El Escorial Monastery
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El Escorial Monastery - by Roger Saenz from Google
Description
El Escorial Monastery (full name: Monasterio y Sitio de El Escorial en Madrid) is an historical Spanish Royal Residence situated just outside of the town of San Lorenzo del Escorial, about 45km northwest of Madrid and at the foot of Mount Abantos in the Sierra de Guadarrama. It was built in the second half of the 16th century under Philip II in Renaissance style with a floor plan in the form of a gridiron (i.e. forming a grid). The complex is gigantic, measuring 224m x 153m, and served multiple purposes as a monastery, royal palace, university, library, museum, and hospital. El Escorial is also the traditional burying place of most Spanish kings in the last 500 years and houses many works from masters such as Titian, El Greco, Tintoretto, Veronese, Velázquez or José de Ribera. The building is also famed for the Royal Library, a real work of art with 40,000 volumes in a heavily decorated 54m-long hall.
Access & Transport
Address: Av Juan de Borbón y Battemberg, s/n, 28200, Madrid The easiest way to get there from Madrid is to drive on the A-6 and then take the M-600 when reaching Guadarrama, or getting on the M-505 just outside the city (around Las Rozas de Madrid). Buses ALSA-661/664 also go to El Escorial in 50' from Moncloa bus station (accessible with metro L3 and L6).
Instructions & Recommendations
We recommend combining this activity with a visit of the Valley of the Fallen (Valle de los Caídos) which is a 20' drive away.
Environmental & Social
We deem this activity marginally negative from an environmental perspective (heating/lighting). Part of the country's cultural, architectural and artistic heritage.
Conclusion
El Escorial isn't on the UNESCO World Heritage list for no reason; the massive complex is awe inspiring when seen from a distance and contains several memorable rooms such as the Library, the Basilica with its beautiful dome and high altar, or the Pantheons that will give you the perfect opportunity to revise your knowledge of Spanish royal genealogy. Highly recommended
Key positive
One of the most impressive libraries in the world
Everything there is monumental
Key negative
Exterior lacks decoration
Too big?
Suitability
Suitable for all ages but best for children aged 10 and above. Accessible for visitors with reduced mobility
About this Rating
TYPE
Onsite
RESEARCHED IN
June 2024
PROVIDER
Koreval
av. transport time:1h 10m
est. visit time:2h 30m
Start of Season 1:Apr, 01
MONDAY -
TUESDAY10:00 - 19:00
WEDNESDAY10:00 - 19:00
THURSDAY10:00 - 19:00
FRIDAY10:00 - 19:00
SATURDAY10:00 - 19:00
SUNDAY10:00 - 19:00
Start of Season 2:Oct, 01
MONDAY -
TUESDAY10:00 - 18:00
WEDNESDAY10:00 - 18:00
THURSDAY10:00 - 18:00
FRIDAY10:00 - 18:00
SATURDAY10:00 - 18:00
SUNDAY10:00 - 18:00