Location: San Lorenzo de El Escorial
Top Things to do in San Lorenzo de El Escorial
Top Restaurants in San Lorenzo de El Escorial
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The 10 Best Sights & Landmarks in San Lorenzo de El Escorial, Community of Madrid
San Lorenzo de El Escorial is home to the Monastery of El Escorial, a World Heritage site. This huge complex was built as a monument to commemorate the Spanish victory over the French in the battle of Saint Quentin. Construction lasted 21 years and when it was finished in 1584, the Monastery was the largest building in the world, with 24 km (14.9 mi) of corridors. The building includes a library, Kings' Courtyard, Basilica, and the Palace of Felipe II. The Kings' Pantheon is the burial place for most of the kings of Spain since Carlos I. The Monastery is decorated with works by the most prominent Italian and Spanish painters of the time. Look for works by Titian, Bosch, El Greco, and Velázquez, especially El Greco’s painting of "The Martyrdom of St. Maurice.”
Restaurants in San Lorenzo de El Escorial
1. Panteon de los Reyes
2. Real Biblioteca del Monasterio de San Lorenzo de El Escorial
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 27 reviews
3. Real Sitio de San Lorenzo de El Escorial
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,275 reviews
Reviewed By tizS_11 - Rome, Italy
I took the bus 661from Moncloa Bus Terminal, and then walked 3’ to El Escorial, and entered at 10am when it opened. The place got VERY crowded so I was glad I came early. I rented the audio guide, clicked the option “3-hour audio guide extended tour” with the most perfect itinerary and excellent description of everything. You will visit: -the amazing library -the impressive church (Renaissance artists from Italy such as Federico Zuccari and Pellegrino Tibaldi were hired to decorate its interior, and there is even a marble crucifix by Cellini!) -the main cloister with the famous paining on the ceiling by Luca Giordano with the “Triumph of the Habsburgs,” the collection of paintings in the “capitular chamber” (Titian, El Greco, etc.) -the royal apartments (where the famous Garden of Earthly Delights by Bosch used to hang together with some other 20 paintings by Bosch) -the mausolea with the royal tombs (including the tomb of Philip II and Charles V) -the hall of battles -the Bourbon apartments with an amazing collection of tapestries (the products of Royal Tapestry Factory in Madrid that you must visit!), -and the gardens. I took beautiful photos of the exterior of the Escorial. No photos allowed inside! You will explore the history of Spain’s Golden Age under the powerful Philip II, also known as “the Prudent.” He has great artistic taste and was the most influential ruler of the world during the Counter-Reformation. After or before the visit do not forget to have some Spanish food in the nearby “Tan Ricamente” as the ladies there cook themselves and it seems like eating at home.
4. Valley of the Fallen
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,631 reviews
The Valley of the Fallen is a Spanish monumental complex built between 1940 and 1958 and located in the valley of Cuelgamuros, in the municipality of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, in the Community of Madrid. It is located in the Sierra de Guadarrama, 9.5 km north of the monastery of El Escorial.
Reviewed By BernieH001 - Ennis, Ireland
We stopped here on our way from Toledo to Segovia and were impressed by the enormous scale of the monument. You drive in approx 5km from the entrance gate and are assaulted by the sheer enormity of this place. The huge granite cross built on the mountain (apparently the largest in the world), the Pieta and the enormous basilica. There is something eerie and disturbing about the entirely underground basilica built into the mountain and the gigantic angles watching over everyone. The Valley is the resting place for over 40,000 people who perished during the civil war and up until recently also was home to Franco's grave. Unfortunately no information is available at the monument so do your research before you arrive. This is well worth a trip from Madrid.
5. Casita de Infante
6. Basilica San Lorenzo
7. Ermita De La Virgen De Gracia
8. Lonja del Monasterio
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 9 reviews
