Madrid Tourist Guide: El Escorial - Travel & Discover

El Escorial was the historical home of the King of Spain a long time ago, but currently has become the residence to an order of monks. It's situated in the northwest of the city. It's been developed into a beautiful and interesting attraction, not only in this capital city of Spain, but to the entire country. The El Escorial was specially made by King Felipe II as a tribute to Spain's devout Catholic devotion. This encompasses two architectural complexes, the San Lorenzo de El Escorial itself and the Gran Gilia de las Fresneda. This shows the historical and cultural significance it possessed, besides featuring a brilliant collection of art. The highlights of the huge complex contain the marble Pantheon de los Reyes, the tomb of Spain's kings and their families, and the elegant basilica. This ensemble today, constructed of bluish granite from Guadarrama, was begun in 1563 by Juan Batista de Toledo and completed in 1584 by Juan de Herrera. The period of its construction corresponded to the years of the Catholic Reformation after the Council of Trent, and the building's astonishing severity and sobriety were indicative of both the religious spirit of Spain and of Felipe II's own fervent Catholicism. The name King's Courtyard is derived from the six large statues of the monarchs of Judah that decorate the temple façade. The façade of the basilica is an immense unadorned wall of granite, with two towers at the ends. Over its history, the Escorial has had a variety of functions. Part monastery, part royal palace, part museum, part mausoleum, it's also served as a shrine, a school, and home to one of the world's greatest libraries. The vast building, with its thousands of rooms, is surrounded by legend, much of it linked to the mysterious character of Felipe, the most powerful monarch of his time. The world-renowned city was declared a historical and artistic monument in 1971. Thirteen years later, in 1984, UNESCO recognized it as a World Heritage Site. you