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Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial
CultureVisit: ~150 min
A complex commissioned by Philip II after the victory at Saint-Quentin and built between 1563 and 1584, first under Juan Bautista de Toledo and then Juan de Herrera. It brings together a monastery, palace, basilica, college and library in a single granite building of austere lines. Highlights include the basilica, the Library with its painted vault and the Royal Pantheon, where most Spanish monarchs since Charles I are laid to rest. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Add it to your trip on Wanloria →Things to do at Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial: 3 missions
- Explore the basilica and the LibraryGo into the basilica and look at its dome, the work of Herrera. Then go up to the Library and look at the barrel vault painted in fresco.
- Go down to the Royal PantheonDescend to the crypt where the kings of Spain have been buried since Charles I. Notice how the sarcophagi are arranged in marble and bronze niches.
- Look at the main façade from the esplanadeStand in front of the west façade and take in its sober granite geometry and the central tower of the basilica. Look for a frame that takes in the whole building.
Near Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial
Jardín de los Frailes151 m awayPlaza de la Constitución (San Lorenzo)265 m awayLa Herrería Forest901 m awayCasita del Infante993 m awayCasita del Príncipe1.1 km awayChurch of San Bernabé1.8 km away
Frequently asked questions
How much time do you need for Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial?
Allow about 2 h 30 min for the visit.