San Lorenzo de El Escorial
Art, nature, history, heritage and gastronomy: In San Lorenzo de El Escorial you can choose from a wide range of enjoyable plans. Considered as the eighth wonder of the world in the 18th century, the Monastery of El Escorial represents a unique cultural asset being an example of the human creative spirit. The Monastery and Site of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site since 1984, offers an attractive tourist attraction for visitors all year round.
Located in the heart of the Sierra de Guadarrama mountain range, just 50 kilometres from Madrid, this town offers visitors an exclusive architectonic heritage, a magnificent natural environment, and a rich cultural offer. In San Lorenzo de El Escorial there is a lot to see and do during 365 days a year: special guided tours, urban and nature routes, exhibitions, concerts, summer courses and much more.... Additionally, there is a wide and diverse range of restaurants and bar where you can taste traditional Madrilenian and Castilian cuisine.
The first historical references to these territories date back to the 12th century when settlers from Segovia, pushed by the Reconquest and the need for land, established themselves on the southern slopes of the Sierra del Guadarrama mountain range.
In 1561, at the same time as the capital of the Spanish monarchy was moved to Madrid, Philip II purchased the lands of La Herrería, La Fresneda, El Campillo, Monasterio and El Escorial, among others, on which he built the Monastery, and whose foundation he entrusted to the Hieronymite monks. In the surrounding area, buildings were built to house trades and provide accommodation for the workers involved in the great work. The Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial is not only considered an architectural jewel, but it is also surrounded by fantasy, mystery and a popular imagination made of legends and stories imprinting on its granite walls.
The best known legend is the medieval one that tells that a gateway to hell was located on the site of the monastery. A nearby mine with deep, dark galleries was the origin of this local legend. Looking at the monastery from above, it is shaped like a grill. A legend says that this shape pays homage to the saint, San Lorenzo, who was burnt to death on a grill. Much similarity has also been found with the layout of the Temple of Solomon. Perhaps the grandeur of this biblical temple inspired Philip II to erect the Monastery of El Escorial.
Enjoy San Lorenzo de El Escorial: "The Majesty of the Haubsburghs in the Sierra of Guadarrama"
San Lorenzo de El Escorial is a destination that perfectly combines history, art, and nature. Its main jewel is the Royal Monastery of El Escorial, an impressive architectural complex that reflects the power and ambition of King Philip II. Declared a World Heritage Site, the Monastery invites you to explore its different spaces, such as the Courtyard of the Kings, the Basilica, and the Pantheon of Kings. But the beauty of San Lorenzo goes beyond its walls. This charming town is full of enchanting corners that will captivate you, and the natural setting in which the Royal Site is located, in the heart of the Sierra de Guadarrama mountains, hides places of great beauty such as the Bosque de la Herrería forest, the Pinar de Abantos pine forest, and the Luis Ceballos Arboretum. In this idyllic setting, we cannot miss the Chair of Philip II, which is said to have been the natural observatory from which the monarch watched the progress of the Monastery's construction. Some experts claim that these granite seats are the remains of an ancient Celtic altar.
The surrounding natural environment, with places like the Bosque de la Herrería and the Pinar de Abantos, offers stunning landscapes and hiking trails to enjoy the outdoors. Don't forget to visit the Interpretation Center and the Royal Coach Houses, which will allow you to immerse yourself in the history and culture of this unique place.
What to do in San Lorenzo de El Escorial
Cultural Tourism
San Lorenzo de El Escorial boasts a rich cultural scene, with a wide range of art and cultural exhibitions, as well as music, theater, and dance performances held at the Teatro Auditorio and the Real Coliseo Carlos III. In terms of festivals and traditions, the Romería de la Virgen de Gracia, declared a Festival of National Tourist Interest, stands out, celebrated on the second weekend of September. Don't miss Holy Week, a Regional Tourist Interest Festival. The Travesía de las Cumbres Escurialenses is a fantastic 22-kilometer hike around the four peaks surrounding San Lorenzo de El Escorial, held on August 15th to commemorate the feast day of Saint Lawrence the Martyr. Christmas is a special time when you can admire the monumental Nativity scene, featuring life-size handcrafted figures and declared a Festival of Tourist Interest. For an unforgettable experience, the Felipe II Train will delight you. Composed of a locomotive and passenger cars from the last century, it travels the Madrid-El Escorial route from Príncipe Pío train station.
Nature Tourism
San Lorenzo de El Escorial is blessed with a privileged natural environment, allowing visitors to enjoy places like the scenic Pinar de Abantos and La Herrería area, a protected natural space located about 2.5 kilometers from the urban center of San Lorenzo de El Escorial. You can also enjoy hiking trails and immerse yourself in the nature surrounding the Monastery. For golf enthusiasts, San Lorenzo offers the privilege of playing in a spectacular setting at the Real Club de Golf "La Herrería".
Gastronomic Tourism
In San Lorenzo de El Escorial, you can savor authentic Madrid and Castilian cuisine. A wide variety of cured meats (Iberian ham, chorizo, cheeses with a designation of origin, etc.), as well as other delicacies such as potato omelette, grilled sweetbreads, and Roman-style squid. Madrid-style cocido (chickpeas, meats, and vegetables), Madrid-style tripe, and garlic soup have their roots in the purest Castilian tradition. You can taste the beef from the Sierra de Guadarrama or roasted lamb and suckling pig. And for dessert, delicious bizcotelas, picatostes, or sponge cakes filled with yolk and dipped in chocolate delight the most discerning palates.
The grandeur of San Lorenzo del Escorial will captivate you at any time of year. Enjoy it!
San Lorenzo de El Escorial
Enjoy the enclave in the heart of the Sierra de Guadarrama mountain range
Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial
Delve into the heart of Spanish history with a visit to the Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, a monumental complex that will leave you breathless. Located in the picturesque town of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, this impressive architectural complex, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, houses a royal palace, a basilica, a pantheon, a library, a school, and a monastery, all in one place.
Built in the 16th century under the visionary King Philip II, El Escorial is a masterpiece of the Spanish Renaissance and a symbol of the power and influence of the Spanish monarchy. Philip II conceived this grandiose project as a royal residence, family pantheon, and center of learning, also celebrating the victory at the Battle of Saint Quentin.
Located at the foot of the majestic Mount Abantos, El Escorial was designed by architects Juan Bautista de Toledo and Juan de Herrera, who captured their genius in every corner of the complex. The Herrerian style, characterized by its geometric rigor and sobriety, is evident in the imposing façade and in each of the interior spaces.
The Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial is a true museum that houses an impressive art collection:
Hapsburg Palace: Tour the royal apartments and the Battle Room, and admire masterpieces of Spanish, Italian, Venetian, and Flemish painting.
Bourbon Palace: Admire the elegance of its rooms, adorned with tapestries by Goya and Bayeu, and the majestic Villanueva staircase.
Library: Immerse yourself in knowledge among its more than 40,000 volumes and admire the Tibaldi frescoes that decorate its vault.
Basilica: Be awestruck by the grandeur of its dome, the choir and main altarpiece, and the royal mausoleums of Charles I and Philip II.
Royal Pantheons: Descend into the crypt to see the tombs of the kings of Spain and admire the delicate detail of the Pantheon of Infants.
Chapterhouse: Enjoy an exceptional art gallery, with works by Titian, Velázquez, and Van Dyck, among other great masters.
Visiting the Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial is a journey through time, an opportunity to admire the grandeur of Spanish history and art. Don't miss this unique experience.
Cuelgamuros Valley (Valley of the Fallen)
Royal House of Infant
The Casita del Infante, also known as Casita de Arriba, is an elegant neoclassical building built between 1771 and 1773 by the architect Juan de Villanueva, commissioned by Charles III for his son, Infante Gabriel de Borbón. Its main purpose was to serve as a place of recreation and relaxation, especially for enjoying chamber music, one of Infante Gabriel's great passions.
The building has a square floor plan and is constructed of granite, with a sober and harmonious main façade, featuring a portico of Ionic columns. The central hallway is covered by an octagonal dome, and the rooms are arranged around a central hall designed for music.
It is surrounded by Italian-style gardens on descending terraces, designed so that music could be heard both inside and outside. The gardens were completed in 1774 by the Florentine Luis Lemmi, following Villanueva's plan, overlooking the natural surroundings of La Herrería.
Infante Gabriel himself, a great musical enthusiast and talented musician, even performed works by his teacher, Father Antonio Soler, during the inauguration of the Casita del Infante.
The original decoration was lost, mainly due to Napoleonic plunder; the current decor dates from the reigns of Charles IV and Ferdinand VII.
During the Franco regime, it was restored to serve as the residence of Juan Carlos de Borbón, then a student, and his bedroom and office are still preserved.
In 1988, King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia hosted a luncheon here in honor of Queen Elizabeth II of England and the Duke of Edinburgh.
The Casita del Infante is an architectural and scenic gem, less well-known than the Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo, but of great historical and artistic value, ideal for those seeking to learn about the palatial and cultural environment of the Spanish royal family in the 18th century.
Carlos III Royal Coliseum
It is the oldest and most beautiful theatres in Spain. It is also one of the few 18th-century court theatres that have prevailed in Europe, and the first covered theatre built in Spain.
Designed by the architect Jaime Marquet, it was later renovated by Juan de Villanueva, and during the 18th century it hosted theatre performances organised for the Court and for such prominent guests as Francisco de Goya and Manuel Godoy.
After years in which it hardly staged any shows, the 20th century gave the theatre back the splendour it deserved, mainly due to Jacinto Benavente, winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature. Although we will have to wait until 2010 to be able to see a renovated theatre, and with proposals for all audiences, which have survived to the present day, as it is currently the only theatre in operation.
Throughout the year it offers an intense programme with dance, theatre and music shows, as well as free dramatised visits to discover the history of this heritage jewel located in San Lorenzo de El Escorial, a World Heritage Site of the Community of Madrid.
Every Tuesday and Thursday at 12:00h you will have a real opportunity to take the free dramatised visit that his majesty the
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