El Escorial Monastery

El Escorial Monastery

Introduction Its full name is the Royal Monastery of Saint Lawrence of El Escorial. Ordered by King Philip II, it was completed in 1563. This granite complex combines a monastery, church, royal palace, and mausoleum. Its architectural style reflects the power of Spain’s Austrian Habsburg dynasty, and its magnificence is truly breathtaking. It also serves as the burial site of all Spanish monarchs from Charles I to the present day. If you're looking for the soul of Castile, this monastery is the place.

This rectangular building is surrounded by countless corridors and rooms, featuring 14 courtyards, over a thousand doors, two thousand windows, and four corner towers.

The main façade of the building is on the west side and has three grand portals. The central portal houses a statue of Saint Lawrence and the royal coat of arms of Philip II. This portal leads to the “King’s Courtyard,” and beyond it lies the magnificent basilica. Statues of David and Solomon stand in the church’s vestibule, and the dome reaches 72 meters high, modeled after St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. The murals and ceiling paintings inside the church are the works of Lucas Jordán, Luca Cambiaso, and Pellegrino Tibaldi. The church also contains the Royal Chapel and the cenotaphs of Philip II and Charles I.

Walking along the cloisters and passing through the “Courtyard of the Evangelists,” you will reach the monastery. The main staircase of the monastery is the work of Juan de Herrera. The vaults above the stone steps feature murals by Lucas Jordán, while the sacristy and oratory house paintings by Titian, El Greco, Ribera, Velázquez, and Tintoretto.

The rooms of the successive kings have been preserved in their original condition, offering a glimpse into the distinct personalities of each ruler. The room of Philip II is very austere, while the palaces of the Bourbon kings Charles III and Charles IV are extremely luxurious.

Madrid, Spain