Cultural surroundings :
El Escorial Monastery

Mankind heritage Monument, the Monastery of El Escorial was the political centre of Felipe II Empire, were he organised his Palace and library, as well as the mortuary, both for him, his parents - Carlos I and Isabel de Portugal - , and his relatives and successors. The King built an enormous basilica and founded a Monastery.

El Escorial Monastery

The site construction was initiated in 1562 and was finished in 1584, according to Juan Bautista de Toledo and Juan de Herrera's projects.

The later also built the two "Casas de Oficios", in front of the northern front of the Monastery, and his successor, Francisco de Mora, the "Casa de la Campaña".

Kings Mortuary

Inside the king's mortuary, decorated with golden bronzes and marbles, monarchs and queens rest, from Carlos I till today, with the exceptions of Felipe V and Fernando VI.

Both the Monastery and the palace areas that El Escorial shelters were decorated by Italian painters, standing out Zuccaro, Tibaldi and Cambiasso.

Battles Room

View of El Escorial