Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial

Viewing it from a distance, visitors can appreciate why this monastery was dubbed the Eighth Wonder of the World. Its size and the purity and sobriety of its design embody the ideological and cultural aspirations of the Spanish Golden Age. It was the most important brainchild of the most important king of his time: Philip II. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984.

Its austere grandeur never ceases to impress visitors from the moment they step inside. In the centre stands the basilica, an icon of Spanish Renaissance architecture. Across from the Courtyard of Kings is the Royal Library, with a long, vaulted ceiling painted by Tibaldi. Another large vault, decorated by Giordano, is a surprising sight on the way to the Chapter Rooms. Paintings by Titian, Velázquez and El Greco are displayed there... But this is only the beginning – there are still the cosy Casitas de Campo and their gardens to visit.

The Royal Monastery has been the setting for films such as ‘La Conjura de El Escorial’ and ‘La princesa de Éboli’.