Escorial Monastery
Calle Juan de Borb n y Battemberg s/n, 28200 San Lorenzo de El Escorial (Madrid)
Description:
The monastery of Escorial was built by Philip II in the XVI century on the day of the memory of St. Lawrence. The plans were massive: to build a monastery so that it embodied the full power of the Spanish monarchy. But, on the other hand, the king sought solitude, so he decided to settle down surrounded by monks. He said he wanted to build a palace for God and a shack for the king.
The cathedral symbolizes the king’s faith in religion, which should be guided in all political actions.
The monastery was built for 21 years by architects Juan Batista de Toledo and Juan de Herrere. Only the best materials from different cities were used. The architectural complex of square shape in the style of archaized Renaissance includes a church, a monastery, a palace with courtyards in each building. The monastery contains many works of Spanish and European painters, many books and manuscripts.