Tours to San Lorenzo de El Escorial from Madrid culminates into a spiritual journey when one visits the Real Monasterio de San Lorenzo de El Escorial.
San Lorenzo de El Escorial is a small town near the Real Monasterio de San Lorenzo de El Escorial. The San Lorenzo de El Escorial is located 54 kilometers from Madrid and offers a splendid getaway from the busy life of Madrid.
Getting to San Lorenzo de El Escorial
Getting to San Lorenzo de El Escorial from Madrid is easy and convenient. San Lorenzo de El Escorial can be reached by car, train and by bus. The Cercanias C-8a train provide frequent services in Madrid, forming an easy mode of conveyance to San Lorenzo de El Escorial. These trains depart at regular intervals from the Atocha and the Chamartin stations in Madrid. One can also avail Herranz bus numbered 661 and 664 from the Moncloa bus station in Madrid. If you are hiring a car from Madrid to San Lorenzo de El Escorial, it is better to take the N-VI route, which would take around 50 minutes to reach San Lorenzo de El Escorial.
What to see in San Lorenzo de El Escorial
Although the road to San Lorenzo de El Escorial itself is a true revelation of nature's bounty, a lot remains to be explored in the inner precincts of the town of San Lorenzo de El Escorial.
- Real Monasterio de San Lorenzo de El Escorial
The Real Monasterio de San Lorenzo de El Escorial monastery around which the town is built is the true repository of the 'herreriano' architectural style prevalent during the reign of King Philip II. The monastery was started under the supervision of Juan Bautista de Toledo but was completed by Juan de Herrera.
It was built in the later half of the 16th century to mark the victory of King Philip II in the battle of San Quentin over the French troops. The structure is characterized by towers on all the
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four corners of the monastery with magnificent interior that is enhanced by unique pieces of artwork. The library in the monastery houses over 50,000 volumes of books, ancient manuscripts, diaries of St. Teresa of Avila and the codex of Aureus. Apart from the books, what is worth scanning through in the library is the richly decorated ceiling that is said to have been painted by the disciple of Michelangelo, Pellegrino Tibaldi.
The walls are decorated with tapestries that are woven with great dexterity depicting the works of art by artists like Goya, Rubens, El Greco and many more.
The basilica in the monastery depicts heavenly elements that add to the spiritual fervor of the monastery. 'The Martyrdom of St. Lawrence' is another eye catching portrayal on the fresco of the basilica that showcases the gruesome death of the saint having been roasted alive.
- Royal Pantheon in Real Monasterio de San Lorenzo de El Escorial
More than its architecture, the monastery in San Lorenzo de El Escorial is known for the tombs of some of the most important monarchs of Spain like Carlos V, who was the father of Philip II and also the Holy Roman Emperor.
'The Royal Pantheon' forms an integral part of the Real Monasterio de San Lorenzo de El Escorial that houses the remains of the monarchs since the reign of Carlos I, excepting Felipe V, Amadeus of Savoy and Ferdinand VI. Queen mothers whose sons ruled over the country were also buried here, while the other queens along with their children have been buried separately in the Panteón de los Infantes. The 26 different tombs in 'The Royal Pantheon' are worth having a look at. Richly decorated, these marble and bronze tombs add to the beauty and the grandeur of the place.
- The museum in View
The Museos Nuevos or the New Museum is another important aspect of the San Lorenzo de El Escorial. It houses some of the most beautiful paintings of David, Ribera, Rubens, Velázquez, El Greco, Tintoretto and many others.
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