San Lorenzo de El Escorial
The Monasterio Real de San Lorenzo de El Escorial (usually known simply as El Escorial) was built during the reign of King Felipe II between 1563 and 1584, the architects being Juan Bautista de Toledo and then Juan de Herrera. The ground plan of this UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site resembles a gridiron, on which the martyr San Lorenzo was supposed to have been roasted to death. Considered to be one of the greatest masterpieces of the Spanish Renaissance, it combines various functions: palace, monastery and royal pantheon (all of Spain's kings from Carlos V onwards lie here, with two exceptions). Located at over 1,000 metres above sea level, it apparently includes 16 patios, 15 cloisters, 88 fountains, 13 small chapels, 86 stairs, nine towers, 1,200 doors and 2,673 windows; in other words, it is vast. Severe and sober are the adjectives that spring to mind when viewing this somewhat intimidating building. The well-tended formal gardens on two of its sides do help to relieve the austerity, however.
San Lorenzo de El Escorial
The Monasterio Real de San Lorenzo de El Escorial (usually known simply as El Escorial) was built during the reign of King Felipe II between 1563 and 1584, the architects being Juan Bautista de Toledo and then Juan de Herrera. The ground plan of this UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site resembles a gridiron, on which the martyr San Lorenzo was supposed to have been roasted to death. Considered to be one of the greatest masterpieces of the Spanish Renaissance, it combines various functions: palace, monastery and royal pantheon (all of Spain's kings from Carlos V onwards lie here, with two exceptions). Located at over 1,000 metres above sea level, it apparently includes 16 patios, 15 cloisters, 88 fountains, 13 small chapels, 86 stairs, nine towers, 1,200 doors and 2,673 windows; in other words, it is vast. Severe and sober are the adjectives that spring to mind when viewing this somewhat intimidating building. The well-tended formal gardens on two of its sides do help to relieve the austerity, however.