San Lorenzo de El Escorial
Sierra de Gredos
El Escorial
Sierra de Guadarrama
10 August 1557: victory of San Quentin (St. Lawrence Day; Día de San
Lorenzo)
1563 – 1584: Juan de Herrera (1530 – 1597), principal architect: also
Toledo alcázar, Valladolid cathedral, Aranjuez palace, Sevilla’s Casa
Longa (Exchange)
Founded by Felipe II (lived in it 14 years; died there in 1598)
43 km. NW of Madrid
160 km. of corridors
Palace, basilica church, monastery, school, library, art gallery,
mausoleum, gardens, patios, vistas
Renaissance style: severe simplicity, lack of ornamentation, Roman
forms, fortress feel, monumental grandeur, austere rooms
Royal burial vault (Panteón de los Reyes): all kings and royal families
interred therein
El Escorial seen from town of El Escorial
El Escorial has always
been a “tourist” / court
town.
Common scene in downtown El
Escorial
El Escorial (western façade)
Eastern façade and
formal gardens
Neoclassical nave of the
Basilica.
Baroque high altar (retablo
mayor)
Room in Art Gallery
Stairway leading to
monastery used by monks
Bed in room of Felipe II
Queen’s room is on
opposite side of the
palace.
Stairwell leading down to
crypt.
Principal materials: black
marble and gold lettering
Crypt is directly below the
high altar.
Crypt with coffins of Spanish kings
Tombs for members of royal families