• Monasterio del Escorial

The 16th century residence of the King of Spain in the town of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, 45 km northwest of Madrid.
This large complex of Renaissance buildings consists of a monastery, a Royal palace with an impressive basilica in its center, and a royal underground burial pantheon of the kings of Spain.

Also, part of the complex, an impressive 16th – 18th century royal library with more than 40,000 volumes, architectural museum, large collection of religious relics, and spectacular palace gardens.

The Royal Basilica with its large dome and impressive naves is magnificently decorated, with frescoes, beautiful bronze sculptures, and great paintings by the like of Velazquez, Titian, Luca Giordano, Tibaldi, Zuccari, and others.

Next to the basilica, a courtyard surrounded by galleries decorated with various impressive frescoes, and the House of the King with the impressive Hall of Battles and the Royal Apartments of Philip II.

Also in the palace a Royal Gallery home to a collection of paintings by German, Italian, and Spanish masters, including Titian, El Greco, Velázquez, Bernini, and others.

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Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial near Madrid, Spain. View of the royal library inside El Escorial

Luscious green garden at the Royal Palace, Monasterio del Escorial at San Lorenzo near Madrid, Spain