Madrid Excursions
Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial
Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial
The huge granite rectangular edifice, topped with four spiral
towers, is a forbidding sight in the town of San Lorenzo de El
Escorial about 30 miles (50km) northwest of Madrid. The
monastery/church/palace complex was built by Philip II as a
memorial to his father, Charles V, and contains some of El Greco's
and Hieronymus Bosch's artworks. A vaulted library contains a
priceless collection of more than 60,000 ancient books. The
monastery itself houses a wealth of paintings and tapestries, and
the mausoleum beneath the church's altar serves as a burial
place for Spanish kings.
Address: Calle Juan de Borbón y Battemberg;
Telephone: 91 890 5903, or 91 890 5313;
Transport: Bus 661 and 664 from Madrid, or the Madrid-El Escorial train;
Opening time: Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 6pm (closes at 5pm October to March);
Admission: €10 (guided), €8 (unguided), concessions available
