Ranking Three Spanish towns, among the most touristic in the world
Leisure The Felipe II Train, a trip to the Madrid Court of the Golden Age
Sheltered by the last eastern foothills of the Sierra de Guadarrama, the Madrid town of San Lorenzo de El Escorial did not achieve its
independence
until the 19th century.
Its importance shines from four centuries before.
It began in 1558, when
Felipe II
appointed a commission to locate a place to erect a monastery.
It was made up of architects, stonemasons, doctors, religious and in which, according to certain sources, there was no shortage of alchemists and necromancers.
They were looking for a place that would satisfy the superstitious belief of the monarch, who wanted to build a great temple, just like the
biblical King Solomon
, to plug the access to hell.
That is why it was necessary to refine it on the spot in the Madrid mountains.
Once located,
the architect Juan de Herrera
, author of the project, began some works that lasted until 1584.
Interior of the famous Royal Monastery of the town.SHUTTERSTOCK
Until that date, the monarch's 'excursions' to the nearby area of
the Chair of Felipe II,
so called because of the seats carved into the rock, which tradition says were for the king to settle in, are known.
From there he saw the progress of the works of what would be the largest building in Christendom.
It is not the place here to recount a visit to what was called
the Eighth Wonder of the World
, although it is to recommend his visit.
Five centuries later, around the monastery are preserved the buildings that housed the service of this monastery, which was also a royal palace and basilica.
Its strong
granite constructions
, together with
the little houses of the Prince and the Infante,
make up a monumental complex that has not lost its personality.
The so-called train of Felipe II.ALSA
Above the historic houses stands
the town of San Lorenzo,
one of the liveliest in the Madrid mountains.
Floridablanca and Reina Victoria streets and Jacinto de Benavente
and Constitución
squares make up an obligatory route where the most difficult thing is choosing the place to stop for the unavoidable snack.
Outside the farmhouse, the town treasures places that must be known.
The first is the
Bosque de la Herrería,
at the top of which is the aforementioned Chair of Felipe II and which is reached by a path of just over a kilometer.
The pine forests and paths of the Abantos peak are other recommended hiking destinations.
Like the climb to the
Rubens Cross,
so called because the Flemish painter climbed up to where it rises to contemplate the Monastery and draw a picture of it.
PRACTICAL GUIDE
WHERE TO
SLEEP
At the
Florida
hotel , a local classic.
WHERE TO EAT.
At
Asador del Rey,
one of the most popular restaurants in the municipality.
MORE INFORMATION
.
At the San Lorenzo de El Escorial Tourist Office.
You can follow
El Mundo Viajes
on
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and
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