San Lorenzo De El Escorial: Monastery, Landscape and History

The Escurial Monastery is located in San Lorenzo De El Escorial, at the foot of the Sierra de Guadarrama, north of Madrid. The Monastery and Site of the Escurial has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1984.

Culture and History

The Monastery and Site of the Escurial comprises a monastery, a church, a royal palace, a school, a seminary and a royal library. These components are arranged around eleven main courtyards and three service courtyards. The Casita del Infante is located in the Dehesa de la Herrería, west of the Monasterio. In 1771, it was commissioned from the architect Juan de Villanueva for Infante Gabriel de Borbón, the son of Carlos III. The gardens of the Casita del Infante offer a view of the Monasterio.

Construction of the Real Coliseo Carlos III began in 1770 and was practically completed by May 1771. The theatre was restored between 1974 and 1979; since then, prominent figures from the theatre and music have appeared on its stage.

The cultural history of the place also includes the Romería de Nuestra Señora de la Virgen de Gracia. Since 1988, it has been classified as a Fiesta de Interés Turístico Nacional and takes place on the second Sunday in September. The main procession sets off on a Sunday from the Lonja of the Real Monasterio with decorated carriages and ends at the chapel in the Bosque de La Herrería.

Landscape and Trails

La Herrería has been designated a Paraje Pintoresco since 1961. The route to the Silla de Felipe II is 7 km long, takes about one hour as a round trip and has a low level of difficulty. The Silla de Felipe II offers a spectacular panoramic view.

Nature and Discoveries

Insectpark is an environmental education centre in the pine forests of Abantos and the La Herrería area, with an impressive collection of living and naturalised microfauna. Insectpark offers activities for children, families and schools.

In the Bosque de la Herrería, theatrical tours and family excursions in the town or in nature are offered with expert staff; these provide information about natural and cultural monuments, history and traditions. In San Lorenzo de El Escorial, guided tours with official tourism guides and figures from bygone eras covering the 16th and 18th centuries are also offered.

The nearest railway station is located in neighbouring El Escorial and can be reached from San Lorenzo de El Escorial by city bus route L1. If you are looking for a holiday apartment in San Lorenzo De El Escorial, accommodation websites allow you to compare travel dates, accommodation categories and cancellation policies. Depending on your preferred focus, you can consider culture, landscape, trails and activities for children as different criteria in your personal planning.

Other destinations on the same level include Cubas De La Sagra, Valdemorillo, Somosaguas, Villavieja Del Lozoya, San Martín De La Vega, Aldea Del Fresno, Olmeda De Las Fuentes and Robledillo De La Jara.

For the higher-level travel overview: Madrid.