The Escorial complex (El Escorial - Spanish), which brings together on its territory both "a palace for God" and "a hovel for kings", is a place for Spain both iconic and highly ambiguous. The full majestic name of the landmark is San Lorenzo del Escorial. Among the "award" documents for exclusivity is the legal right to consider itself part of the UNESCO World Heritage Collection.
There are no architectural analogues of this masterpiece in the world. The Spanish King Philip IIΙΙ created his brainchild by all accounts exclusive, filled with mystical vein, unique in its conception, extraordinary in its implementation. Posterity can only marvel at the scope of his imagination and patience in the realisation of his dream.
But tourists do not come here as willingly as to other objects, characterised by a less gloomy and less mysterious temperament. Those travellers who dare to see this secular and religious creation at the same time, fall under the magic of mystery and grandeur of the Escorial at once. Was it conceivable to collect so many jewels in one place on Earth? This is the question everyone asks here. And then they greedily rush to study everything, absorb, memorise, feel.
The spirit and flesh of the royal residence
About the charms and oddities of the royal possessions in the town of Escorial it is time to write a novel and sing hymns of praise to its impressiveness. Philip IIΙΙ once thought out and realised everything, but in reality the integrity of the picture is blown into "puzzles". You have to study it in fragments.
To set yourself the task to see everything inside the complex at once is not worth even trying. It will take more than one day, unless, of course, "galloping across Europe". Taking into account the experience of tourists who have already been to the palace and other buildings, a tour of 5-6 hours is a good idea.
Royal Tomb
The second name of the pompous, full of luxury crypt - Pantheon of Kings. Under the vaults of the tomb rests the ashes of almost all the rulers of Spain. The atmosphere here is filled with a little heart-pressing sadness. The notes of sadness are not able to take away even the shining splendour of marble, bronze and jasper decorations. The mournful rooms are divided into 2 parts: the section for adult monarchs and the Pantheon for the little infant heirs who found peace near their mothers, who once gave birth to them, but never had time to take their place on the cherished throne.
Once in a grandiose tomb found its last shelter "ideologist" of the construction of royal choruses in the Escorial, the father of Philip ΙΙΙ - the Spanish ruler Charles V. The diligent son of Charles V fulfilled the order of his honourable parent exactly, except, of course, for the fact that he brought into it his own views on the world and the surrounding society. Philip ΙΙΙ pathologically disliked noisy secular bustle, piously honoured religious spirituality, was not a fan of neither opulent chambers for the aristocratic elite, nor idle balls, where ladies and gentlemen in expensive clothes demonstrated their importance to society, nor empty conversations about anything and everything at once. The "master" of the construction spent his last days in the walls of his modest house. Was buried later, like other monarchs, in the Pantheon of Kings.
Museum institutions
The duo of museums in the spaces of the royal palace will attract those tourists who are not strangers to research, cognitive enthusiasm. Fans of rare paintings will also lose speech from the magnificent collection. In the exposition of the first institution preference is given to utensils, once used in the creation of the tomb: tools of masters, models of future objects, projects, drawings, sketches.
Another institution is entirely devoted to the originals of such brush gurus as Titian, Bosch, Coelho, Van Dyck, Velázquez, El Greco, Tintoretto, Veronese. Lint-free one-sided rugs based on designs by Rubens and Goya are also good. Ancient geographical maps are interesting, comparing them with modern versions is like taking a ride in a time machine to the past. The marble crypt-mausoleum with the remains of the monarchs completes all this amazing collection of masterpieces of art.
Photo: Xauxa Hakan Svensson. Source: wikipedia
El Real Cathedral
San Lorenzo del Escorial was conceived by King Philip ΙΙΙ in 1557, the work began in 1563 and took 2 decades to complete. The impetus came from the victories of the Spanish crown on the battlefield. The monarch considered it a grave sin to have to destroy the monastery of St Lawrence, which had been damaged during the battles with the French, and considered it his duty to erect a new grandiose holy monastery on these lands.
The massive, breathtakingly beautiful Catholic cathedral captivates the imagination without any effort, just by taking a glimpse of it. In the "piggy bank" of interior decoration: an endless scatter of colourful frescoes made by old masters of Spanish and Venetian origin, four dozen richly decorated altars, snow-white kneeling sculptures of monarchs made of marble, artistic paintings of religious themes. In the decoration of the cathedral was used gold of high standard, precious and semi-precious stones.
Monastery Book Depository
Gives a head start to the Apostolic Library in Vatican in terms of the value of the collected printed and manuscript editions. On the shelves you will find manuscripts of St Teresa herself, St Augustine, Alfonso the Wise. Many artefacts were written as far back as the Middle Ages. Religious codices, historical and geographical treatises, collections, catalogues, eastern talmuds, manuscripts and almanacs.
The library "chest" contains some 40,000 of the rarest specimens of human wisdom. And the zest of this richest in the number of book relics of the institution lurks in the fact that all its assets stand to visitors spines inside. According to scholars, this is the way to preserve their original appearance in the best preserved condition.
External charms of the monastery complex
In addition to seeing the inner treasures of the architectural ensemble, you will undoubtedly be lucky to get acquainted with the curiosities of the local park space. Palace plantations with exotic flora are worth looking for in the south and east of the territory. The picturesque fountains will fascinate, white swans moving leisurely on the smooth surface of the marvellous pond, exquisite statues and sculptures of living plants will delight.
Photo: Arturo R Montesinos. Source: Flickr
A practical guide to visiting Escorial
Once you're sure that the decision to visit the stunning architectural complex is ripe and requires immediate action, it's worth learning more about the intricacies of this mini-voyage. The memo is ready, the only thing left to do is to take note of it:
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The location of this, without exaggeration, creative masterpiece is the foothills of the Sierra de Guadarrama mountain peak.
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The journey time from Madrid to the royal castle will take approximately 1 hour, a distance of 42 kilometres.
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Transport options: buses, taxis, electric trains, car hire, private tour with a travelling companion."
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If the choice is public transport, the cost of one-way tickets can range from 15 to 20 euros. Taxi service, carsharing, will certainly cost much more expensive, but it will be more comfortable.
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The bus station in the town of Escorial is more rationally located for this journey than the railway station. From the train you will involuntarily have to walk for another 15-20 minutes, or even patiently wait for a local bus, although its stop is located 20 metres from the station platform.
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On the territory of the royal ensemble El Escorial you will have to move only on foot, tourists should wear comfortable shoes, those who are not ready for long walks should not plan this excursion..
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The local climate is unexpectedly harsh, contrary to the aspirations of King Philip IIΙΙ. Penetrating winds do not want to leave the monarch's fiefdom neither in winter nor in summer, even when in the whole of Spain the summer heat is typical for the country, in Escorial it is not felt at all.
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The staff is strict, pedantic, not ready to compromise, there may be language barriers, the staff speaks fluent Spanish only.
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Large bags, tourist luggage, bulky outerwear for the duration of the tour will be stored in lockers, this type of service is paid, the cost of the service - 1 euro.
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Inside prohibited any kind of filming, photo, video is impossible. Clever tourists, for whom there are no prohibitions and barriers, sneak a couple of shots to make still manage, but officially it is not welcome here.
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No competition with other lovers of famous sights does not await travellers here. Visitors seem to disappear into the ghostly haze of walls and vaults, all the time there is a feeling that you are walking through the royal apartments completely alone.
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The mode of reception of visitors all year round, but the closing time of the complex varies depending on the season: from April to September you can admire the unearthly beauty of the attraction until 20-00, from October to March only until 18-00. In the morning, the caretakers of the institution open the bronze gates for entry from 10-00, regardless of the weather and air temperature..
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Long walks can cause a brutal appetite in tourists, but it's not a problem. A cosy restaurant with a quite democratic price tag and tasty hearty dishes is waiting for all the hungry downstairs.
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Guests do not go home without original purchases, a look in the local souvenir shops is a must, the goods are always exclusive, many find something interesting for home interiors in the homeland..
The world does not stand still, there are periodic changes and in the life of the Escorial Monastery in Spain. In order to keep abreast of these changes and not to make a mess of your trip, the official website of the royal fiefdom will be a great help. Up-to-date information is published here in free access, the Spaniards are proud of their national masterpiece and welcome those who want to see it for themselves..
A visit to the town of Escorial for a couple of days is not a bad adventure. There are plenty of hotels overlooking the castle near the chic, interesting and mesmerising attraction. The beauty of this choice lies in the fact that hotel complexes either occupy colourful old buildings themselves, or are stylised as such. So travellers can live in a "royal" place for two days, feeling the charm of aristocratic luxury. One has to start or enjoy continuing such habits at some point.
