El Escorial, Administrative municipality in Sierra del Guadarrama, Spain
El Escorial is a municipality in the Sierra del Guadarrama within the Community of Madrid, sitting at 909 meters (2,982 feet) elevation. The settlement spreads across mountain terrain and residential districts along the southern slope of the Sierra.
The municipality developed in the shadow of the royal monastery palace built by Philip II during the 16th century in the neighboring settlement. Its current administrative form emerged with the organization of Spanish autonomous regions.
The town shares its name and heritage with neighboring San Lorenzo de El Escorial, where the royal monastery complex has shaped the identity of the area. Visitors walking the streets today notice the mountain character and the layout typical of Sierra communities.
The municipality is reached from Madrid heading northwest through the Sierra foothills. Visitors will find residential areas at different elevations and should be prepared for slopes and inclines throughout the streets.
The municipality belongs simultaneously to three regional associations coordinating mountain development, social services, and waste management. This multiple membership reflects its position between the capital and high mountain terrain.
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