Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial
Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, Renaissance monastery complex in San Lorenzo de El Escorial, Spain.
San Lorenzo de El Escorial is a monastery, royal palace and basilica in the town of the same name, about 45 km northwest of Madrid. The gray granite facade stretches nearly 200 m and encloses several courtyards, gardens and symmetrically arranged wings.
King Philip II began construction in 1563 to celebrate victory over France and to create a royal burial site. The work lasted more than two decades and combined religious, royal and academic functions under one roof.
The name comes from Saint Lawrence, a Christian martyr to whom the building was dedicated. Today travelers visit the library, basilica and royal chambers, while monks continue their daily prayers in the quiet courtyards.
Guided tours show the main rooms and explain the layout of the different areas. Some stairs and narrow passages can be difficult for wheelchair users, while the main courtyards and church are easier to reach.
The floor plan resembles the shape of an upside-down grill, the tool used to martyr Saint Lawrence. This symbolic design is reflected in the strict geometric order that runs through all parts of the complex.
Location: San Lorenzo de El Escorial
Inception: 1563
Founders: Philip II of Spain
Architectural style: Renaissance architecture
Length: 192.5 m
Width: 152 m
Accessibility: Wheelchair limited access
Part of: Monastery and Site of the Escurial, Madrid, Patrimonio Nacional
Website: https://entradas.patrimonionacional.es/es-ES/comprar-entradas-palacios-reales-monasterios
GPS coordinates: 40.58917,-4.14778
Latest update: December 4, 2025 19:01
Photo license: CC0
These burial sites across Europe hold the remains of nobility and document the stories of ruling families through the centuries. From the grand Kaisergruft in Vienna to the solemn chapels of Windsor Castle, each location shows how different societies honored their dead. The buildings range from Roman structures thousands of years old to chapels built in recent centuries, displaying how architectural styles changed over time. Many of these sites blend religious spaces with royal tombs, creating places of both spiritual meaning and historical record. In Paris, the Chapelle Expiatoire marks a turning point in French history. In Rome, the Pantheon and other ancient monuments survived from classical times. London's Westminster Abbey and Highgate Cemetery show how British nobility chose to be remembered. St. Petersburg's cathedrals display the grandeur of imperial Russia, while Florence's Medici Chapels reveal the power of banking families in Renaissance Italy. These places offer visitors a chance to walk through European history. You encounter the tombs of kings and queens, see the art and decoration that surrounded them, and understand how different regions treated their most important figures. Whether visiting a simple memorial or a sprawling mausoleum, you gain insight into what mattered to European societies across different eras.
Royal Crypt of the Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial
84 m
Pantheon of the Infantes of the Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial
84 m
Silla de Felipe II
2.3 km
Casita del Príncipe
1.1 km
Library of the Monastery of El Escorial
162 m
Royal Site of San Lorenzo de El Escorial and Escorial
2 km
Casita del Infante
970 m
Church of San Bernabé
1.8 km
Paraje Pintoresco del Pinar de Abantos y Zona de La Herrería
2.2 km
Teatro Real Coliseo de Carlos III
191 m
Monastery and Site of the Escurial, Madrid
0 m
Arboreto Luis Ceballos
1.7 km
Royal Basilica of San Lorenzo de El Escorial
56 m
Real Club de Golf La Herrería
1.3 km
Casita del Infante
966 m
Museo Cocheras del Rey
316 m
Casa de la Compaña, San Lorenzo de El Escorial
239 m
Casa 3.ª de Oficios (dependencia del Monasterio)
197 m
Gardens of the Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial
150 m
Casa de los Infantes (dependencia del Monasterio)
193 m
Casa 2.ª de Oficios (dependencia del Monasterio)
160 m
Casa de Peláez o del Infante D. Gabriel
358 m
Sepulchre of John of Austria
84 m
Casa de la Reina (dependencia del Monasterio)
193 m
Casa 1.ª de Oficios (dependencia del Monasterio)
157 m
Sanctuary of Nuestra Señora de Gracia, San Lorenzo de El Escorial
208 m
Church of St. Lawrence the Martyr
468 m
Biblioteca Municipal de El Escorial
1.6 kmReviews
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