Just 45 miles northeast of Madrid, visiting El Escorial or rather the Real Sitio de San Lorenzo de El Escorial, a matter required if you are visiting Madrid and appreciate things like art, architecture or have interest History.

Photography by Rob Shenk

El Escorial World Heritage monument since 1984, was built by King Philip II and was the political center of the Spanish empire, and their residence. It was where Philip II organized his palace and library as well as its pantheon, that of his parents, Emperor Charles I and Isabella of Portugal, and their families and successors, and he built a great basilica and founded a monastery. (más…)