The Castle can be visited
CastleSan Lorenzo de El Escorial
Real Sitio de San Lorenzo de El Escorial
In the Spanish town of San Lorenzo de El Escorial in the Madrid region is the Real Sitio de San Lorenzo de El Escorial, a palace complex.
History+
Construction of the palace began in 1563 at the behest of King Philip II of Spain and was completed in 1584. The original plans were drawn by Juan Bautista de Toledo, a student of Michelangelo. After Toledo's death in 1567, Juan de Herrera took over as master builder and shaped the complex's appearance. Philip II governed from here, but his successors used the palace reluctantly, even though court protocol assigned it as their residence. Since 1861, El Escorial has no longer served as a royal residence and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1984. A Baroque crypt, expanded in 1654, houses the tombs of almost all Spanish kings from Charles I to Alfonso XIII.
Location+
The palace is situated in San Lorenzo de El Escorial, in the district of Madrid, in the region of Madrid, Spain. It stands at an elevation of approximately 1033 m above sea level.
Take Mobile History with you
You are reading this text for free. Premium adds what matters on the road: descriptions read aloud, sites found through your camera, whole regions taken offline.
- Every description, including the ~17,700 Premium sites
- Audio guide: have descriptions read to you on location
- AR finder: see sites through your camera, with distance and bearing
- Unlimited saved sites
14 days free, then from €2.99 a month. Cancel anytime.
Image: Daniel Pelletier
Location: 40.5891, -4.1477