Page 114 - DK Eyewitness Travel Guides - The World's Must-See Places

El Escorial, Madrid
112 EUROPE

-< Museum of Art Felipe ll's imposing gray palace of San Lorenzo de El Escorial
Flemish, Italian, and Spanish stands out against the foothills of the Sierra de Guadarrama
paintings are displayed in
the museum, located on to the northwest of Madrid. It was built between 1563
the first floor. One of the and 1584 in honor of St. Lawrence, and its unornamented
highlights is The Calvary, by
15th-century Flemish artist severity set a new architectural style that became one of the
Rogier van der Weyden.
most influential in Spain. The interior was conceived as a
mausoleum and contemplative retreat rather than a splendid
residence. The palace's artistic wealth, which includes some
of the most important works of art in the royal Habsburg
collections, is concentrated in the museums, chapter houses,
church, royal pantheon, and library. In contrast, the royal Fresco by Luca Giordano
apartments are remarkably modest.

Architectural
-< Basilica

ST. LAWRENCE
On August 10, 1557-St Lawrence's Bourbon
Day-King Felipe II defeated the French Palace
in battle and immediately vowed to
build a monastery in the saint's honor.
El Escorial's shape, based on that of a
gridiron, is said to recall the instrument
of StLawrence's martyrdom.
Main
entrance

~;;;!;! Basilica
The high light of this huge
decor a ted church is the
lavish altarpiece. The
chapel houses a superb
marble sculpture of the
Crucifixion by Cellini.

Alfonso XII College ------.11':
This was founded by
monks in 1875 as a
boarding school.

-< Royal Pantheon II Ill' •
The funerary urns of Spanish
monarchs line this octagonal
marble mausoleum.
~;;;!;! Library
The library's impressive array of
40,000 books incorporates King
Felipe II' s personal collection.
On display are precious manu-
scripts, including a poem by
Alfonso X the Learned. The
16th-century ceiling frescoes are
by Pellegrino Tibaldi (1527-96).

-< The Glory of the
Spanish Monarchy,
by Luca Giordano