While staying in Madrid, leaving the city for another destination for a
weekend seems like the last thing that would cross your mind. However,
after spending a night out until the wee hours of the morning, you may
find yourself needing some R&R. The Sunday after, make a daytrip to El Escorial, the former monastery and residence of the
Spanish king.
An hour-long bus ride (3.50€) separates Madrid from San Lorenzo de
El Escorial, a World Heritage Site. World Heritage
Sites are typically influential over a country's culture and
history, so you can rest assured knowing El Escorial is something worth
seeing. The burial ground of Spanish kings for the last five centuries,
El Escorial was originally commissioned by King Philip II and has some of
the most beautiful gardens in the region.
The entrance fee is 10€, but 5€ for students, so bring that student ID with you. Even if you can't get the discount (my student ID happens to be safely stowed away at home), the site is well worth the 10€.
No, those aren't ants; they're people. The place is big.
The walking tour of the site begins with an architectural exhibit of
blueprints, models, and building artifacts (which look suspiciously like
torture devices), all noting the interesting design of the palace,
whose floor plans were based off of Solomon's Temple (the first temple
built in Jerusalem). Next, visitors pass through a thorough
collection of 15th- through 17th-century religious art and the room where King Philip II died.
However, if you're not a culture junkie, not to worry. The interior of
the palace is beautiful in and of itself, featuring inlaid floors,
intricately carved doorways, and iron-wrought windows that look out over
the extensive gardens. If you're running short on time (or running
short on patience), just be sure to see the following sites:
1. Hall of Battles. This corridor features a floor-to-ceiling mural
that spans the length of a football field and depicts some of Spain's
most important victories.
2. Pantheon of Kings. Walk down flights of stairs to stand in the middle of this black crypt of royalty encrusted with marble and gold. There are still three or four tombs available, if you want to make reservations. Never hurts to be prepared.
3. Ceiling Fresco. After visiting the pantheon, walk up a set of marble stairs and lie back on the plateau to be overwhelmed by the ceiling fresco depicting heaven.
I can just feel the heavenliness.
4. Library. King Philip II donated his personal collection of literature to the palace's school—his books are housed in an impressive wood-paneled room, complete with world globes and horse portraits.
5. Basilica. The last stop on your tour, the basilica was inspired by the architect's experience working on St. Peter's Basilica in Rome and is laid out in the shape of a Latin cross. A must-see.
Entrance to the basilica. The interior is even more impressive, I promise.