Spain’s military glories are celebrated ... When he started to build El Escorial, Philip II dreamt of building a monastery far from Madrid. His vision took 21 years to complete and involved ...

El Escorial, officially known as San Lorenzo de El Escorial, is a monumental complex located near Madrid, Spain. It serves ... previously hidden parts of Philip II’s monumental creation.

The historic royal monastery of San Lorenzo de El ... of Spain’s golden age, measuring well over 33,000 square metres. Some 35 miles from Madrid, the religious complex fulfilled Philip II ...