Spain, El Escorial: description, history and interesting facts

The most extraordinary and magical attractions overflowed with Spain. The Escorial is one of them. It is the famous palace, residence and monastery of the King of Spain, Philip II. This attraction is located at the foot of the Sierra de Guadarrama, an hour's drive from the Spanish capital city. The structure is shocking with its dimensions and scale. Some scientists even put this structure on a par with the grandiose complex of pyramids in Giza. The palace-monastery of El Escorial was erected in honor of the victory of Spain in the St. Canton battle. Then the troops of the empire defeated the French army. This architectural ensemble includes a library, a pantheon and a palace.

History of sight

Many ancient objects are proud of Spain. The escorial also belongs to such sights. Its history dates back to the end of the summer of 1557. Just at that moment, the army of Philip II defeated the French troops in the aforementioned battle. The battle took place on St. Lorenzo's Day. Therefore, the king decided to erect a monastery in honor of this saint. The palace ensemble was to embody the strength and steadfastness of the Spanish monarchy and the arms of the country. The complex was supposed to remind of the great victory in Saint-Cantin. Gradually, the scale of construction was growing, and, accordingly, the importance of the palace grew.

He honors the behests of his monarchs Spain. The Escorial was to embody the commandment of Charles V - to create a great dynastic pantheon and make it one with the monastery and the royal palace. In the stone of the structure it was supposed to show the political theory of absolutism in Spain.

Philip II sent out the two best architects, two masons and the same number of scientists, so that they could find a place to erect a monastery. But it should not be simple, but special: not extremely cold, not very hot, and it should be located near the new capital. The search lasted a year, and in the end the territory was chosen, on which today the object is located. This is one of the most interesting facts about the Escorial.

The Purpose of the Monastery

From all other monarchs of King Philip II distinguished his love for Saint Lorenzo, self-absorbed, sad, weakened health and great piety. The king for a long time was looking for a place in which he could relax and not worry about the pressing problems that prevailed in the greatest empire in the world. Philip II wanted to be surrounded not by personal subjects and courtiers, but by monks. Such a refuge was the Escorial.

Spain, whose sights we are considering, is generally rich in various monasteries. The Escorial was to play the role not only of the residence of the king, but also, and most importantly, of the monastery for the Order of St. Jerome.

The monarch said that he wanted to build first a palace for the Lord, and only later - a hovel for himself. Philip did not want his biography written during his lifetime. He decided to write it himself and capture not on plain paper, but in stone. Thus, the victories and defeats of Spain, the chronology of troubles and ruin, the royal enthusiasm for art, prayers and teachings, as well as the management of the empire, were displayed in the Escorial. The central location of the cultural monument embodies the faith of the ruler that in politics one must be guided by considerations of a religious nature.

Construction

The most outstanding architectural masterpieces on its territory was placed by Spain. The Escorial is an incomparable proof. The first stone in its foundation was laid in 1563. Construction work was conducted for 21 years. The architect was Michelangelo's student Juan Bautista de Toledo. In 1569, the new architect was Juan de Herrera. He was engaged in final finishing works. The ensemble is an object of almost square shape, in the center of which the church is located. In the south wing of the complex there was a monastery, and the northern part was occupied by a palace with a huge courtyard.

King Philip for the design and construction of Escorial watched in the most careful way. The architectural style for him was of incredible importance. Thus, the building belongs to the archaic Renaissance architecture. Thus, the monarch tried to emphasize the European significance of his state and the separation from the past of the Middle Ages.

Interesting facts about interior decoration

The palace-monastery of Escorial (Spain) is distinguished by a chic interior decoration. To create it, the best materials were applied. And all the works were done by the best builders and masters. In Cuenca and Ávila, woodcarving was performed, an order for sculptural sculptures was sent to Milan, and marble was brought from Arsena. In Zaragoza, Toledo and Flanders made silver and bronze ware.

The Modern Escorial

The castle-monastery of Escorial (Spain) is a very complex ensemble. It has, in addition to the monastery itself, a cathedral, a theological school and a palace. If you describe this attraction with numbers, it has more than 16 patios, 86 stairs, one thousand windows facing outward, and one and a half thousand windows facing inwards. The perimeter of the building reaches seven hundred meters. To erect the walls of the complex, huge blocks of gray granite were used. They attach to the construction both a sad and majestic appearance.

Luxurious decoration of the interior and all other facilities smooth out the external rigor of the landmark. The walls of the rooms are decorated with paintings and frescoes, sculptures and antiques.

A little about the premises

The Escorial Castle in Spain has many wonderful rooms. Let us briefly consider the most interesting of them. For example, personal royal quarters. You can find them on the third floor. They are distinguished by an accentuated modesty of decoration. In the bedroom there is a small window opening directly to the church. Since the king suffered from gout, he could, without leaving his room, attend divine service.

The Shrine of the Escorial, or Pantheon, is the place where all the monarchs of Spain are buried.

Magnificent and elegant is the library. By the number and value of books and ancient manuscripts, it is second only to the Vatican. Here, only one-of-a-kind manuscripts are saved, for which there is no price, for example the manuscripts of St. Theresa of Avila and St. Augustine and many other writings.