Monastery Escorial Madrid. Escorial Palace in Spain: Construction History

Escorial is the biggest and most beautiful building in all Madrid, which for his long history has already managed to visit the palace, monastery and residence of the monarch of Spain Philip II. This monument of architecture has always caused conflicting assessments in the minds and hearts of many people and there is still no unambiguous opinion of people about this, some consider this building "the eighth miracle of the world", and others call the Escorial "architectural nightmare".

General information about the Escorial

The architectural complex of the Escorial, its full name of San Lorenzo de El Eccorial is located on the territory of the autonomy of Madrid, near the River Manzanares, at the foot of Sierra de Guadarram Mountains and only an hour from Madrid. At the moment, the Escorial is considered the most important museum of Madrid. This is not just an architectural complex, as well as a library, a national archive and the largest museum.

History Escoriala

His story begins in August 1557 when the troops of the Spanish king Filipp II fully broke the French troops in the battle of St. Cantine in Flanders. This battle occurred just on the day of St. Lorenzo, which is why Philip II decided to build a monastery in honor of the saint. This palace complex was supposed to personify the power and strength of the Spanish monarchy, as well as the Spanish weapons and will remind the victory of Spanish troops in the battle of Saint Cantine. Over time, construction plans have increasingly grow up, as well as the significance of the construction. In the construction of the Escorial, it was decided to embody Carla V covenant - to create a huge dynastic pantheon and combine the royal palace with the monastery into one whole. And in the stone of the construction to express the political doctrine of Absolutism of Spain. King Philip II sent two scientists, the two best architects, as well as two Kamenotes find a place to build a monastery, so that this place is not too cold, too hot and not far from the new capital. After a year, tedious searches, they found just the place where the Escorial is now located.

In addition to the addiction to Saint Lorenzo, the King of Spain was distinguished from other rulers with his melancholyness, immersion in itself, great religiosity and weak health. He was looking for a place for a long time in which he could have a break from the Royal Problems and the concerns of the most powerful empire around the world. He wanted to live surrounded by monks, and not his courtiers. The Escorial was to become not only a royal residence, but first of all the monastery for the Order of St. Jerome. He said that I would like to build a "palace for God and a small shack for the king of Spain." Philip did not want to make his biography during his lifetime, he decided to write it himself and did it in stone. The victories of the empire and its defeat, the sequence of tragedies and deaths, the obsession of the Spanish king art, teaching and prayers, the country's management - all this affected the escorial. The central position of the architectural monument symbolizes faith of Philip in the fact that in political actions it is necessary to be guided by religious considerations.

The first stone in the construction of an escorial was laid in early 1563, its construction lasted for 21 years. The architect of this project was Juan Bautista de Toledo, who was previously a student of Michelangelo, and in 1569 after his death, construction completed Huang de Errera, which was just a final finish. The complex is an almost square building, in its center there is a church, in the southern part - the premises of the monastery, in the northern part - the palace, for the large courtyard.

Philip II carefully followed the design of the Escorial and its construction. From a conceptual point of view, the choice of architecture style was of great importance. Philip II wanted to emphasize the gap from the medieval past, as well as the European importance of his country. This requirement is most consistent with the style of the Renaissance Archaised Architecture.

For the interior decoration of the Escorial, the best materials were used and the best masters and builders were collected on the entire Peninsula and from other countries. Wood carving was performed in Avil and Cuenke, sculptural works were ordered in Milan, the marble was brought from Arassen, bronze and silver products manufactured in Toledo, Flanders, Zaragoza. In 1584, the last stone was laid in construction, after which decorators and artists began to work, among which were the famous Italians L.Kambiazo, P.Tibaldini, F. Kastello, etc.

After the construction was completed with the Spanish king, did not leave an escorial concern. There was a lot of works of European and Spanish painters, except that valuable manuscripts and books were kept here. Even after the death of the Spanish king, his collection was replenished all the time. And now the works of El Greco, Titian, Ribery, Surbaran, Coelho, Tintoretto are kept here.

In contrast to the luxury of the Escorial decoration, the king's relatives were decorated very simple. Smooth whiten walls, brick floors and was asked in the traditional style of Spanish housing.

Cultural significance of escoriala

Since the time of the Board, Philip II, Escorial is considered the embodiment of Christian traditions. For the residents of Spain, he became the fact that the temple of Solomon was, for people who worshiped the Old Testament. The appearance of the Escorian was considered in the country a bold innovation of architects. Contemporaries admire the skill and skill of a talented architect, who managed to catch the spirit of his time and deeply comprehend his ideals.

Huang de Errera is a talented architect, thoughtful mathematician, which combined a strict military discipline with inconsistency and excerpt of the court, these qualities put their mark on the whole ensemble.

The creativity of this architect determined the occurrence of the style of the style in the art of Spain: the popular manner of "rejection" (desorganoentado) is called the name of the Erressko style creator.

The architect found a successful relationship between the corner towers and the dome of the cathedral. Unusually expressive walls of facades - flat, smooth and as if they go into infinity.

All the buildings of this ensemble were suppressed in one monumental style. All items and forms are reduced to conventional geometric bodies - Cuba and the ball and thanks to this, people think of an escorial as music that frozen and at the same time sounds proudly, in Spanish.

Current state of escorial

Escorial is a rather complex complex, which includes a monastery, palace, cathedral and theological school. Some ideas about the huge scale can give such dry numbers: 86 stairs, more than 16 courtyards, 1500 addresses and 1000 converted outwards, in a perimeter an escorial reaches 700 meters. The walls of this ensemble were built from large gray granite blocks, which give the construction a little gloomy, but, in the one, the moment the magnificent view.

The outer severity of the structure takes on the chic decoration of the inner rooms and other rooms, the walls of which are decorated with frescoes and paintings, antique rareholds and sculptures. The design of Escorial Philip attracted Varyagov from Italy, as well as well-known Spanish artists.

In general, the entire structure of the Escorial did not change at all since the reign of Philip II. But he was restored several times after severe fires in 1671, 1731, 1763, 1825. A large reconstruction of this complex was produced in 1953. In mid-1963, a museum was attached to the Royal Wing of the castle, from the same granite and he was set aside in the same architectural style. Escorial and now functions as a monastery. Previously, the monks of the Order of St. Jerome lived here, and after 1885, Augustines came to replace them.

Where is the Escorial and what can be viewed next to him

Escorial is a small town that is located just 50 kilometers to the north-west of the capital of Spain - Madrid. And he has become known to many tourists thanks to the old world monastery known worldwide, which is also called the Escorial and officially called the Monastery of St. Lawrence.

Not far from Escorian and only 60 kilometers from Madrid is an equally famous place in Spain, the monumental complex - the valley of the fallen. The complex was built in 1940 to indicate the ruler of Spain, Franco Franco, as a monument to the dead soldiers in the Civil War. With its construction, local authorities used the low-paid work of prisoners who expressed a voluntary desire to take part in the works.

All elements of this monumental complex have simply gigantic sizes, and especially the basilica that was cut into the rock. Behind the huge rock there is a monastery of Benedictine.

Not far from the entrance gate begins the mountain road, which leads to the foot of the Holy Cross in the valley of the fallen, ends the road to a large exploanade with a total area of \u200b\u200b30,600 square meters.

The Royal Palace of the Pardo, is located near Madrid. He was built in the 16th century on a huge Pardo Hill in the middle of the royal hunting grounds, and got its name from the hill. At first, he was an ordinary hunting house, but over time he began to expand and received a modern view in the early 18th century. During the reign of the dictator Francisco Franco, the palace was his residence. And after his death, the royal palace became a museum. Nowadays, he became a residence that takes particularly important guests.

Retiro Park created in the XVII century specifically for walking of the royal family. Retiro is the most beautiful park in all Madrid. During the reign of Habsburgs in the park only the nobles were allowed. Nowadays the park is considered a favorite place for Madrid residents and numerous tourists. Retiro Park occupies a total area of \u200b\u200b150 hectares. In the center of the park there is a picturesque lake, which opens amazing beauty View Mausoleum Alfonso XII and a picturesque Egyptian fountain.

The park is the most noticeable attraction, the only sculpture worldwide, which was devoted to the Devil and is called "Fallen Angel".

How to get to Escorial

From the capital of Spain to Escorial to go only 50 kilometers. The escorial can be reached on the line of the C-8. Suburban trains in this country are called CERCANIAS, which go quite often, approximately every 20 minutes. Tickets for train are sold only on the day of departure of a special office at the railway station. All the journey will take about one hour. You can also go by bus, which goes off the bus station every 15 minutes.

Escorial is the heritage of Spain and one of the most beautiful attractions of the country, which has managed for their long existence to visit the palace, monastery and residence of the Spanish Monarch Philip II. The architectural complex of the Escorial appears various feelings from all people, it is called the "architectural nightmare" and "eighth miracle of the world."

In 1557, the troops of the Spanish king Philip II split the French in the battle of St. Cantna in Flanders, but the local monastery of St. Lawrence is destroyed with this, which is honored with the Spaniards. To celebrate the victory and at the same time, pay tribute to the Holy, the king decides to build a monastery in Spain - Escorial, but at the same time makes it his residence.

The Escorial is just 50 km and an hour's ride in the north-west of Madrid, which is halfway to Segovia. Search on the map you need a small town of San Lorenzo de El Escorial.

Palace, and this is in my opinion more Palace, open from 10 to 6 in the cold season and from 10 to 8 to the warmth (from April to September). On Mondays, the palace is closed. The price of a ticket - 10 euros. An audio guide is attached to it (there is in Russian)

In terms of its structure, an escoril is a large basilica connected to other buildings forming the square. Something resembles the fortress in Toledo, this is all ambitious and powerful. The northern part of the construction is a palace, and the South Monastery, and each part has several inner courtyards, which makes an interior on top look like a grill, which is reminded of the martyrdom of St. Lawrence. At the same time, the building itself has no traces of medieval architecture, it is Renaissance. Much attention to the work on the creation was given to the king, who wanted to live in the distance from the courtyard here.

The construction of the monastery began in 1563 and lasted 21 years

Entrance to the complex

The first room you will visit - will be Bibillope Escorial, it is very rich in the part of the sacred books and Arab monuscripts. But, unfortunately, in the Escorial it is impossible to shoot and I could not make a photo in the library. In fact, it is a few halls where there are styles with old books, closed with lattices, and in the center there are different globes and tools for astronomical and geographical calculations.

View of Basilica with Library Gallery

The following object is the Basilica itself, it also cannot be removed in it, but some photos managed to do

The roof is decorated with sculptures of the Old Testament Prophets

The limit is unique from an architectural point of view, since its creator managed to solve the issue with the support of the dome made perfectly

Baptistery

Altar, left and right, are royal lodges with figures of praying Charles V and Philip II with families

Marble crucifixion, if not mistaken - Michelangelo's work

Galleries Palace

View from the window to the French garden

The next point of the visit is a few police gallery halls, where Philip II gathered a good collection of painting of that time - there are works of Bosch, Veronese, Tintoreto, Titian and other old masters.

The next escorial part is a pantheon. Filipp II postponed the remains of his father - King Charles V. Since then - an escorial, this is the place of restoring all the Royal Paras of Spain, including princes and princes. And only a few rulers were not buried there.

Tomb members of the royal family

The room where the kings of Spain are buried

After the Pantheon, you can walk through the halls of the royal palace, it is quite modest.

This is a military hall whose walls are painted by the image of the very battle, after which the Escorial was built

Unexpectedly in the tub in the window I saw a mango tree

This photo did not work, but left you understand what the palace's decoration looks like

On this excursion escorial ends, but besides the building itself, you can also visit the French geometric garden for free.

Under these arches is the entrance to the Palace Garden

In the garden labies planted bushes, and roses grow

Panorama view

Altar Basilica

In addition, after studying the Escorial, to which you will leave about 2 hours, you can look at the town itself, it is pleasant and comfortable, however, there is nothing interesting here.

Machine can be left for free on the square near Escoriaila - Plaza San Anton de Los Alami

For help in visiting an escorial Thank you

50 km from Madrid, among the hills covered with a dense forest, a huge rectangle of the Monastery of St. Lavrentia - San Lorenzo is towers. This is the famous Escorial, the most famous historical monument of Spain, created by the will of King Philip II. Among the other famous architectural masterpieces of Spain is amazing in Granada, the majestic and impregnable in Segovia, a formidable castle in Murcia, a refined castle in the province of Biscay.

Escorial, architectural miracle of Spain

Behind the bridge across the Gwadar River begins the rise - mountainous slopes, rocky soil, ragged brown cliffs, shrub, rare pines. There are small, with red tiled roofs of the village. The slopes cover beautiful oak groves.

Escorial visible from the second lift. It is located at the foot of the Grand Amphitheater of Granite Serious Steel Rocks. The correct rectangle of the ensemble, crowned with a dome, it seems very small from afar. Its harsh, dark view is emphasized with the gray granite of the walls of the monastery, the clarity of architectural forms, the absence of any sculptures or other decorations.

Another impression arises, if you look at the Escorial from the north, from the slopes of Sierra de Guadarram, as if the whole city rises in a huge, sun-flooded silver valley of Mansanares. Besides widespread expanses, arrays of wild lilac mountains, clean fresh air and amazing clear light under the mountain sky - everything creates a feeling of the sprawling around the free world. It was necessary to find completely special forms of figurative expressiveness so that the architectural complex was built here was not absorbed in the magnitude and the infinition of this beautiful world.

As soon as the construction of the Escorial was completed, as the Spaniards did not slow down to proclaim this architectural monument to the eighth miracle of the world. Written in 1609 Lope de Vegoy comedy was called "the eighth miracle" and allegorically melted a wonderful temple erected by the "Bengal King" at the foot of a high mountain, whose name of Guadarram.

Escorial in many countries of the world has contributed a lot of highlighted engravings of 1587 Pedro Pereti in the drawings of the architect Juan de Errera. The basis of the literature on the famous royal ensemble laid historians, chronicists, travelers of different nationalities. But Escorial had his own erudite historists in the face of the monks of the Jeronimit Order, for which the monastery of San Lorenzo was intended. Among them, first of all, Frah José Siguenza, a scientist, writer, musician, the first keeper of the Escorial library, the author of the "History of the Order of St. Jeronim" (1600-1605) - one of the main sources on the history of the Escorial.

Escorial, construction history

The creation of an ensemble usually attribute a number of accidentally coincided. August 10, 1557, on the day of the holiday St. Lawrence (San Lorenzo), the united Anglo-Spanish army won the French troops in the battle of Saint-Cantine. Philip II, who was looking forward to the outcome of the battle, with a joyful news of the victory made a vow to erect the temple in the name of St. Lawrence. Martyr Lavrenty was especially close to the Spanish heart since he was from Aragon. According to legend, an escorial plan has a lattice form, on which Saint was burned alive in 261 by order of the Roman emperor Valerian.

In addition to his addiction to St. Lorenzo Philip II differed immersion in itself, melancholism, deep religiosity and weak health. He was looking for a place where he could have a break from the concerns of the king of the most powerful empire of the world.

The king wanted to live surrounded by monks, and not court; In addition to the royal residence, the Escorial had to become primarily the monastery of the Order of St. Jerome. Philip II said that he wanted to build a palace for God and shack for the king. "

The future structure was to combine the monastery, the personal residence of the King and in pursuance of the will of the late father of Karl V - the tomb of Spanish monarchs. The location of the Escorial was chosen after long and thorough surveys of the valley of the River Manzanares by a special commission. Spanish chronist José Siguenza wrote: "The king was looking for a landscape that contributed to the elevation of his soul, favorabling his religious reflections."

El-Escorial village near empty iron mines (from Spanish Escoria - Slag, from where the name of the ensemble comes and the name of the ensemble) attracted a good location, a healthy climate, an abundance of mountain sources and the presence of a magnificent building material - light gray granite.

The construction of the ensemble, begun in 1563, was conducted under the personal observation of Philip II. At the head of all the work stood a talented and experienced leader - the monk of the Orden of Jeronimites Fra Antonio de Viligastin. The construction of colossal funds were allocated. In the creation of an escorial, not only all of Spain, various areas of which were supplied by marble, pine forest, forged lattices, church utensils, crosses, lamps, lamps, embroidery and fabric, but also other European countries, as well as American colonies, from where gold and valuable Wood breed.

The construction of Escoriaila Philipp II instructed Huan Bautista de Toledo, his chief architect, whom he in 1559 taken out from Italy, where he studied and worked for a long time in Naples and Genoa.

Gradually, the name of Juan de Toledo moved to the background and faded in the shade of Juan de Errera (Ok. 1530-1597), his young talented assistant, who was headed by construction in 1567 and became the generally accepted creator of the Escorial.

For an escorial decoration, the king attracted the best foreign masters. Italians Pellegrino Tibaldi, Federico Zuccaro, Luka Cambiazo, Romulo Cincato, Niccolo Granlo, Fabrizio Castello, Bartolome Carduchcho, and others, is already much later, at the end of the XVII century, in the reign of Charles II, the painting of the chief chief of the Cathedral of San Lorenzo Also, the arch and frieze of the parade inner staircase created the master of Italian Baroque Luke Jordano. In general, the overwhelming part of the artistic treasures of Escorial, like Museums of Madrid, is the works of Italian masters.

Another feature that produces no less impression in an escorial is the contrast between the closeness and poverty of the personal home of Philip II and the enormous sizes of Palace Region, intended for techniques and worship services. In these quiet, more than eleven thousand windows, and in a narrow room, once belonging to the ruin of the twilight, barely penetrates a weak beam of light through a small door. The books of the magnificent Palace Library are very curiously arranged on the shelves: the golden cuts outside, and the roots inside, as if the rules of the Escorial wanted to warn the public that she should not know the title of the Labor, who read the king.

As they tell, Philip II wanted to say goodbye to the Escorial. For a long time, for the past six days, the king was slowly carried on stretchers from Madrid. His misty gaze was still the last time to see his favorite brainchild. A few hours later, the king died ... Starting with Philip II, Escorial became the place of burial of the Kings of Spain.

Later, the rulers made changes to the Escorial, but despite this, he still retains his artistic unity. In the XVII century, Philip Iv completed the construction of the Royal Pantheon, in which the remains of the Spanish kings were.

Royal Pantheon Escoriaila

One of the construction goals of Philipp II Escorial - the creation of a mausoleum for his father, Emperor Charles V, whose remains were transferred here in 1586. The dust of all the kings of Spain is resting here, starting with Karl V, except for Philip V, who tolerate could not stand the gloom of the Escorial and I asked him to bury him in Segovia, and Ferdinand VI, whose tomb is in Madrid.

Both the kings and the Queen, who gave the life of the male heirs, buried here in the stone boxes on the shelves of the shelves, pre-departing for 50 years in the Pudrider's secret rooms, and moved to the Pantheon already in the form of dust.

On the contrary, a pantheon of infants built in the XIX century, a pantheon of infants, where the princes, princesses and queens, whose children did not inherit the throne were buried. Sarcophag for royal children (El Panteon de Infantes), who died in infancy is called due to its lush form "La Tart" (cake). Constructed at the request of Queen Isabella II in 1888 by Master José Segundo de Lem.

A peculiar design of this ambiguous structure allows people to be endowed with developed imagination, it is easy to imagine this "cake" sliced \u200b\u200bon slices and stuffing in the form of a young dofina in each portion.

Two tombs in the escorial are empty. The only thing was buried here the only king, awarded such honor, - Don Juan Bourbon. His son and the current King Juan Carlos I, and the entire people of Spain felt that he had earned a similar sign of recognition by his support for democracy at Franco and refusal from the throne in favor of his son for the sake of peaceful transfer of power.

Also, in addition to the royal tomb in the Escorial there are many rooms for royal relatives, but the tombstones are mostly monotonous: the same or almost identical sarcophages, coat of arms and inscriptions.

The marble tomb of Juan Austrian, the winner of the Turks in the historical battle at Dadano in the historical battle, is highlighted here. He is an illegitimate son of the emperor Karl V. Everyone knows him under the name Don Juan, of the one who broke the hearts of frivolous ladies of his time. Probably, therefore, on his fingers 14 (!) Wedding rings. The knight from Carrarsky marble is resting in a dream, squeezing in the hands of the sword. In his legs, he has gloves of armor, as a sign that he did not die in battle, and died of illness.

For the next few hundred years, Escorial lost part of his collections due to fires and robbery, but today he remains the most complete and impressive monument to the late revival in Spain. Now the Escorial is included in and is one of the most visited.

I had only one day in stock for inspection of the neighborhood of the Spanish capital ...

In the contenders for a day trip from Madrid, the palaces of La Grant and Aranhuese, but the soul asked something special. I do not want to shift, but sudden yourself, what can I be surprised after our Peterhof and Hermitage? Parks are smarter than the first one still did not come up with (especially for March of the month!), And I attend the royal palazzo from the small years. But the legendary complex from the royal palace and the monastery is something new. There was no doubt, I was waiting for an escorial!

How to get to Escorial from Madrid

By bus - Just and comfortable. Time on the way - 55 minutes, on weekdays there are quite a lot of flights, at times less weekend. Departure from the MONCLOA bus station, where from the center of Madrid there is a straight branch of the subway, arriving in an escorial to the local bus station (Estasion de Autobuses), which is 5 minutes walk from the monastery. Two buses will be suitable for the trip, number 661 and 664, the schedule can be found by typing one or another number of the route. Tickets are sold directly from the driver, the price is 4.20 euros one way (as for a bus trip after 5 transport areas of Madrid and suburbs: here from A in C1). Plus 3 euros per ticket for the metro to the bus station and back, if you do not have a special pass.

On train - Uncomfortable and with their subtleties. Time in the way - a little more than an hour, departure 1-2 times per hour. The Cercanias railway included in the Metro City System () leads to the Escorial. You will need a C-3 branch, which in the center of Madrid passes through the stations Sol and Atocha. Interestingly, sometimes the same line is referred to as C-8, so it is important to look at the scoreboard above the platform, where the final station is indicated: on the way there - El Escorial (possibly Santa Maria), and back - Aranjuez (or sometimes ATOCHA). The timetable of the trains is located on the suburban train website, however, do not count on punctuality, it happens. Tickets are sold only on the day of departure in special courses Cercanias or in automata with the same railway logo. Price - 4.05 euros one way (as for a railway ticket for a trip after 6 zones: from zero in C1). In Escoria, the station is located 2 km from the monastery. This distance can be passed on foot in the park or a new part of the city (about 30 minutes), but the road is closed in a hill, so the walk can be difficult, especially if in the heat or in bad weather. It's better to drive a couple of stops on the local bus number 1 (for 1.30 euros one way), if it turns out to be found))) This is also not easy, because there are no pointers in the area of \u200b\u200bthe station (neither the bus, nor to the monastery), therefore It is better to ask Local, the main thing is not to get confused in the names: El Escorial - town around the station, and the monastery is San Lorenzo de El Escorial (but for simplicity to go to the Escorial).

This time I had to go by train, because my fellow traveler does not tolerate buses. On the nearest Sol Metro station, we bought tickets in the machine (in English nothing complicated) and wait. However, the train did not come on time, and no messages on the scoreboard and, as it seemed to me, on the speakerphone did not appear. It was completely incomprehensible, it is possible to walk around the city for a whole hour before the next train or it is worth waiting. Chose the second and not mistaken: the train arrived in 20 minutes. In the Escoriale, I also had to face with navigation, but in the end someone from the aborigines helped, but on the way back the problem was already to calculate the time to train: for some reason the road station seemed endless. In general, I recommend whether to go by bus, so easier!

Externally, an interior looks impressive

Visit to the museum complex: organizational moments

The most important thingWhat you need to remember - do not come to the Escorial on Monday, when the museum is closed! The rest of the time it works from 10 to 18 or to 20, depending on the season, the details on the link.

With tickets Everything is simple:
- normal price - 10 €,
- Preferential (children under 16 years old and students up to 25 years old, with a passport or ISIC, respectively) - 5 €,
- FREE - 18 May and October 12 (I imagine how much people there!) And children under 5 are always.

Museum navigation - a big problem. To the question, whether it is possible to get the plane plan together with the ticket (as, for example, give me in the Hermitage), I was answered in the checkout "to photograph forbidden"))) Knowledge of English in one of the main museums of the country at the height! Then it has already turned out that there is no such scheme in principle, that is, wander as you want, or take the audio file.

Audible - The main part of the navigation nightmare. The cost of the service is only 3 euros, there is a Russian-language option. However, that tourists do not try to save and take one device for two, there is only one earpiece. So if there is a group excursion next to you (and hardly in Russian!), Then you will unwittingly listen to it. Further more - the audio guide is (expensive?) Tablet, therefore, the passport requires a passport, which according to the rules (see the last page of the document) to give anyone it is not recommended, and I generally prefer to leave it under the castle at the hotel and carry Copy. As an alternative, I was offered to leave a credit card))) Yes, and even the key from the apartment where the money is lying! As a result, they agreed that they would spend my card through a computer reader, and when the tablet is returned, its data from the system is deleted. Eh, it was necessary to take a blank credit card with him, but who knew?! Other collateral options are any identity card with a photo (you can take some unnecessary skip) or the keys to the hotel (any keys and with a numbered keychain).

However, this is not all joys! It turned out that such a farewell audio fits only as an information reference book, but it is almost unsuitable for navigating the museum. All rooms in the tablet are divided into thematic groups, and how in reality it is not clear between these groups. Due to the abnormality of the route, I chaotic wandered around the complex, having missed part of important premises. Then I had to collect "Losses", but I did not understand, I managed to see or not. So no wonder the Escorial nicknamed the architectural nightmare! Perhaps it is better to look in advance his scheme on the Internet and do not care about this unnecessary audio guide.

The main facade of Escorial

Take pictures In the escorial, it is strictly prohibited, even without flash. As it turned out, it is a favorite rule of all expensive Mudrid museums, but I only went only, so I did not know. Over the compliance with the "Charter" in each hall, the growing churches are followed (ah, who we pay a salary, buying a ticket!): I was even stuck for shooting a view of the garden from the window of the palace. So if you want to take a small photo report from the ancorial, get ready for a game of plucking-catching.

Comfortable conditions For the inspection of the halls - this is also not about the Escorial. I was there in the middle of March, when the thermometer on the street showed +25, but inside the complex there was a wild cold, even a jacket was saved. Perhaps in the summer in the museum it is pleasant to refresh yourself after the 40-degree heat, but the rest of the time I advise you to dress as much as possible to withstand the 2-3 hour audio excursion. And my salvation was a sunny courtyard, where he had to be constantly returning to warm up a little.

The same sunny courtyard of the Escorial and the facade of Basilica San Lorenzo

What to see in the Escorial Museum Complex

I confess, once I silence from one only the words of Escorial. The legendaryness and grandeur of the complex hit the imagination, although I really didn't even know what was hidden inside. It turned out that it was the very case when the size does not matter, the main thing is the content! And the latter just rocked, but I forever learned: you should not be kept on loud names.

So, what should be seen and not losing (thanks to the audio guide) in the Escoriale?

Library - The most beautiful thing is that there is a museum. They say its wealth can only be compared with the "Book Sister" in the Vatican, but the main thing here is not even here, but the ceiling! Incredibly huge fresco in a few hundred square meters with excellent lighting - this is what attracts the eye.

Tombwhere almost all kings, queens, princes and princesses of Spain are buried, starting from 1586. Interestingly, only three tombs are empty in Pantheon, but they are already "booked": they will be engaged in the last dead members of the royal family after a 50-year expectation in the "Dispatch Room", which provides for an increasingly active medieval tradition. It turns out that for now living monarchs there is no place already, and this question still remains unresolved!

Library Escoriala

Escorial Pantheon (the most beautiful part of those that gave photograph)

Royal rest "Quite modest, which we clearly do not expect from the Status of the Escorial, but, as the" Customer "said the Filipp II complex, he built a" palace for God and a hut for the king. " Yeah, it means that the religious part must be abused by beauty!

And here is not! Basilica San Lorenzo - The only open part of the Escorial, relating to the monastery, however, is all very ascetic, harsh and even sad. Perhaps this is the most ugly cathedral of all that I have seen in Spain.

Architectural and artistic museums - unexpectedly turned out to be more interesting in some parts of the Escoria. The first exposition talks about the construction of the complex itself, and the second is a picture gallery with the works of such masters, like Bosch, Veronese, Tintoretto, Wang Dyk and others.

Royal chambers (chose the most beautiful part of them)

I would also like to note palace front staircase and several beautiful galleries, with which you definitely do not pass. But from what you can lose is room with secret (It is somehow called), the first at the entrance from the courtyard. In appearance, this is the usual passing room, so I will definitely ask for its features from the museum workers: they always duty there and, unlike the others, will be happy to tell about how to find a secret.

What else to see in the Escoria

In addition to the Palace, the monastery it is worth looking into the garden of monks, which stretches right under the walls of the complex. You can log in here for free, but note that the gate opens on a schedule, which almost coincides with the museum. At the entrance to the garden, a large pond is broken with swans and gold fish, and in the farther part of the smug peacocks are walking, at all who do not want to pose for a photo. And he also overlooks the picturesque Mountains of Sierra de Guadarram and monastic fruit gardens.

Garden of monks in Escoriale, somewhere there is a dwell of peacocks

Escorian Fruit Gardens overlooking Sierra de Guadarram Mountains

I almost do not doubt that after the Escorial Museum you still have a lot of time, so you will definitely walk through the sympathetic town of the same name. Not that there were some sights, but it is worth spending at least half an hour, wandering through the cozy quiet streets, working on the hillside. By the way, on the way you can go to the map to the local infopurnunk, which is located under the arch-bridge in the house opposite the entrance to the monastery.

Where to eat in the Escoria

It is unlikely that someone is surprised if I say that in the Escorial there was also a problem with meals))) However, Fortuna smiled at me and immediately led to the right institution! On the Jacinto Benavente area (which on the steps) next to the bookstore Centro Coliseo on the right in the corner, a small bistro was attached, whose white umbrellas stand right on the street. As always, the menu was only in Spanish, but after the question about English, a miracle happened ... Having learned from where I came from, the owner of the cafe grabbed the phone and then handed me a phone: at that end, the wire with an emphasis spoke Russian and were ready to translate All (!) Menu))) Both "Good Samarita" turned out to be Bulgarians, and one of them still remembered what he was taught at school of the Soviet period. Prices in the cafe are, of course, corresponded to the center of the tourist site: Tortotilla (Spanish Omelet), Sandwich with Lomo (this is what the cooler of Hamon) and two drinks cost 13 euros, but the translator services were included in this figure!

Escorial: to be or not to be?

After the baroque, Gothic and Moorish beauties of Toledo and Segovia, the Escorial seemed just a boring stone block, both in shape and color. Interior decoration a little built this impression, but to the luxurious interiors of the Madrid Museum of Serralbo and Segovsky Alcasar, the monastery, of course, is still very far away. Therefore, after his visit, I rightly thought, and was it worth going there at all? I will say this: if you are a big fan of royal residences and have already watched the rest of the sights near Madrid, you can come to the Escorial. However, if possible, everything is possible to replay, I personally would not have incorporated this place in a weekly journey through Central Spain.

Epilogue of the whole trip

In conclusion, I would like to say not very literary, but but self-critical: in fact, I was lit! I come back to where

At the foot of Sierra de Guadarram Mountains, an ancient palace and an escorial monastery (Monasterio De El Escorial) are an hour away from Madrid. At first glance, the building is impressive with its greatness, but not everyone causes an unambiguous reaction. Some called the Escorial "architectural nightmare", others - the "eighth miracle light". Escorial is now the cultural heritage of Spain, a large museum and architectural orphanage.

The date of commencement of the history of the Escorian is considered on August 10, 1557, when the Spanish army of King Philip is second defeated the French invaders. The victory took place on the day of St. Lorenzo, from where the full name of the monastery is happening - San Lorenzo de El Escorial. The construction of the palace lasted 21 years since 1563. The first architect was the student of Michelangelo - Juan Bautista de Toledo.

Historically, an escorial is also the tomb of almost all of the Kings of Spain, starting with Karl Fifth, Philip Father. The exception is only Philip Fifth and Ferdinand Sixth, buried in Madrid.

The sector of rectangular shape, dimensions of 208, 162 meters, includes 13 chapels, 9 towers, 16 patio, 15 galleries, 300 keys, 86 stairs, 9 organs, 1200 doors, 2673 windows. From the northern and western sides of the monastery is a large square " lonha ", And south and east, the castle gardens extend the beautiful views of the surroundings of Madrid.

Escorial became a shelter for two "new museums." One of them contains exhibits relating to the history of the palace construction - drawings, sketches, construction tools or models of the Escorial elements. The second museum stores valuable works of art 15-17 centuries. The collection of the canvases laid another founder of Escorial Philip the second, which was continued by his heirs. Among the paintings of the museum of work Bosch, Tintoretto, Veronese, Wang Dequee, Titian, El Greco. Thanks to the addiction to the art of the Habsburgs, which collected a decent collection, consider the patrons of culture of their time.

However, the most attractive place in Escoriale is his library, which is inferior only by the Vatican. Here the manuscripts of Alfonso Wise, Saint Augustine and St. Teres are stored. In addition, the library has a collection of Arab manuscripts, the largest in the world, as well as the illustrated collections of anthem and cartography, natural history, starting from the Middle Ages. It is noteworthy that in this library, the only thing in the world, books are rooted inwards in order to better save the bounds, however, many copies of books are currently replaced by copies.

Not far from Escorial, there is one more attraction of this region - the valley of the fallen - an impressive monument in memory of those killed during the Spanish Civil War.

You can order an excursion in the ancient sights of Spain, including the Escorial Monastery in Spain in Russian. The Escorial is open to visits from Tuesday to Sunday from 10 to 20 hours. Escorial gardens closes an hour earlier. The cost of a complete input ticket amounts to 10 euros, preferential - 5 euros. In addition, there are clocks and days of free visits.