From Madrid to El Escorial: A Family’s Perfect Day Out

At the beginning of October, I wanted to have a nice one-day trip with my family, and El Escorial turned out to be a perfect idea. We took the Cercanías train, and after about an hour of travel, we arrived in the town of El Escorial. From there, we enjoyed a 30–40 minute walk through the small, calm streets of the town until we reached our destination — the huge and fascinating building we had come to see: El Escorial. In front of it stretched a vast square, and behind it rose the beautiful mountain view — a truly breathtaking scene.

El Escorial is one of Spain’s most remarkable monuments, built in the 16th century by King Philip II. It served as a royal palace, monastery, and burial site for Spanish monarchs, symbolizing the power and faith of that era.

-- Church --

And the church... wow... The church inside is incredible — a truly massive and awe-inspiring space. It was built in the 16th century as part of the royal monastery complex and dedicated to St. Lawrence. The high ceilings, marble columns, and detailed frescoes create an atmosphere of peace and grandeur.

-- Library --

Another fascinating place is the library — yes, the library! It holds books that are several hundred years old, carefully preserved on beautiful wooden shelves. The room itself is stunning, with frescoes on the ceiling and elegant old globes and maps.

And there are great views of the internal square and the main entrance square.

-- Sepulchre --

I didn’t take any photos here, as it didn’t feel like the best place for it, but it’s definitely worth a visit. The royal sepulchre holds the tombs of many Spanish kings and queens, each marked with beautiful stone monuments and inscriptions. The atmosphere is calm and solemn, reflecting centuries of history. Walking through it, you can feel the weight of tradition and the legacy of the monarchy.

Visiting El Escorial with my family was truly a memorable experience. From the majestic architecture to the centuries-old library and the peaceful sepulchre, every corner of this place is filled with history and beauty. Walking through the town, enjoying the calm streets, and taking in the mountain views made the day even more special. I highly recommend a visit — it’s a perfect destination for anyone who loves history, art, and a relaxing family trip.

These shots were captured using a POCO X3 NFC.

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