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El Escorial
Felipe II ordered
construction of these startling
austere, grandiose, granite
structures. The monastery,
church and palace melt in a
framework of courtyards,
corridors and rooms forming a
rectangular block crowned by
four towers with pointed spires
on each one of the corners,
offsetting the horizontal lines.
Also noteworthy is the basilica,
topped by a 92 meter dome
and paintings on the vaults by
Lucas Jordán. Along the walls
there are 43 altars with painted
altarpieces and the main
chapel of the nave concentrates
the greatest decorative treasure
of the church. The Patio de los
Reyes, which precedes the
basilica, is a solemn
rectangular courtyard where
the bareness of the walls
contrasts with the truly royal
grandeur of the front façade.
– Palaces. In those occupied by
the Hapsburgs, the Sala de las
Batallas decorated with
frescoes is worthy of special
mention. Outstanding among
the palaces are the sumptuous
rooms belonging to the
Bourbons, decorated with
luxurious tapestries and
Pompeyan ceilings.
– Chapterhouses. Works by El
Greco, Velázquez, Ribera,
Titian and Bosch, along with
paintings from the 16th
century Venetian School, can
be admired.
PHOTO GALLERY
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