Habsburg and Bourbon Spain

San Lorenzo de El Escorial

Today: Spain

Years: 1563–1833
Role: Royal site of Felipe II's monastery

The first stone of the monastery was laid on 23 April 1563, and Felipe II bought the neighbouring land to form the royal site of El Escorial. The town came later: in 1767 Carlos III allowed houses to be built beside the monastery's forecourt, the founding core, which grew very fast. It became a municipality separate from El Escorial in 1836.

What to see today

Monasterio de El Escorial (Real Monasterio de San Lorenzo de El Escorial): Monastery, 1563 to 1584
Casita de Arriba (Casita del Infante): Palace, 1771 to 1773
Casita de Abajo (Casita del Príncipe): Palace, 1771 to 1775
Iglesia de San Bernabé: Church, 1594 to 1595

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