El Escorial is one of Europe’s largest and most magnificent royal buildings.
It’s a palace, basilica, monastery, art gallery, museum, library and royal mausoleum first started in the 16th century.
This architectural wonder overflows with great sculpture, paintings, frescos, inlaid wood and marble, stunning tapestries, extensive gardens and an incomparable mausoleum where Spain’s deceased royalty are interred.
Heading the list of great works is the wondrous white Carrara marble crucifix
carved by Benvenuto Cellini between 1556 and 1560 (photo #66 below).

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In the 1560's King Philip II of Spain
The basilica at El
The basilica at El
The basilica at El
In the 1560's King Philip II of Spain
In the 1560's King Philip II of Spain
In the 1560's King Philip II of Spain
In the 1560's King Philip II of Spain
In the 1560's King Philip II of Spain
In the 1560's King Philip II of Spain
In the 1560's King Philip II of Spain
The basilica at El
In the 1560's King Philip II of Spain
In the 1560's King Philip II of Spain
In the 1560's King Philip II of Spain
In the 1560's King Philip II of Spain
In the 1560's King Philip II of Spain
In the 1560's King Philip II of Spain
In the 1560's King Philip II of Spain
In the 1560's King Philip II of Spain
In the 1560's King Philip II of Spain
El Escorial library
El Escorial is one
Armillary sphere in the library
Armillary sphere in the library
Armillary sphere in the library
Armillary sphere in the library
In the 1560's King
In the 1560's King
In the 1560's King
El Escorial library
In the 1560's King Philip II of Spain
El Escorial library
In the 1560's King
In the 1560's King
In the 1560's King
El Escorial library
The basilica at El Escorial -
The basilica at El Escorial -
The basilica at El
The basilica at El
In the 1560's King
In the 1560's King
In the 1560's King
In the 1560's King
In the 1560's King
In the 1560's King
In the 1560's King
In the 1560's King
In the 1560's King
In the 1560's King
In the 1560's King
El Greco painting at El Escorial: 'Martyrdom of St. Maurice and
El Greco painting at El Escorial: 'Martyrdom
El Escorial is one
El Escorial, one of
Painting of the palace
Model of El
El Escorial is one
El Escorial, one of
El Escorial, one of
In the cellar catacombs are the tombs of the kings
In the 1560's King Philip II of Spain
In the cellar catacombs are the tombs of the kings
In the cellar catacombs are the tombs of the kings
In the cellar catacombs are the tombs of the kings
In the cellar catacombs are the tombs of the kings
In the cellar catacombs are the tombs of the kings
In the cellar catacombs are the tombs of the kings
In the cellar catacombs are the tombs of the kings
In the cellar catacombs are the tombs of the kings
Train to El Escorial,
In the cellar catacombs are the tombs of the kings
Formal gardens at El
Formal gardens at El
White Cararra marble sculpture In the 1560's
Death bed of King Philip II
El Escorial - The Bed Chamber
In the 1560's King
In the 1560's King
In the 1560's King

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