Photos

Hi everyone!

What you can see here is the town of San Lorenzo de El Escorial and the mount Abantos on the background.

This town is well known worldwide due to its magnificent monastery-palace of the XVIth century. It was built up by the Spanish architect Juan de Herrera and presents a mix of Castilian military architecture and fine Italian renacentist patterns. Its dome very impressive and the paintings of the ceilings are very significant. Some areas of the monastery are used as a museum of that "Spanish Golden Age" and englobe art, militar and scientific milestones of that age.
On the other hand, all the Spanish kings and Emperors from "Carlos I of Spain" (Charles V of the Holy Roman Empire) are buried inside these huge walls.

Morever, the mount Abantos is one of the most important places in the autonomous region of Madrid due to its unequalable environmental value. Its a good example of a Mediterranian forest and still preserves some important birds of prey. However, a huge fire that took place in 1998 destroyed a very importante part of the area (have a look at the right side of the mountains).

The picture has been taken from the same viewpoint from which the evolution of the works on the monastery were followed by the architect Juan de Herrera and the Emperor Felipe II (Philips II).

I have to confess this is my hometown, and even though I'm not agreeing with the policy of its dreadful mayor (which is building houses on protected areas), I have to say that I love this town a lot.

Hope you like it as much as I do.