Unesco-listed San Lorenzo de El Escorial was fulfilment of Philip II’s dream of raising monastery in a ‘desert’ Despite perching imperiously on a mountainside near Madrid for the better part of five centuries, the royal monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial has yet to give up all its treasures – or all its secrets Forty years after it was included on Unesco’s World Heritage list piety and patronage is undergoing a major reorganisation that will allow visitors to enjoy the peace of a previously off-limits monastic patio and to look at paintings once reserved for the royal gaze made possible by €6.5m (£5.4m) of EU funds aims to reintroduce visitors to the 33,327 sq metre site a hulking testament to the imperial and cultural might of Spain’s golden age The site is an austere monument to power Photograph: Denis Doyle/The GuardianEl Escorial was the fulfilment of Philip II’s dream of raising a monastery in a “desert” involved the genius of two architects: Juan Bautista de Toledo who made the most of the logistical knowledge he had acquired while fighting in Flanders for Philip’s father “This place was far​ away from everywhere else when it was founded; it wasn’t a literal desert but it was a kind of desert,” says Luis Pérez de Prada head of buildings and environment at Spain’s national heritage institution “It was an incredible feat of work and it shows humanity’s ability to create something in the middle of nowhere.” Although El Escorial is hardly an unknown destination – it received more than 450,000 visitors last year – Pérez de Prada and his colleagues are keen to offer people a fresh perspective Visitors pass through the monastery library Photograph: Denis Doyle/The Guardian“It’s a reopening with a much deeper understanding of what one of Spain’s most important monuments is about architecturally and artistically and of all the symbolism implicit in this place,” he says The most immediate change is the point of entry: instead of going in through the side visitors will enter through the Patio of Kings an imposing courtyard that immediately gives a sense of the immense scale and strength of the complex “You’re going to get a much greater understanding of the monastery’s architecture now that you’re able to come in through the Patio of Kings,” says Pérez de Prada “We really want people to understand what they’re visiting when they come to a place like this; it’s not just about saying: ‘Yeah I’ve done the tour and I can say I’ve visited El Escorial.’ You need to understand how it was created and how it’s been modified.” The Patio of the Evangelists at El Escorial monastery Photograph: Denis Doyle/The GuardianFor the first time visitors will also be able to wander around the monastery’s Patio of the Evangelists a tranquil garden of fountains and statues with a cupola at its centre that echoes the great dome of the basilica The other significant elements of the rethink are to be found in the dormant painting and architecture galleries reorganised and revitalised at a cost of €2.4m A painted ceiling at El Escorial monastery Photograph: Denis Doyle/The GuardianThe painting gallery will be arranged across nine rooms to show and explore the tastes commissions and acquisitions of four monarchs: Philip II French and German pictures – many of them not previously on public display – are works by Titian Almost half the rooms will be given over to Philip II to reflect his cultural clout Free newsletterA digest of the morning's main headlines from the Europe edition emailed direct to you every week day “Philip II is the person who lays the foundation of the Spanish royal collections,” says Carmen García Frías a paintings curator at Patrimonio Nacional “Few monarchs had a brand new palace like this one in which to set out their decorative ideas and collect together such fine works of religious art.” García Frías describes it as “one of the most important works of universal painting” which will displays nails and tools used in the building’s construction as well as sketches and models of a singular piece of design and engineering There are also more mundane matters to attend to Almost a third of the EU money – €2m – will go on updating the building and making it more sustainable by putting in LED lighting installing four electric vehicle charging points and using solar panels to help power Patrimonio Nacional’s workshops For Pérez de Prada, however, the monastery’s importance transcends the vision of one man. “The most powerful monarch of the time is driving all this forward in his name,” he says. “But it’s also a place where you can see the evolution of art and architecture making an important leap during the Renaissance. It also shows us what society – and the world – was like at the time: the religious wars; the counter-reformation. All of that is reflected here.” The bridge, made of very good quality granite ashlar, has a four-eyed layout, with semicircular vaults and spans the Guadarrama River on the road that linked the Campillo and Monasterio farms, in San Lorenzo de El Escorial and El Dump It was built in the 17th century as a replacement for a wooden bridge. Before beginning the restoration works, it was hidden by the undergrowth, with part of its parapets detached and threatening ruin. The restoration has allowed to know the fourth eye of the bridge and return the fallen ashlar to its original place. The bridge, built entirely in granite masonry, has four eyes with semi-circular vaults of a single thread of voussoirs. The three intermediate piers have cutwaters upstream to reduce the current pressure on the supports. The board sits on the four arches, its sides being protected by separate parapets. There is a smooth impost at the height of the board on which the parapet rests made of rectangular pieces. At the ends of the parapet there are great ashlar buttresses crowned by a spire, a pinnacle and a ball. Next to the eastern access, on the south side, the remains of the entrance door are preserved. During the last decade of the sixteenth century, Philip II bought a series of properties with the aim of creating two new recreational farms near the Royal Site of El Escorial. Within the framework of this project, the monarch ordered the construction of three wooden bridges on the road linking the Campillo and the Monastery between 1595 and 1596. Years later, the prior of the monastery of San Lorenzo del Escorial requested King Felipe III to rebuild the wooden bridges. In 1621 the works of conservation and improvement of the road began under the direction of Juan Gómez de Mora. The old bridges are replaced by more solid ones built in ashlar masonry. Due to a series of economic difficulties, the works lasted until 1624. Board covered with dirt, before the performance Much of the parapets and the pylons that finished it were detached When these lands and brush were removed, the fourth eye of the bridge, unknown until now, has been unearthed. Before beginning the restoration works, this important exponent of early seventeenth century engineering was completely hidden by undergrowth and the board covered with earth. In addition, a large part of the parapets and the buttresses that finished off it were detached and only one remained in place, being in a sorry state. The work of restoration began with the cleaning and clearing of the structure, performing archaeological work. Subsequently began the restoration tasks themselves, providing adequate support to the access jambs and volumetrically recovering the north jamb. Thanks to the recovery of original materials found in the river bed, it was possible to replace a large part of the paving stone and to place the pieces of the parapets following the trace marked by the ashlars of the imposts that finished off the sides of the deck. Finally, a comprehensive cleaning and sanitation of the factories was carried out, to which a protective layer was applied in order to reduce water absorption. CERVERA VERA, L. (1986): "Sets and paths around the Monastery of San Lorenzo el Real ", in Population and monastery. Community of Madrid, Madrid, pp. 37-66. GARCÍA BUENO, M. (1991): El Escorial: Real Site and Villa. Society of Development and Reconstruction of the Royal Coliseum Carlos III, San Lorenzo de El Escorial. LASSO DE LA VEGA, M. (2010): "Casas reales de Campillo y Monesterio", in Palaces of Madrid, Community of Madrid, Madrid, pp. 42-47. MARTÍN-SERRANO, P. (1998): "Monesterio", in Architecture and Urban Development. Community of Madrid, Volume V. COAM Foundation, Community of Madrid, Madrid, pp. 313-316. RAMÍREZ ALTOZANO, JJ (2009): History of the royal forests of San Lorenzo de El Escorial. Vision Books, Madrid. ROSADO FERNÁNDEZ, V. (2001): And we made our way when walking. Brochure of the festivities of San Lorenzo del Escorial. SABAU BERGAMÍN, G. (2002): History of San Lorenzo del Escorial. Twelve Streets, Aranjuez. SÁNCHEZ MECO, G. (1995): El Escorial: from the community of Aldea to Villa de Realengo. City Council of El Escorial, El Escorial. SÁNCHEZ MECO, G. and ROSADO FERNÁNDEZ, V. (2007): The historic fence of the forests of the Real Sitio de San Lorenzo de El Escorial. Society of Development and Reconstruction of the Royal Coliseum Carlos III, San Lorenzo de El Escorial. SANCHO, JL (1995): The Architecture of the Royal Sites. National Heritage, Madrid. TOVAR MARTÍN, V. (1983): Madrid architecture of the seventeenth century. Institute of Madrilenian Studies, Madrid. VV.AA. (1990): Historical evolution of the Northwest itineraries in the Community of Madrid. Community of Madrid, Madrid. The Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de Escorial still has a lot to show its visitors after almost five centuries of its existence Thanks to a €6,5 million EU-funded overhaul the Philip II monument is opening previously closed areas to the public "This place demonstrates humanity's ability to create something grand in isolation," says Luis Pérez de Prada director of buildings and environments at Patrimonio Nacional Visitors pass through the monastery library Special attention is paid to the legacy of Philip II who collected unique works of religious art in particular Roheer van der Weyden's Calvary - a masterpiece that has undergone a thorough restoration Calvary is a masterpiece of the Flemish artist Rogier van der Weyden Almost a third of the funds were spent on modernization: installation of LED lighting solar panels and charging stations for electric cars The Escorial is not only an architectural and cultural monument but also a reflection of the society of its time the religious wars and the Counter-Reformation as well as the influence of the monarch's power on the development of culture and architecture San Lorenzo de Escorial will offer a new perspective on the dream of Philip II and the greatness of Spain's "golden age" Michelangelo Pistoletto presented his own version of Caravaggio's "Christmas" stolen 55 years ago In Italy, the country's largest medieval mosaic was restored The stained-glass window of the Mykolaiv Church in Kyiv will be restored according to authentic drawings +380 (44) 465 53 41 +380 (67) 638 76 00 hello@pragmatika.media https://pragmatika.media Casa Szoke by Aranguren + Gallegos, photo ©Jesús Granada  Casa Szoke is the 'silent' main character of 'The Room Next Door', Pedro Almodovar's film that won the Golden Lion at the 2024 Venice Film Festival The Room Next Door - Official Trailer - Warner Bros. UK & Ireland Designed by Madrid-based studio Aranguren + Gallegos Casa Szoke is located on the southern slopes of Mount Abantos in San Lorenzo de El Escorial a small town near Madrid.The architects aimed to integrate the house into the surrounding natural environment making the most of its features: to the south-west the Real Monasterio de San Lorenzo de El Escorial a 16th-century monastery and royal palace that has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984.To achieve the project's objective the house is divided into a series of small interconnected volumes that fit into the rather steep terrain resulting in a small-scale object that blends into the land blend in with the erosion-darkened granite and the reddish tones of the pine trees.The different levels of the interior open up the house to the landscape and its magnificent views through large openings to find the best orientation for the long winter in San Lorenzo de El Escorial ensuring that the last ray of sunshine of the shortest day of the year falls on the façade with a large portico overlooking the domes of the monastery open on two sides to take advantage of the cool breezes from the pine forest.The Archilovers editorial team asked the studio Aranguren + Gallegos to understand how the architects' design choices influenced director Almodovar's decision to turn the house into a film set The Szoke House has a strong connection with the surrounding landscape How did you translate this visual and material connection into the architectural narrative of the project and what were the biggest challenges in harmonizing the building with the natural environment of Monte Abantos?The site of the house is a slope with a double slant on the east-west axis The forest that borders it to the north was an argument for us to design the house as a sequence of volumes that start from the forest and spill out onto the slope on which it sits dissolving the total volume of the house into a sum of independent volumes that are only connected from the interior to facilitate their integration into the landscape.The house ranges from a single height of the first volume where the architecture is more expressive in front of the water surface of the swimming pool.Each volume of the house functions as a space with a double-glazed front and two different opening scales a consequence of the sloping plane of the roof The garden and the woods are always in relation to the interior in a continuous vision through the large panes of glass. The project was chosen by Pedro Almodóvar as the set for his latest film How do you think the architecture of the Szoke House contributed to creating the cinematic atmosphere Almodóvar sought for the film Did you collaborate with the production to adapt certain spaces?Almodovar is a great film director but we were also surprised by his sensitivity to our architecture's spatial intentions and intuitions The dual and intimate relationship of the two protagonists with dramatic situations and almost a splitting and merging of personalities and emotions is masterfully treated by Pedro Almodovar through the double reflections created in the windows of the house's rooms Nature and intimacy merge with a solid dramatic charge.The choice of materials which blends with the warm tones of the forest and stone was central to the integration with the surroundings How did this material influence the perception of the interior and exterior spaces of the house especially during the film's shooting?The decision to clad the entire exterior of the house in Corten steel reinforces the intention to merge the architecture with its surroundings made up of slender pine trees whose trunks are the same colour as the rusty steel.On the other hand where the oak-clad walls continue to speak of the forest where the trunks have become planes forming the walls The external and internal worlds merge and are linked by a thin plane or glass filter that brings them closer and reflects them.The project shows a strong commitment to solar orientation and interaction with the local winds How did these sustainability aspects influence not only the living experience but also the atmosphere of the film shot within the house Do you think these solutions added a unique touch to the final result?We believe that the house has been able to accompany and complement Pedro Almodóvar's intentions and choices Architecture makes sense when it welcomes and enriches the person who lives in it Let's say it was perhaps the framework that frames the real protagonist to which it is the backdrop.We believe the house has accompanied and complemented Pedro Almodóvar's intentions and choices Let's say that perhaps it was the frame that bounded the real protagonist Pedro Almodóvar’s first English-language feature-length film The Room Next Door premiered at the 81st Venice Film Festival Adapted from Sigrid Nunez’s novel What Are You Going Through it tells the story of two old friends who reunite played by Tilda Swinton and Julianne Moore The first portion of the film was shot in the United States and the central part in the Szoke House in San Lorenzo de El Escorial (Madrid) a work of Aranguren + Gallegos Arquitectos for the purpose of which the vegetation around the building was modified the house is nestled in the woods of La Herrería It is broken up into small volumes to minimize its visual impact and engage in dialogue with the surroundings The project pursued good orientations with picture windows that have a key role in the movie’s plot Madrid is one of the main characters of the world of the filmmaker from La Mancha an exhibition on view at the Conde Doque Cultural Center through 20 October the author of the book Todo sobre mi Madrid Trailer: La habitación de al lado there arent any match using your search terms They say that Cuba's forests were once so dense and lush that one could walk from one end of the island to the other under a continuous canopy of shade Spain began to be built with the quality and resilience of our cedar Finding a trace of that wood was the main reason that led me to the Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial it is promoted as the "eighth wonder of the world." I wouldn’t dare to assign it a number; there is too much world to see with my own eyes Although visiting in winter is recommended when the cold air seems to cut through your breath the mystery and beauty of the place envelop and calm you We hadn't yet reached the huge square that surrounds it We were searching for the route when we stopped at the side of the sanctuary of the Virgin of Grace The chapel dedicated to the patron saint of El Escorial already existed when King Philip II ordered the construction of the monastery in 1561 There was a very old man sitting on the bench that offered a view of where Capilla Street meets Floridablanca Seeing us curiously trying to photograph everything that impressed us he said: "Those two mountains are called Las Machotas." He told us more: that they were preparing for the patron saint festivities of San Lorenzo starting on August 9th and that the Virgin’s pilgrimage takes place on the second Sunday of September His presence was fleeting; in the blink of an eye perfectly framed by that imposing profile of the Sierra de Guadarrama which guards a reverent silence before El Escorial with its meticulous design and serene atmosphere The area preserves the condition of a Renaissance landscape masterpiece with geometric flower beds and the murmur of fountains although the topiaries no longer reach their original dimensions A restoration process attempts to reclaim that splendor of foliage shaped by pruning shears Climate change threatens plants that Spain will never see again But the garden of El Escorial has secured a place in memory with the iconic scene of Sara Montiel in the film *La Violetera* (1958) filmed there I found out that Charles Chaplin lost a lawsuit when composer José Padilla sued him for using the melody without permission in his film *City Lights* (1931) every time the blind flower seller appears The Royal Monastery is not only a testament to Spanish Renaissance history and architecture but also a setting for significant cultural and social events chose the basilica for her wedding in 1957 The place inspires reverence as a museum of sacred art with the main altar adorned with marble and gold life in El Escorial was a blend of solemnity and activity spending their time producing illuminated manuscripts and crafting products in the tailoring and bookbinding workshops which had traveled across the ocean from the Caribbean contributed to the grandeur of the building My search for Cuban woods reached its peak in the library I had to resist the urge to touch the shelves it is comparable to the Sistine Chapel for the frescoes on its vaults as well as a valuable collection of engravings The books are arranged with the spines facing inward though it is an aesthetic and practical choice such as a Bible in Hebrew and Aramaic; a manuscript with the *Relación de ceremonias y ritos de indios de Michoacán* The most solemn and mystical site is the royal pantheon Almost all the monarchs of the houses of Austria and Bourbon rest there although they are permitted in the preceding vaults where the infants are buried It is said that bodies were covered with lime and in the room called *Pudridero* they remained for 25 to 30 years until they were ready for burial in the marble coffins although he ordered its construction to commemorate the victory of San Quintín in 1557 and as a tomb for his parents We passed by one of the first imperial staircases in Spain We peeked into the queen's quarters with a view of the private gardens We were moved by the main altar of the old church where Titian's *The Martyrdom of St Other works by Titian are found in the gallery and we were particularly drawn to *The Last Supper* it is said to last longer than "the work of El Escorial." It was completed in 1584 It is often compared to the time it took to build the Taj Mahal (23 years) Experts in the field dismiss that phrase because they consider the execution process normal when compared to the 182 years it took to complete Notre Dame Cathedral or they draw their swords with Gaudí’s Sagrada Familia In the echoes of its corridors and the serenity of its gardens a more recent and controversial story is felt: the extraction of wood by Franco's regime for the construction of the Valley of the Fallen It was declared a World Heritage Site in 1984 We were exhausted from touring the monastery we longed for that continuous canopy of shade from the ancient forests Walking through Cuba in the shade seems like a utopia to us we remembered the old man who pointed out Las Machotas and we left with a thirst to discover what was not shown This is how you savor the enigmas hidden from public view those that El Escorial has harbored for centuries Reproduction is allowed when mentioning the source Mission Statement: to assist the integration of foreign residents living in Spain and this is never more accurate than when you establish yourself as a foreign resident in a new country Being able to quickly familiarise yourself with the culture and customs can help ease the transition during a challenging time This is why Euro Weekly News makes it our mission to provide you with a free news resource in English that covers both regional and national Spanish news – anything that we feel you will benefit from knowing as you integrate into your new community and live your best life in Spain you can forget about translating articles from Spanish into awkward English that probably don’t make much sense Let us be your convenient and essential guide to all things that will likely affect you as a foreign resident living in Spain Astonishing UNESCO World Heritage site in incredible Spanish city ‘tourists don’t know about’ reopens after €6.5m revamp It’s a real-life ‘Disneyland castle.’  An amazing UNESCO World Heritage site secretly nestled deep in the foothills of Spain’s central mountainous region is getting a full-scale €6.5 million revamp and reopening to the public The historic monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial is undergoing a €6.5 million overhaul that promises to unlock secrets hidden for centuries Though it’s not technically a ‘castle’ visitors from around the world are raving about its striking resemblance to a ‘real-life’ Disney castle the grand complex once symbolised Spain’s imperial might almost 40 years after joining the UNESCO list it’s being restored to its former glory – and more had an audacious dream: to build a monastery in the middle of nowhere two master architects – Juan Bautista de Toledo (a protégé of Michelangelo) and Juan de Herrera (a war-hardened visionary) – and immeasurable dedication to bring El Escorial to life A sprawling 33,000-square-metre masterpiece that still leaves visitors in awe aims to reintroduce visitors to El Escorial’s true splendour the ‘Patio of Kings‘ – the grand monastic courtyard – and once-private royal art collections will be opened to the public The stunning city of El Escorial already attracts over 450,000 visitors annually but heritage experts believe it deserves even greater respect and recognition the site is poised to become an even bigger draw for history buffs and architecture aficionados alike a far cry from cheap paella and sangria at tourist hotspots If you’re looking to see ‘real Spain’ pack your bags and head 35 miles out of Madrid to witness history brought back to life – because this is one makeover that truly reigns supreme San Lorenzo de El Escorial’s 400-year-old Casa de Cultura has also had a facelift this cultural treasure has swapped old-school for state-of-the-art The main auditorium now boasts brand-new carpeting ensuring audiences get both comfort and crystal-clear sound it’s out with the old and in with the new – featuring a sleek new floor and top-notch audio-visual gear to bring presentations to life The engraving workshop now has shiny new plan chests to store materials fresh information panels and billboards have been installed to keep locals in the loop about upcoming events and an additional air conditioning system have been thrown in to make this historic space even more versatile the Casa de la Juventud has undergone a dramatic transformation with a whopping €102,429 spent to cater to the next generation The venue now welcomes visitors with snazzy automatic doors and beefed-up security at both entrances the new Espacio +13 delivers in spades: virtual reality headsets and accessories bring the fun factor up a notch But the upgrades aren’t all fun and games – literally The already stunning auditorium got a glow-up too with new lighting fixtures and a projection screen for community events Even the staircases have had a chic makeover with vinyl flooring and decorative touches making the climb a pleasure rather than a chore the space now boasts colourful modular tables and a dedicated air conditioning system in the rehearsal room ensuring young performers can practice in total comfort A little TLC (and a lot of euros) can breathe new life into old spaces These upgrades aren’t just about aesthetics – they’re about creating functional welcoming spaces where the community can connect With historic charm on the outside and modern facilities within San Lorenzo is giving locals every reason to feel proud of their town’s cultural heartbeat Who said you can’t teach an old Casa new tricks More about living in Spain Find more news from around Spain (in English) Read more news in English from around Europe Subscribe to our Euro Weekly News alerts to get the latest stories into your inbox Euro Weekly News is the leading English language newspaper in Spain by delivering news with a social conscience we are proud to be the voice for the expat communities who now call Spain home With around half a million print readers a week and over 1.5 million web views per month EWN has the biggest readership of any English language newspaper in Spain The paper prints over 150 news stories a week with many hundreds more on the web – no one else even comes close Our publication has won numerous awards over the last 25 years including Best Free Newspaper of the Year (Premios AEEPP) Company of the Year (Costa del Sol Business Awards) and Collaboration with Foreigners honours (Mijas Town Hall) All of this comes at ZERO cost to our readers All our print and online content always has been and always will be FREE OF CHARGE Download our media pack in either English or Spanish Latest UpdatesCountries Why Join?IL MagazineFree Daily E-LetterVideoOur ExpertsTestimonialsFAQsTopics I’d never really noticed the starlings flitting between the chestnut trees of El Escorial before. For 10 years, this genteel pocket of central Spain was my go-to location for groceries and Sunday strolls in the formal gardens of its imposing 16th-century royal palace sipping an iced coffee at an outdoor table on the pedestrianized walkway of Calle San Lorenzo I’ll admit that I’m kicking myself a little that world-famous Spanish sunlight casts a dancing pattern on the honey granite walls and oak lintels of the street It picks out the patterns of grapevines trained along the sides of cafés and the subtle indentations worn into the stone paving slabs by generations of feet Established in 1557 by King Felipe II as a royal retreat away from the beating summer heat of Madrid the conjoined towns of El Escorial and San Lorenzo fulfill a similar function to the present day the temperatures here are more moderate than in the capital and in the depths of winter you might have to endure a couple of days of snow so the heat is tolerable when the mercury rises That’s the reason why El Escorial and San Lorenzo elicit envy in this part of the world and multiple generations of the Spanish royal family make their homes here It would be foolhardy indeed to claim that this is a budget destination That’s not to say that there aren’t bargains to be had nearby In a village just 10 miles across the mountains you can still pick up a three-bedroom fixer-upper for under $100,000 deep in the leafy hill country of the Sierra de Guadarrama but with a direct train connection to both Madrid and Avila cities El Escorial is a different style of living though and one which comes with an elevated price tag this is one of Spain’s most exclusive neighborhoods Tucked into a south-facing nook under the looming bulk of Monte Abantos the town is dominated by the copper-clad domes of the Royal Monastery and decreed that his palace should be discreet and free from the decadent opulence that would distract him from his religious devotions Strolling around the palace museum (and it is a palace too you’d be forgiven for thinking the collection of masterpieces by names such as El Greco and Brueghel (not to mention the dazzling arrays of New World gold dripping from every surface) stretch the definition of understated modesty somewhat San Lorenzo de El Escorial refers to the mighty monastery/palace complex at the top of town and El Escorial comprises the districts below El Escorial has the useful amenities and modern infrastructure whereas San Lorenzo gets the cobblestone alleyways and way more high-end shoe shops than seems necessary for a town of just over 15,000 residents El Escorial could be better described as handsome parks and gardens are on a more grandiose scale making a distinction between the two towns is nit-picking You could walk between them both without ever noticing you’d done so The entire urban area of both towns combined spans about a mile so distinctions between one and the other are really not worth worrying about the only noteworthy difference is that the bus station with regular connections to Madrid and beyond is in San Lorenzo if you choose to travel the 26 miles to the capital via the equally well-served railway station where hiking trails snake up through pine forest to the granite summits of Abantos the mountain air is infused with the scent of wild thyme wildflowers burst from the surrounding pastures and the high-rise towers of Madrid are visible across the flat plain and reservoir lakes that fan out south of Escorial If you wish to be neighbors with Spanish politicians or a dowager heiress But you’d be living on the outskirts of town the best approach is to embrace the flurry and fun of Spanish street life and the urban energy of town…while still being within walking distance of the mountain trails and valley paths on the outskirts you’re closer to El Escorial’s many amenities (A special mention goes to El Escorial hospital a municipal facility with excellent staff and equipment they whipped me immediately into a two-bed ward and fitted pins and a plate the next morning after a series of X-rays don’t have the hotel-like appearance of their U.S in many ways the exception to Spain’s usual status as one of Europe’s most affordable destinations in day-to-day terms San Lorenzo and El Escorial are surprisingly economical to live in you’ll pay top dollar in the touristy bars and restaurants beside the monastery or in the outdoor terrace cafés that flank the pedestrianized Plaza de La Constitution They’re used to making the most out of the tour bus crowds and paying as much as $3 for an espresso is the price for being in the epicenter of all that genteel prettiness Take a stroll just a few hundred yards from the obvious tourist traps and you’re back among workaday establishments where a glass of local red wine costs less than two dollars a three-course lunch with wine and coffee goes for $12 and Carrefour supermarkets on the east side of town sell all the staple groceries at knockdown prices (it’s hard to beat Lidl’s wine selection with bottles of decent Rioja for less than $2 or Carrefour’s half-pound bundles of asparagus for $1) be aware of the Spanish convention in which the renter is expected to pay a refundable deposit to the value of a month’s rent as well as another month’s rent in advance and—the one that comes as the biggest shock to the system—an agent’s fee of another month’s rent there are some nice rental properties available One caught my eye on a quiet side street in the heart of San Lorenzo’s historical district (and about 200 yards from the Royal Monastery) spread over 1,125 square feet of recently renovated living space It’s an affordable way to live in this atmospheric and pretty royal nook of the Spanish meseta An Overview of Traditions and Culture in Spain Enjoy Big-City Life With Laidback Charm in Málaga, Spain Retire in Seville, Spain Basque takes title ahead of Oier Lazkano and Jesus Herrada ‘All against Movistar, Movistar against all,’ read the headline in AS on the eve of the men’s road race at the Spanish Championships Alex Aranburu claimed the crown at San Lorenzo de El Escorial thanks in part to the supremacy of his Movistar squad Aranburu was full value for his victory after soloing clear with almost 30km to race while behind outgoing champion Oier Lazkano Antonio Pedrero and Carlos Canal helped to police the chasers on behalf of their teammate After building up a mammoth lead before reaching the final lap Aranburu had time to savour his victory on the final drag towards the finish while Jesus Herrada (Cofidis) clipped away to take the bronze medal at 59 seconds and Canal outsprinted Mikel Landa (Soudal-QuickStep) to take fourth The race ignited with 40km or so remaining when Pelayo Sanchez (Movistar) forged clear Herrada and David de la Cruz to give chase Once they had pinned back Sanchez over the Abantos quickly opening what proved to be a winning margin Aranburu never looked like waning on the run-in so impressive at the recent Critérium du Dauphiné expertly marked the chasers before helping himself to the silver medal and completing Movistar’s dominance of the afternoon Results powered by FirstCycling The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox! © Roland HalbeOnce inside this fabulous landscape we want to make the most of its features and open up to the maximum influence of its geometric the envelopment of the house had gradually transformed its glass and stone skins according to the proximity of the trees their presence and the type of programme in each specialised finger So in order to bring all the rooms into direct the skins that define the broken volume have etched transparencies opacities or screenprints with differing densities on its components the influence of the forest on this strange object that has invaded the tranquillity of its territory walls and flowing ceilings of amber resin absorb wooden slats that allow the abstract presence of the forest to enter and blur the outside/inside divisions as if our interior space were a fossil even before it existed A strange feature slides along the upper floors a reflection of the owner’s collector behaviour You'll now receive updates based on what you follow Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors If you have done all of this and still can't find the email Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker SpainChevron MadridChevron GettySave this storySaveSave this storySaveAll products and listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links But if you're looking to escape the summer heat there's plenty to do within a short drive Brush up on your Spanish history with visits to Segovia’s famous castle and the symbolic aqueduct or set off for El Escorial to see where the royal family would often retreat Save some battery—yours and your phone's—for the soaring cathedral in Toledo offers its own twist on Spanish regional fare we've laid out the best day trips from Madrid and relax in each; all you have to do is go further afield __Click the link to read our complete Madrid city guide.__ Segovia is one of the most popular day trips from the capital Though it's known for its ancient Roman aqueduct its Disney-esque castle (legend has it that it was part of what inspired Walt’s version) and city-center cathedral a UNESCO World Heritage site—so a jaunt here is jam-packed from start to finish You’ll want to leave Madrid bright and early to have time for it all if you want to make it back in time for tapas—unless you've booked a room at Parador de la Granja the magnificent Palacio Real de La Granja is where the royals would retreat to go hunting or escape the heat This is a must-see for all tourists—especially anyone obsessed with royals There's lots to explore inside the palace This was the last Gothic cathedral built in the country and sits at the city’s highest point Its grandeur is impressive no matter what your religious background and many people consider the cathedral one of the most beautiful in Spain and note that entry is free for services on Sunday mornings eager to try its famous roasted suckling pig There are also vegetarian salads and stews and more seafood and meat dishes than you can count; opt for the sampler menu to try the highlights the venerable restaurant draws lots of crowds and a testament to the prowess and survival skills of the ancient Romans Although it's undergone a few modifications over the centuries it still retains its original structure from nearly 2,100 years ago No tickets are required—you can just glimpse it from the outside The lack of cement or mortar between the stones may leave you dumbfounded—if not wholly impressed But the rooms are neither flashy nor extravagant which helps keep the attention on the historic building—and on Segovia itself You'll see plenty of conventioneers and tour groups but all that activity keeps up the energy level in the lobby Families will praise the outdoor pool and small spa and fitness buffs can keep up their routine in the gym but it was actually once a medieval fortress It was rebuilt in a different style following a fire and today visitors can explore its many halls and secret passageways but the wait—and small price of admission—is well worth it: Families will love it Tourists will fill their memory cards to the brim Visitors can explore its many houses of worship is another must-see that is a complement to—not a replacement for—Madrid’s main houses of art.) But keep in mind: while casually wandering the streets for impromptu sightseeing is entertaining it’s best to have a plan to minimize time waiting in line was once a 10th-century fortress; but today Alcázar Fortress may be best known from its ubiquitous position on the cover of many a modern-day Spanish textbook The architectural masterpiece houses a military museum with a massive trove of historical and military artifacts that cover all the epic battles and monarchical rulers of Spain Even if you only peep the building’s façade—with its iconic towers—the visit will be worth it and you'll be overcome with an immediate sense of calm Entry to the monastery and gardens will set you back a couple of euros but the peace of mind—especially after a hectic day of sightseeing—will be worth it Religion and history buffs dominate the pathways but any tourist will appreciate at least a few minutes in the complex which offers an eye-opening look into the life of a Franciscan monk a casual gastropub within the ancient city fortress has a stone-lined cave—an especially atmospheric dining setting Tapas include aioli-drenched potatoes stuffed with meat and veggies and hearty carcamusas a local stew made with hot pork and vegetables and served as a bar snack you're likely to run into fellow tourists especially when it's warm enough to sit outside a quintessential example of Spanish Gothic style was born under the auspices of Ferdinand III but the structure took centuries to complete and many of the chapels and naves were added by subsequent rulers the church has a small entrance fee for non-worshippers don’t miss El Greco’s portraits of the 12 apostles Housed in a former hospital with beautiful Moorish ceilings the building itself is a veritable mecca for anyone who loves 16th- and early-17th-century art but mega fans will want a bit of extra time and the museum's companion app provides added detail about the exhibitions and the temperatures here are often cooler Head here to see where and how the royals vacationed during a visit to this majestic place work up an appetite strolling the halls of the monastery before sampling one of the many popular neighborhood cafes Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial was once the royal residence of the Spanish king This massive complex is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site with an art gallery Show up early or prepare for long lines—this is one of the most popular sites in town a no-fuss restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating The famous cocido (a hearty meat-and-vegetable stew) but you can't go wrong with bacalao or oxtail stew—this is Spain And since you're technically in a steakhouse this is a perfect complement to a day trip La Silla de Felipe II is a hillside lookout point—it's the perfect place to picnic and take panoramic photos of El Escorial This is a great place for families; you'll find lots of locals as well as tourists with a car and some free time on their hands Bring snacks for a picnic or stock up on supplies at the small shop on the grounds and seasonal menus with locally sourced ingredients could only mean one thing: a Michelin star La Montia's set menus (at different price points) represent the chef's love for the land Expect biodynamic breads from a local farm and even water collected from a local spring Each dish is plated like a piece of art and explained in great detail up-to-the-minute voice in all things travel Condé Nast Traveler is the global citizen’s bible and muse We understand that time is the greatest luxury which is why Condé Nast Traveler mines its network of experts and influencers so that you never waste a meal or a hotel stay wherever you are in the world Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando Exhibition organized by the General Directorate of Cultural Heritage of the Community of Madrid in collaboration with the National Library of Spain National Heritage and the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando Ingenuity at the service of power tells a fascinating and little-known story: the presence in Spain between the XNUMXth and XNUMXth centuries of most of the manuscripts written by Leonardo da Vinci which today are one of the treasures of the National Library of Spain but almost all of those that are preserved distributed in the best museums in the world in addition to the approximately twenty that disappeared the exhibition vindicates the importance of science and the transmission of knowledge in the Spain of the Habsburgs and presents a Madrid that was a fundamental focus of knowledge of the time The scientific discourse has been made by a curatorial team formed by Daniel Crespo Delgado Almudena Pérez de Tudela Gabaldón and Elisa Ruiz García with the collaboration by Almudena Palancar Barroso The establishment by Felipe II of the court in Madrid determined that the Alcázar Real residence of the monarch and seat of the Royal Councils Ambitious projects carried out by mathematicians All worked at the service of the monarchs as experts in some of the subjects that made up "imperial science and technique" an essential tool for the exploitation and administration of the extensive territories of the Crown and to show the vast territory where the court settled became one of the most active scientific-technical centers in Europe Spanish scientists and technicians contributed to this With these engineers traveled proposals and inventions books and ideas that were shared beyond political borders Thobias VolckhmerAstronomical instrument case1596Bronze gilt brass and engraved enamelNaval Museum of Madrid It was possibly commissioned to the German mathematician and goldsmith Thobias Volckhmer as a gift to Philip II It is an instrumental set consisting of a sundial as well as maps of the northern hemisphere it shows all the astronomical knowledge of the time and constitutes one of the most valuable examples of the collection of scientific instruments from the XNUMXth and XNUMXth centuries Walter ArseniusCrossbow1563Brass and woodNational Museum of Science and Technology It was used in surveying and artillery to measure the distance and dimensions of distant objects; in astronomy to obtain the angular separation between two stars to determine the latitude coordinate by measuring the height of a star above the horizon It is based on the geometric method of triangulation The preserved manuscripts of the Florentine artist show an overwhelming creativity and an admirable capacity to express himself through images The encyclopedism of his knowledge prevented him from solving many of the issues conceived His works are characterized by being unfinished but everything he did as an author in different fields has been a source of decisive inspiration for generations to come intellectuals and artists wanted to own some of his written works who brought some magnificent examples of the master to Madrid Some original works by Leonardo show annotations made by scholars while reading them The existence of these notes allows to know the degree of reception of the ideas and the findings of the teacher and shows the circulation and interest in such works In some high-quality copies that were part of Pompeo Leoni's heritage legacy and that remained in Madrid at least until 1613 there are brief comments made by different hands in Spanish and Italian These are the manuscripts called Windsor Collection Manuscript B and the Codice sul Volo degli Uccelli of exceptional value and currently kept in the National Library This fact allows us to suppose that its possible owner did not facilitate the consultation of these pieces which were once admired by the Italian painter Vicente Carducho Appraisal of Pompeo Leoni's assetsMadrid,8 of April of 1618Historical Archive of Protocols of Madrid since it describes the manuscripts of Leonardo de Vinci that Pompeo Leoni owned in his home in Madrid Among them was the splendid album formed by the sculptor a scientific contribution of the first order This work is currently kept in the Royal Library of Windsor Castle since it was acquired in the mid-XNUMXth century by English collectors July 8 of 1613Historical Archive of Protocols of Madrid The unexpected death of Pompeo Leoni's first heir in 1611 led to a new inventory of the remaining assets in Madrid It is much broader than the first in regard to the artistic collections of all kinds described Eleven Vincian manuscripts are mentioned here which did not appear in the previous appraisal The construction of the Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial was the greatest artistic undertaking of Felipe II for which he spared no effort devised machines and more rational work systems to finish the work in an unusually short time for the time in which teams of Genoese and Milanese were of great importance apart from allocating the most select pieces from his artistic collections to the monastery A neuralgic point was the presbytery of the basilica with the large polychrome jasper altarpiece centered on the monumental custody of Jacopo da Trezzo The decoration was completed with the gilt bronze sculptures made in Milan by the Leoni Pompeo Leoni also acted as the king's artistic agent and was able to obtain Leonardo's manuscripts for him they would have had a place in the monastery library conceived as a great center of knowledge of the time moved to Spain in 1556 and brought with him the monumental sculptures with portraits of the imperial family that Maria of Hungary had commissioned him and which he worked on for much of his career In Madrid he also sculpted marble and alabaster sculptures similar to this sculpture of the king he acted as an artistic agent for Felipe II Climb with the openwork grillLast third of the s For the construction of the Monastery of El Escorial which must have used a very diverse specific instrument This palette is a sample of these various tools Leonardo da Vinci wrote that water was a substantial part of the Earth and of the human being His codices are full of notes and drawings from his studies on hydraulics This interest of Leonardo reflects the efforts of the Renaissance to know the nature of water and to carry out constructions to be able to store it Hydraulic projects also proliferated in Renaissance Spain Madrid and the court promoted some of the most ambitious which aimed to beautify the king's palaces but also to improve the situation of the capital and the country Some of these constructions were at the forefront of contemporary Europe they were drawn by engineers of diverse origins born in the four cardinal points of the continent but who moved among the main courts of the time and shared knowledge and aspirations Model of a mill for rolling and minting currency of the Royal Mint of SegoviaBefore 1868Elm wood Historical model of one of the laminating and minting machines that operated in the Royal Mint of Segovia from 1585 to 1866 which substantially improved the production of coins arrived in Segovia from the Hall Mint in Austria at the request of Philip II to his cousin Similar mills were installed in the mints of Cuenca Luis CarduchiTagus river choreography Stretch of the Tagus river where it joins the GuadarramaXNUMXth century copyPaper and watercolorRoyal Academy of History the military engineer Giovanni Battista Antonelli carried out a series of works to navigate the Tagus River and thus more effectively communicate the interior of the peninsula with the Atlantic the dream of navigating rivers and artificial canals did not disappear talented people from Europe came to court to put their knowledge at the service of the kings The moment of greatest splendor took place during the reign of Felipe II stands out the probable authorship of the most important hydraulics treatise of the time: The twenty-one books of ingenuity and machines which anticipated those that would be current in the Industrial Revolution two centuries later But not only were there exceptional engineers at court there were also them in the towns and villages developing innovative mills a versatile inventor who wrote a manuscript that allows us to discover the high level of popular Spanish technique This treatise includes varied subjects on science the length of the topics covered and his complete exposition on the technique of water make him one of the first and most important hydraulics texts to be found in scientific literature The original was written between 1564 and 1575 and the manuscript preserved in five volumes in the National Library is a XNUMXth century copy Jerónimo de Ayanz patent1606Paper and inkSpain This patent granted by Felipe III includes inventions as varied as an ejector to extract the contaminated air from the mines a precision scale capable of weighing "the leg of a fly" a mechanism to drain the mines based on the steam power a system for measuring the mechanical performance of machines Thanks to the testimony of the Florentine painter Vicente Carducho we have news of the presence in Madrid in 1620 of two codices by Leonardo da Vinci Carducho mentions having seen them at Juan de Espina Velasco's house Although born in Madrid and a prominent courtier the Espina family estate was located in Ampuero Juan de Espina managed to form a magnificent cabinet of wonders in his Madrid residence His gallery coexisted with collections of natural objects (nature) instruments and decorative and exotic elements (artificial) which has allowed a part of Leonardo's work in Spain to be preserved to this day Espina was also known for its spectacular parties which were sometimes attended by the best of the court set design tricks and special effects caused astonishment to which the literature of the time contributed Comedies about him continued to be published for years until the historical figure was overshadowed by the character The valuation of Leonardo's work also evolved over the years His worth as an artist surpassed the rest of his talents and his manuscripts became an object of collection and not study The fact that these were never published prevented further dissemination of their knowledge Only his thoughts and annotations on painting were compiled at his death by Francesco Melzi forming what is known as painting treatment by Leonardo da Vinci This allowed the dissemination of his studies on light and shadows the theory of perspective based on the use of color and his observations on the landscape Studies and theories first edited in 1651 by Raphael du Fresne in Paris The first Spanish edition appeared in 1784 Proof of Leonardo's influence and inspiration on other artists are the drawings that have been selected for this room Jan Brueghel of VeloursWorldly vanityyes seventeenthOil on boardCasa de Alba Foundation Many of the elements reflected in this vanity de Brueghel evoke the personal universe of Juan de Espina sculptures and art objects reflect the collections of his famous cabinet of wonders The armor refers to its military beginnings; the instruments to their important innovations in the field of music; the court party and the popular street celebration evoke the festivities and shows that made him famous at court Anonymous ItalianStudy of the Fight of a Dragon with a Lionh.1500Laid paper sanguine and white leadRoyal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando This drawing is probably the oldest surviving copy of a lost Leonardo da Vinci original The Milanese theorist Lomazzo in his Treatise on the art of painting sculpture and architecture collects Giovan Francesco Melzi's allusion to a drawing by Leonardo on this subject in which he uses anamorphic perspective Until now it was believed that Leonardo's lost composition was transmitted from an engraving and from a drawing of this preserved in the Uffizi but anatomical details and compositional variations that only appear in the drawing of the academy demonstrate that it is previous The catalog of Ingenuity at the service of power The codices of Leonardo da Vinci in the court of the HabsburgsIt can be purchased at the exhibition itself and at the Institutional Library of the Official Gazette of the Community of Madrid His professional career is linked to the recreation of historical environments and processes using digital techniques She has been director of audiovisuals and new technologies in important museums and exhibitions It is worth highlighting the new assembly of the National Archaeological Museum The Delfin Treasure Room of the Prado Museum Or the Museum of the Real Maestranza de Caballería de Ronda He has collaborated with the Community of Madrid in exhibitions such as "Ventura Rodríguez architect of illustration" and "A court for the king With the Institute of Cultural Heritage of Spain in “La España de Laurent A photographic walk through history ”And with Empty in other projects such as the multi-screen installation for the exhibition“ El Greco or the stereoscopic short films for the exhibitions on the Canal de Isabel II:“ Alejandría el Sueño de Alejandro Magno ”And“ Leonardo Da Vinci As a digital imaging technician and visual effects coordinator she specializes in the digital recreation of historical environments She is a regular contributor to the El Ranchito studio With them he has been responsible for the digital recreation of great ancient cities: Alexandria in the XNUMXth century for the film Ágora Or Tenochtitlán for the television series "Hernán" And he has participated in important international projects such as the HBO series “Game of Thrones” or the National Geographic documentary “Cosmos and collaborates in conferences and publications Researcher at the Juanelo Turriano Foundation and professor in the Department of Art History at the Complutense University of Madrid He is the author of a dozen monographs in prestigious Spanish publishers (Akal Polifemo ...) and more than fifty articles in books specialized magazines and national and international conferences He has participated in various national Research and Development projects and is a member of the board of the Spanish Society for 2020th Century Studies His research has focused on the definition of the concept of progress and development in the Modern Age as well as on aspects related to construction fine arts and the territory in that period In XNUMX he was curator of the exhibition “Sueño e Ingenio Civil engineering books in Spain: from the Renaissance to the Enlightenment ” Doctor in Physical Sciences and Law Degree Retired Professor of the Department of Applied Mathematics (Faculty of Sciences University of Valladolid) and currently Honorary Collaborator of the University of Valladolid Foreign Member of the History Academy From Portugal Corresponding Member of the Marine Academy from Portugal Member of the Institute of History Simancas of the Univ Responsible Researcher or Participant in thirteen National and Regional Research Projects on the History of Science and Technology book chapters) on the History of Science and Technology Participation in different activities on Dissemination of Science and Technology (author / curator of museum content exhibitions and planetarium programs; teaching of courses and seminars The dissemination of the progress of science and technology in Spain (1850 to 1950) 1940) is a retired professor of Fluid Mechanics at the Polytechnic University School of Valladolid and is a full member of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of La Purísima Concepción he is a corresponding academic of the Academia de Marina de Lisboa and the Portuguese Academy of History He studied Industrial Technical Engineering at the University of Valladolid and completed his studies with a degree in Hydraulic Engineering from the University of Grenoble (France) Later he completed a Bachelor of Art History and is a Doctor in this specialty His research has been directed towards the History of Engineering and he is the author of more than 150 publications including books 1982) is a career civil servant in the Body of Secondary Education Teachers in the specialty of Biology and Geology and a contracted professor at the Catholic University of Ávila he is a collaborating member of the Gran Duque de Alba Institution He is a Forestry Engineer and has a degree in Environmental Sciences from the Catholic University of Ávila and a PhD from the University of Valladolid His research has focused on the History of Technology and he is the author of several publications related to this discipline Graduated in Art History from the Complutense University of Madrid in June 1995 with an Extraordinary Degree Award Certificate of Research Sufficiency in September 1998 In his doctoral thesis he has dealt with the figure of Cardinal Granvelle (1517-1586) as an artistic agent for the House of Austria He has received several pre-doctoral scholarships including the one for Training of Research Personnel of the Ministry of Education between 1997-2000 and that of the Vocal for National Heritage Cultural Programs in 2001 Labor Contract at the National Museum of Decorative Arts 1996 she has held the position of Curator of the Royal Monastery of El Escorial (National Heritage) He has collaborated in numerous exhibitions among which it is worth highlighting Philip II A prince of the Renaissance (Museo Nacional del Prado 1998) and most of the exhibitions organized by the National Heritage since 2003 His research has been reflected in numerous scientific publications and conferences on collecting and patronage at the court of Felipe II and the Monastery of El Escorial in the XNUMXth century especially on subjects such as portraiture Doctor in Classical Philology from the Complutense University of Madrid (1974) Palaeographus et archivarius:  Schola Vaticana de re palaeographica Archives: Schola Vaticana de re palaeographica Palaeographia graeca: Schola Vaticana de re palaeographica Bibliotheconomy: Vatican Apostolic Library (Città del Vaticano) Emeritus Professor of Paleography and Diplomatics (Fac Corresponding member of the Royal Academy of History (2002) Member of APICES (Association paléographique internationale: culture -écriture-societé) Member of the International Scientific Committee of CRELEB Medal of Honor awarded by the Complutense University for national and international research work Member of the Board of the Royal Board of the BNE Decoration of the "Palmes Académiques" of France He has been the only Spanish researcher invited to participate in the International Congress organized in honor of Leonardo He has curated various exhibitions on Leonardo da Vinci She is the author of more than 200 publications Basque wins ahead of teammate Yurani Blanco and Mavi García in San Lorenzo de El Escorial Usoa Ostolaza (Laboral Kutxa-Fundación Euskadi) is the new Spanish road champion breaking Mavi García’s longstanding dominance of the event in a dramatic finale on the traditional circuit in San Lorenzo de El Escorial Ostolaza’s teammate Yurani Blanco entered the final 15km with a minute’s advantage over a small chasing group that was powered by García The Liv-Alula-Jayco rider was seeking a fifth consecutive title – and a sixth in total – and she battled gamely to get back into contention in the finale García and Ostolaza caught Blanco with 1.5km remaining and they were joined soon afterwards by Sara Martín (Movistar) The four riders fought out victory in the finale with Ostolaza powering clear to claim the title while García outsprinted Martín for bronze “The truth is I can’t believe it,” Ostolaza said “This is a victory for all the team because without them it wouldn’t have been possible You have to believe and then give it everything you have “We have a good team and that gave us an advantage I came to the finale with strength left and I was able to win.” Whether you want to immerse yourself in nature or soak up Spain’s rich history by strolling through historic neighbourhoods take a look at these inspiring day trips from Madrid Built in the 16th century by King Philip II Put aside some time to explore the town itself or take the Madrid commuter train from Atocha the area also offers visitors the chance to hike through serene scenery Buses can take up to an hour and run regularly from the Castellana-Hospital La Paz stop © Victor Carretero Barbero / Getty Images View Cercedilla Tours When the heat of the city gets to be too much take the Línea de Cercanías C8B 50km (31mi) north to Cercedilla Surrounded by mountains and easy-to-follow hiking trails the area has routes that range from easy strolls to epic five-hour treks Try the yellow trail up to the Collado Ventoso It’s here that you’ll also find the Tren de la Naturaleza a scenic train journey that runs on a handful of select days through the sierra Be sure to book early to avoid disappointment Mick Haupt / Unsplash View Consuegra Tours Follow in the footsteps of Spanish author Miguel de Cervantes and take a pilgrimage to Consuegra to see the 12 windmills that he famously confused for giants in his 17th-century novel The mills share their perch with the ruins of a 10th-century castle which was the base for the Order of St John during the 12th century head into Consuegra’s tiny town and enjoy a selection of tapas at one of the nearby local cafés The journey to Consuegra can be slightly challenging which take approximately two and a half hours per day that you can book through InterBus Sign up to our newsletter to save up to $800 on our unique trips See privacy policy Dmitry Romanoff / Unsplash View Segovia Tours Situated northwest of Madrid is the ancient city of Segovia The historic architectural site features a UNESCO-listed Roman aqueduct that dates back to AD 81 and is known as one of the best extant examples of Roman architecture in Spain you will also find the impressive 16th-century Gothic-style Segovia Cathedral and a Medieval alcázar Foodies should make a beeline for Mesón de Cándido a popular family-run restaurant with views over the aqueduct the cochinillo asado – a local speciality of roast suckling pig with train trips taking only 30 minutes and leaving from Madrid Chamartín station regularly Taisia Karaseva / Unsplash View Seville Tours Take the train two and a half hours south of Madrid A visit to the Alcázar of Seville – an ornately tiled Moorish palace – is worth the trip alone The alcázar is famous for being one of the best examples of Mudejar architecture existing today in Spain Combine this with a 26-metre-high (85-foot-high) walk along the Metropol Parasol (the world’s largest wooden structure) and a bite to eat at Mercado de Feria (Seville’s indoor food market) and you’ve got yourself one perfect day trip Victoria Poveda / Unsplash View Alcala de Henares Tours Explore the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Alcalá de Henares a quaint Medieval city located next to Spain’s Henares River As the city is famous for being the birthplace of Miguel de Cervantes literary fans can get a fascinating insight into the 16th- and 17th-century writer’s childhood home which is now the Museo Casa Natal de Cervantes Keep an eye out for white storks roosting on rooftops from mid-October to early August too – Alcalá de Henares is famous for them Bravo Soler / Getty Images Only a short one-and-a-half-hour drive north from Madrid you will find the ancient forest of Hayedo de Montejo Part of the Sierra del Rincón Biosphere Reserve this hidden forest attracts 25,000 nature-loving tourists per year who all come to see its renowned beech trees the number of people allowed to visit each day is restricted See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in July See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in Summer Guides & Tips How to Attend a Bullfight in Spain Guides & Tips The Best European Cities to Visit in December Food & Drink The 5 Best Food Markets in Madrid Architecture Spain’s Most Impressive Bullrings See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in October See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in Autumn Guides & Tips The Best European Cities to Visit in November Guides & Tips How to Spend the Perfect 24 Hours in Santander See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in September Art 10 Madrid Galleries for Contemporary Art Lovers US: +1 (678) 967 4965 | UK: +44 (0)1630 35000 tripssupport@theculturetrip.com © Copyright 2025 The Culture Trip Ltd Panteón Real de El Escorial (photograph by Bocachete/Wikimedia) Every royal family has its ostentatious burial chamber, from Basilique Saint-Denis in France to the Hapsburg Imperial Crypt in Austria. In Spain, 26 gold and marble tombs are installed in San Lorenzo del Escorial containing every monarch since the 16th century’s Charles V before these regal remains are allowed to enter their gilded sepulchers they must first be reduced to bones in the “Rotting Room.” and even arranged with its granite architecture like the gridiron on which San Lorenzo was roasted alive Felipe II also designed it as his own tomb Diagram of the Royal Pantheon (by SalomonSegundo/Wikimedia) It’s here where for at least 20 years mortal kings — and queens who birthed kings — decompose beneath lime until they are completely bone so whether Juan Carlos will be eternally among the glimmering gold tombs of the past Spanish monarchs remains a question.  Tombs of Carlos and Felipe in the Pantheon (photograph by Gabriel Rodríguez/Flickr) The Royal Pantheon (photograph by Alberto/Flickr) photograph by Bocachete/Wikimedia photograph by Rogelio/Flickr Stairs down to the Pantheon (photograph by losmininos/Flickr) Morbid Mondays highlight macabre stories from around the world and through time, indulging in our morbid curiosity for stories from history’s darkest corners. Read more Morbid Mondays> We depend on ad revenue to craft and curate stories about the world’s hidden wonders Consider supporting our work by becoming a member for as little as $5 a month Follow us on Twitter to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders Like us on Facebook to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders the representation of the nativity is an art in itself Nativity scenes are the icing on the cake of Christmas in Madrid Visiting the nativity scenes of Madrid is the highlight of any Christmas plan They are part of the obligatory itinerary of the outings and routes through the city at this time the little ones discover the history surrounding the most famous nativity scene in the world Nativity scenes in Madrid have historical and artistic value and a long tradition Especially for the variety of Neapolitan nativity scenes -the oldest form of this representation of the crib- which originated in southern Italy and was promoted in Spain by Charles III The nativity scene of the Madrid City Hall is one of the most popular in the city It consists of 200 pieces and is a creation of the master craftsman José Luis Mayo Lebrija This representation gives life to the scenography designed by the Association of Nativity Scenes of Madrid It is located in CentroCentro of the Palacio de Cibeles 2025 will be open to the public this Neapolitan crib of the eighteenth century that is one of the most valuable works that houses the Museum of History of Madrid It is composed of 50 pieces articulated in an oriental scenography that reflects the spirit of Baroque culture through the movement of the figures and fabrics It can be visited during normal museum hours there will be a brief explanation of the iconography of the cribs with special attention to the Neapolitan and a detailed analysis of the eastern figures This nativity scene with life-size figures returns to San Lorenzo de El Escorial and celebrates 28 years adorning Christmas in this town in the mountains of Madrid It has been declared a Festival of Regional Tourist Interest and can be seen in the Plaza de Jacinto Benavente from December 7 at 1 pm The 500 life-size handmade figures that make it up will be distributed throughout the historic center of the town Location: Jacinto Benavente Square (San Lorenzo de El Escorial) THE BEST OF THE AMERICAN LATINO & MULTICULTURAL EXPERIENCE The Felipe II Train starts its journey at the Principe Pío train station in the heart of the Spanish capital of Madrid It has a locomotive from 1960 and has four passenger cars from 1940. Despite its age restoration efforts on the machine allow it to travel up to 100 kilometers per hour the Felipe II Train continues its journey through the Sierra de Guadarrama and after a 50-minute journey it arrives at the San Lorenzo de El Escorial train station This city is home to the Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial built in the 16th century between 1563 and 1584 attracts thousands of local and foreign tourists every year who enjoy the cultural Visitors will also be able to discover the Casita del Príncipe the Casita de los Infantes or the Carlos III Coliseum and walk through the picturesque town that preserves the period's architectural richness Tickets for the Felipe II train are available online for 20 euros. There are different types of experiences that even include the tickets for the Royal Monastery plus guided tours. There is also the possibility of renting train cars or even the entire train for family or company events. The historical tourist trip owes its name to Felipe II (anglicized as Philip II), called 'El Prudente,' was king of Spain, Naples and Sicily, Portugal and the Algarves, and of England and Ireland jure uxoris. He is considered one of the most important monarchs in history. He was the son and heir of Carlos I of Spain and Isabella of Portugal, brother of María de Austria and Juana de Austria, paternal grandson of Juana I de Castilla and Felipe I 'El Hermoso,' and of Manuel I of Portugal and María de Aragon through his mother's side. History says that Felipe II modernized the first world empire where "the Sun never set," and integrated territories from all continents, leading to numerous conflicts with various international powers. In 1561, Felipe II moved the capital of Spain to Madrid and in 1563 he began the construction of the El Escorial Monastery, where he died on Sept. 13, 1598 at the age of 71. THE BEST OF THE AMERICAN MULTICULTURAL EXPERIENCE Madrid’s new Royal Collections Gallery (Galería de las Colecciones Reales), due to open on 29 June, will unite the Spanish Crown’s most remarkable treasures under one roof. It marks the culmination of 25 years of work to establish a museum dedicated to a collection that, until now, has been scattered between royal sites around the country or kept in storage. The plans actually date back to the 1930s, but the Spanish Civil War thwarted construction. In 1998, the Spanish government rebooted the initiative, prompting a major shake-up of the country’s royal collections and sites. The museum’s director, Leticia Ruiz, says the objects on show in Madrid have been carefully selected to “leave no gaps” in the displays of their former sites. At the Royal Palace of La Granja de San Ildefonso, for example, an 18th-century palace situated in a small town near Segovia, Ruiz says Patrimonio Nacional has “taken some works but also added even more” to “strengthen” its museum. Some have raised concerns, however, that the Royal Collections Gallery will be a blow to cultural tourism in the regions, further enriching a capital that already boasts famed museums. Several pieces in the new museum have been transferred from the monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, an hour away from Madrid. The monastery is Spain’s second most visited royal site, drawing 375,000 visitors in 2022—just over a third of the annual visitors to Madrid’s Royal Palace. “It’s great that they want to boost tourism in Madrid but it shouldn’t be at the cost of reducing visitors in other areas that need it even more,” says Carlos Tarrío, a town councillor from San Lorenzo de El Escorial. The council called on Patrimonio Nacional last year to halt the transfer of objects from the monastery to the Royal Collections Gallery, but the attempt was unsuccessful. The council also requested the reopening of two museums at the monastery, which have been closed since 2015, but Tarrío says it received no clear answer. Patrimonio Nacional tells The Art Newspaper that renovation works on the two museums are expected to begin in early 2025. While some of the objects in the Royal Collections Gallery will eventually rotate back to their original sites, Tarrío says the residents of San Lorenzo are frustrated by the “total lack of information” from heritage officials. “We are not against the project, but this is not the way to go forward,” he says. Ruiz counters that the Madrid displays are an innovative addition to the Spanish and European museums landscape, offering visitors the opportunity to discover other royal sites. She points to the value of reinterpreting the objects, explaining the historical and cultural significance of each Spanish dynasty with the help of state-of-the-art audiovisuals. “People think that this museum might be plundering [regional sites], when it’s not,” she says. “This is about leveraging the whole institution and making us all better. From a tourism point of view, [the Royal Collections Gallery] is like having a display window for each royal site in the most central place possible.” The opening of the Royal Collections Gallery coincides with the start of Spain’s presidency of the Council of the European Union and its special cultural programme in and outside Spain during the second half of 2023. news4 May 2015Row over Old Masters flares up in MadridNational heritage office says the Prado should hand over four paintings for new Royal Collections museum archive27 November 1990Museum boom planned for Spanish capitalVast collections emerge: archaeology exclusive experiences and our expertly curated destination guides reviews of rare spirits and delicious cocktail recipes pioneering yacht builds and boundary-pushing private jets Explore the worlds of haute horology and fine jewelry as well as carefully selected style guides Explore the finest properties on the market standout interior styling and architectural wonders From science-backed retreats to traditional spas Be inspired by our conversations with Leaders in Luxury Elite Collections is a trusted distinction of excellence Get insider access to luxury’s best-kept secrets and exclusive offers Elevate your inbox with the best in refined living Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter.You will recieve a confirmation shortly Sponsored: From summer palaces to water gardens discover the royal sites to visit on your next Spanish vacation While the British royal family is undoubtedly the most world-famous monarchy Spain is another European country with a long line of royal family members – and host of impressive must-see royal sites – with a lineage that dates back to the 8th century The majority of Spain’s significant royal sites are in close proximity to Madrid making the capital city a perfect base for visitors hoping to enjoy a royal tour of the country those venturing to the south of Spain will also be pleased to find that they can visit one of Spain’s most intriguing royal sites in Seville From summer palaces and official residences to water gardens and hunting lodges discover the royal sites you need to visit on your next trip to Spain below all of which welcome visitors to step inside their magical royal world [See also: An Art Trail Through Spain] The Royal Palace of Madrid is considered to be the largest of Europe’s palaces / ©Shutterstock Named as the Royal family of Spain’s official residence the Royal Palace of Madrid is a must-see royal site for anyone hoping to immerse themselves in the country’s history and is one of Madrid’s most visited destinations Despite its title of official royal residence the reigning monarch does not actually live at the Palace of Madrid The monarch uses Zarzuela Palace as the family home with the Madrid place being used primarily for state dinners and receptions the Royal Palace of Madrid welcomes visitors to explore its vast halls The existing palace was completed in 1755 under the guidance of King Philip V after a fire destroyed the previous palace that sat on the site the palace has received numerous expansions and redecorations but still remains one of Spain’s finest examples of Baroque architecture The palace’s interiors are all that you would expect of such a significant royal site glittering crystal chandeliers and rich tapestries littered throughout the adjoining perfectly manicured Sabatini Gardens are also well worth a visit You may be surprised to learn that the Royal Palace of Madrid is considered to be the largest of Europe’s palaces; covering an impressive 1,453,122 sq ft of floor space with some 3000 rooms the Spanish royal residence dwarfs the likes of England’s Buckingham Palace and France’s Palace of Versailles The Royal Palace of Madrid is open to visitors seven days a week See website for seasonal opening times and holiday closures patrimonionacional.es/palacio-real-de-madrid The Royal Seat of San Lorenzo de El Escorial’s exterior is a fine example of classic Spanish renaissance architecture / ©Shutterstock Found in the town of San Lorenzo de El Escorial some 28 miles northwest of Madrid the eponymous Royal Seat of San Lorenzo de El Escorial was commissioned by King Phillip II for multiple purposes: the reigning king intended it to be a final resting place for his late father a monastery and a royal palace – although Phillip II is the only monarch who ever resided there El Escorial has served numerous purposes in addition to its intended three It also became a burial site for the majority of the county’s monarchs in the past five centuries cementing its status as a must-see royal site in Spain the vast building complex is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site The building’s exterior is a fine example of classic Spanish renaissance architecture with its austere and perfectly symmetrical structure visible from miles around with the frescoed vaulted ceilings in the monastery’s library drawing plenty of attention El Escorial is open Tuesday through Sunday year-round with holiday exceptions; see website for summer/winter opening hours patrimonionacional.es/san-lorenzo-del-escorial Until the 19th century many reigning monarchs chose to hold court in the Royal Palace of Aranjuez during spring and summer / ©Shutterstock the Spanish royal family traditionally use one of their many properties as a summer residence; up until the 19th century many reigning Spanish monarchs chose to hold court in the Royal Palace of Aranjuez during the warmer months of the year Although formally established in the 16th century under King Philip II Arunjuez’s site had been used by the royal family to house a hunting lodge for almost a hundred years prior The Italian-inspired palace holds boundless beauty behind its equally impressive exterior as visitors are banned from taking photographs inside the palace walls Although much of the building is open to the public – including the throne room king and queen’s bedroom and dressing rooms and the ballroom – it is the famous Porcelain Room that stands out the Porcelain Room’s ceiling and walls are adorned with intricate Chinese-inspired porcelain figures and motifs all of which are open for visitors to explore with the sprawling Prince’s Garden being the largest which has been declared as a UNESCO Cultural Landscape World Heritage Site the town holds many architectural gems throughout its streets with the old quarter a particular favorite among visitors The Royal Palace of Aranjuez and surrounding gardens are open Tuesday through Sunday year-round patrimonionacional.es/royal-palace-aranjuez The gardens at the Royal Palace of La Granja are considered to be one of the finest examples of an 18th century French formal garden in Spain / ©Shutterstock Found in the small hillside town of San Ildefonso the Royal Palace of La Granja was initially commissioned as a royal residence in the early 1700s by King Philip V having recently fallen in love with the surrounding landscape Despite Philip’s intention to retire to the palace when he abdicated in 1724 the death of his heir meant that La Granja had to be used as an official royal residence During its time as one of the court’s summer residences the splendid palace played host to a large number of grand events formal burials and political meetings all having taken place inside its walls the Royal Palace of La Granja’s architecture is jaw-droppingly ornate approaching visitors are welcomed by a columned façade that draws inspiration from both French and Italian architecture; inside Carrara marble sculptures sit underneath mesmerizing frescoes lining the vaulted ceilings While the palace itself is a beautiful structure Philip V was concerned with ensuring the surrounding gardens were of equal beauty the gardens at the Royal Palace of La Granja are considered to be one of the finest examples of an 18th century French formal garden in Spain with the abundance of sculptural fountains and water features opening it up to many comparisons to Versailles (which was built by Philip V’s grandfather) Although in the current day it is unusual for all fountains to be flowing together (such excitement is reserved for special events) the gardens still make for a wonderful tour Royal Palace of La Granja and gardens is open Tuesday through Sunday and is closed on certain holidays; see website for seasonal opening hours and ‘Extraordinary Openings.’ patrimonionacional.es/royal-palace-la-granja The majestic inner courtyard is encompassed by four striking pink façades / ©Shutterstock Drive just twenty minutes west of the Royal Palace of La Granja and you will stumble upon a lesser-known example of Spain’s most significant royal sites: the Royal Palace of Riofrío The complex was initially commissioned to become the home of Queen Elisabeth Farnese following the death of her husband King Philip V in 1746; however it is thought that she never actually lived there and the place was left empty for over a hundred years The palace was designed to reflect the former queen’s Italian heritage with architect Virgilio Rabaglio adopting the country’s signature square floor plan and orderly appearance that is reminiscent of Roman architecture The majestic inner courtyard is encompassed by four striking pink façades which are thrown into stark contrast against the greenery of the surrounding Riofrío Forest Although the Palace of Riofrío never became a permanent royal residence the surrounding forest made it a popular spot for royal hunting expeditions; in modern times the forest is a protected ecological and biological reserve Thanks to a nationwide program dedicated to restoring and maintaining Spain’s royal sites for visitor use including the recovery of much of the original décor from its mid-19th century decoration at the hands of king consort Francisco de Asis The palace has also received some 500 artworks from other Spanish royal sites Both Royal Palace of Riofrío and Riofrío Forest welcome visitors throughout the year Tuesday through Sunday; see website for specific opening hours patrimonionacional.es/royal-palace-riofrio [See also: The Best Alternative City Breaks in Spain] It is thought that the Alcázar no longer bears any of its original build / ©Shutterstock With origins tracing back as far as the Moorish rule the Royal Alcázar of Seville is considered to be one of Europe’s oldest royal palaces the Alcázar has been home to a number of significant figures the upper quarters of the Alcázar still act as the royal family’s official residence when in Seville It is thought that the Alcázar no longer bears any of its original build; instead it has become a melting pot of architectural styles as residents throughout the years refurbished and redecorated from ornate Mudéjar decoration to striking Gothic designs Since 1987 Alcázar has been noted as a UNESCO World Heritage site with visitors welcomed to visit the palace Thanks to its completely unique jumble of historical design the site has been used as the backdrop for many a film and TV show; you’re likely to spot a backdrop you recognize on your visit The Royal Alcázar of Seville is open daily throughout the year; see website for tickets patrimonionacional.es/upper-chambers-royal-alcazars-seville San Lorenzo de El Escorial, Spain, Apr 24 (EFE).- The remains of the founder of the fascist Falange Española movement, José Antonio Primo de Rivera, were exhumed on Monday. Primo de Rivera was shot in 1936, the year the Spanish Civil War began, after he was convicted by a popular court of conspiracy and military rebellion against the government of the Second Republic. His death, at the age of 33, made him a mythical figure among the fascist rebels against the Socialist republic and later among supporters of general Francisco Franco’s regime. His tomb was in the basilica at the previously named Valle de los Caidos (‘Valley of the Fallen’), a triumphalist mausoleum that was erected after Franco’s victory in the 1936-39 Civil War. The site, which became a symbol of Spanish fascism, has since been re-named Cuelgamuros Valley, as it was originally known, and can now only hold the remains of those who died as a result of the Civil War. Primo de Rivera’s remains had been there since the mausoleum was opened 64 years ago. Franco would later be buried next to him. The dictator’s remains were exhumed in 2019 after the Spanish socialist government passed the Historical Memory Law, which addresses the legacy of the dictatorship that lasted from the end of the civil war until Franco’s death in 1975. One of the law’s aims is to restore “justice, reparation and dignity” to the victims of the Spanish civil war and the fascist regime by removing symbols and monuments that honor fascist leaders such as Franco and Primo de Rivera. The remains of the founder of the Falange will be reburied in the Madrid cemetery of San Isidro, the oldest in the capital, where other relatives are buried, such as his siblings Miguel and Pilar. Primo de Rivera’s exhumation began behind closed doors early on Monday morning, the 120th anniversary of his birth. The coffin was taken to the cemetery in a hearse, escorted by the Civil Guard and by a long retinue of his relatives. Around 100 people, including many onlookers, came to the gates of the cemetery of San Isidro to wait for the remains, several wearing T-shirts and armbands with Spain’s national flag, as well as Falange flags and symbols. EFE The organisation responsible for managing a number of royal residences in Spain has confirmed that a Titian painting is undergoing restoration after it fell off the wall in the Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial. The work was on display in the Sacristy which is not publicly accessible. The lower part of the painting, which depicts the Crucifixion (around 1555), was torn after the piece loosened due to weak wall fastenings. Crucially, the figure of Christ was undamaged. “Detaching from the wall caused a considerable horizontal tear [across the canvas support],” says an official statement. “The painting did not fall to the ground [contrary to press reports]. After coming away from the wall, it fell onto a dresser containing liturgical objects,” the statement adds. “The surface of the painting was not harmed; it was sent immediately to the restoration workshops at the Royal Palace of Madrid to be restored.” Conservation experts from museums including the Museo del Prado will also be consulted during the restoration process. The town of San Lorenzo de El Escorial is located about 35 miles northwest of Madrid. El Escorial is a royal complex built in the 16th century which incorporates a monastery, library and museum. news18 June 2018Can the Glasgow School of Art be saved after second fire?Anger as focus turns to cause of blaze that ripped through Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s masterpiece news8 May 2018Paris mayor wants to turn city into ‘refuge’ for works in conflict zonesAnne Hidalgo’s plan involves storing items threatened by conflict in buildings owned by the city authority This year’s must-see shows range from a Nordic Pavilion exploring transgender spaces to a compelling Lebanese project confronting the realities of ecocide Frieze returns to The Shed in May with more than 65 of the world’s leading contemporary art galleries and the acclaimed Focus section led by Lumi Tan An oil painting by the Venetian master has incurred a 90cm tear after falling from a wall in a royal monastery A painting by Titian has been badly damaged, after becoming detached from a wall in the Sacristy at the Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial in Spain, according to The Art Newspaper The painting hit a dresser and incurred a 90cm horizontal tear across its canvas support which has affected the lower part of the work The c.1555 oil painting by the Venetian master depicts Christ’s crucifixion The figure of Jesus was not damaged in the accident The painting was immediately taken to the restoration workshops at the Royal Palace of Madrid including representatives from the Museo del Prado will carry out repairs to the 16th-century masterpiece the organisation responsible for managing royal residences in Spain including the Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial sent a statement to frieze confirming that the probably cause of the fall was weak wall fastenings: ‘material degradation of the plaster coating of the wall to which the painting was anchored’ The work did not fall to the ground and the pictorial layer of the work has not been damaged From Tarek Atoui’s rousing soundscapes to Pol Taburet’s haunting figures an expansive show dedicated to the artist alludes to the broader challenges of mid-career retrospectives At Centro Andaluz de Arte Contemporáneo the artist’s earthen installations address the contested history of land With a wealth of experience in the art world McMillan will guide the New York fair into its next exciting chapter A renowned novelist wanders the city's streets immersed in its cultural offerings with one rule: no idling the director delves further into the difficulties of Spain's political past Cultural workers in Germany bristle at new lockdown measures; plus Plus: Bonaventure Soh Bejeng Ndikung wins Berlin’s Order of Merit and other art news from Europe brings together six late works that pose questions about our current world An interview with Germany’s minister of culture Two new exhibitions – from Bo Lee and Workman while Lehmann Maupin’s curated study of artists’ materials continues The artist is inviting Frieze fairgoers and New Yorkers to be part of a unique work that looks at the ecosystem of cities and our place in it Live art meets sound and mysterious performances for this year's artist projects featuring Pilvi Takala Bringing strong experience in the art market and a rich appreciation for historical art Tarizzo will lead the fair into its new chapter © FRIEZE 2025 Cookie Settings | Do Not Sell My Personal Information MADRID (AP) — Spain has exhumed the remains of Spanish dictator Gen Francisco Franco from his grandiose mausoleum outside Madrid so he can be reburied in a small family crypt north of the capital closed-door operation on Thursday satisfies a decades-old desire of many in Spain who considered the vainglorious mausoleum that Franco built an affront to the tens of thousands who died in Spain’s Civil War and his subsequent regime and to Spain’s standing as a modern democratic state After his coffin was extracted from under marble slabs and two tons of granite a brief prayer was said in line with a request from Franco’s family The dictator’s body was then carried out of the mausoleum and is to be taken by helicopter or by hearse to Mingorrubio cemetery where his wife is buried — a 57-kilometer (35-mile) drive away Relatives of late Spanish dictator Francisco Franco carry his coffin after the exhumation at The Valle de los Caidos (The Valley of the Fallen) in San Lorenzo de El Escorial In a bid to guarantee privacy and avoid the actual exhumation operation being videoed and posted on social media the government banned cameras and mobile phones among the 22 Franco family members government authorities and workers allowed into the mausoleum the government banned a demonstration against the exhumation by Franco supporters at the Mingorrubio cemetery although some 400 people some waving Franco-era flags and symbols and chanting “Viva Franco” gathered near the cemetery while police looked on said she felt “outraged” with what was happening and accused the government of “desecrating a tomb.” A helicopter carrying the coffin with the remains of late Spanish dictator Francisco Franco flies out of The Valle de los Caidos (The Valley of the Fallen) on its way to Mingorrubio cemetery Ex-Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero told Spanish national television that the exhumation “has great significance for our democracy Today our democracy is more perfect.” According to the Spanish daily newspaper El Pais it’s a major moment for the country: “Spain finishes with the last major symbol of the dictatorship,” it said in its main headline to its print edition Thursday The exhumation and reburial will not put an end to Franco’s legacy on Spain’s political scene since it comes just weeks ahead of the country’s Nov WATCH: Political conflict arises in Spain over the fate of Franco’s body after he and other officers led a military insurrection against the Spanish democratic government in 1936 a move that started a three-year civil war he viewed the war and ensuing dictatorship as something of a religious crusade against anarchist along with a profoundly conservative Catholic Church ensured that Spain remained virtually isolated from political industrial and cultural developments in Europe for nearly four decades The country returned to democracy three years after his death but his legacy and his place in Spanish political history still sparks rancor and passion thousands of people commemorated the anniversary of his Nov death in Madrid’s central Plaza de Oriente esplanade and at the Valley of the Fallen mausoleum outside of the capital And although the dictator’s popularity has waned immensely the exhumation has been criticized by Franco’s relatives Spain’s three main right-wing parties and some members of the Catholic Church for opening old political wounds A general view of The Valle de los Caidos (The Valley of the Fallen) in San Lorenzo de El Escorial The exhumation was finally authorized by the Supreme Court in September when it dismissed a months-long legal bid by Franco’s family to stop it The exhumation stemmed from amendments of a 2007 Historical Memory Law passed by Zapatero’s government that aimed to seek redress for the estimated 100,000 victims of the civil war and the Franco era who are buried in unmarked graves including thousands at the Valley of the Fallen The legislation prohibited having Franco’s remains in a public place that exalted him as a political figure Having been unable to press ahead with the exhumation last year Spain’s interim Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez wanted the exhumation and the reburial completed by the Nov a move that opposition parties say smacks of electioneering AP writer Aritz Parra contributed to this story © 1996 - 2025 NewsHour Productions LLC PBS is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization Subscribe to Here's the Deal with Lisa Desjardins Card payment on intercity buses is starting to become a reality that will be gradually extended and will reach the entire network by June 2025 not having cash is no longer an impediment to travel on the green buses of four municipalities of the Community of Madrid: San Lorenzo de El Escorial Pozuelo de Alarcón and Arganda del Rey have since last Tuesday with the option of payment by bank card in their intercity buses will allow those who use these buses to pay their single ticket through contactless either with their physical bank card or through their cell phone the Madrid government wants to take a further step in the digitalization and modernization of public transport in the region so that it reaches all modes of transport The four municipalities chosen to debut payment by bank card on intercity buses will be followed Last September’s forecast for its implementation in the entire network is maintained so it is estimated that this system will be in operation in all interurban vehicles by June 2025 work is already underway to make it a reality in the subway turnstiles from 2026 wood-fired ovens and mountain views: eating in these restaurants in the mountains is a perfect break from the city have been gaining a foothold and expanding an increasingly higher offer (in height 📍Location:Juan de Austria street, 7 (San Lorenzo de El Escorial). At the helm of La Casa de Manolo Franco is now Manu, as he is amicably called for being the son of the founder of this restaurant in the mountains of Madrid. After traveling the world thanks to sports journalism and writing several books, Manolo Franco (son) returned home to continue his father’s legacy and give a new look to the family restaurant. Now it is a cuisine of local produce, modern, of which the Michelin Guide highlights its ambition and desire to surprise. 📍Location: Calle La Fuente, 6 (Valdemorillo). The raclette from the Swiss Alps can also be tasted in this restaurant in the mountains of Madrid. This dish has a great protagonist which is the cow’s milk cheese that is made in the canton of Valais, and in some regions of France, and as happens to the fondue, it is very strong. So it’s great to get your strength back after a long, cold walk through Navacerrada (village, not the pass). They have a fireplace if you want to add romance to the plan. 📍Location: travesía de las Huertas, 6 (Navacerrada) View this post on Instagram Yeyu is next to the central square of Cercedilla, so the plan is twofold: eat well and sightseeing in rural Madrid (without breathing the polluted air beret). In their menu they have a good offer of marinades: bonito, quail, partridge and rabbit, among others. They also have meats from the mountains of Cercedilla and a long list of spoon dishes -as is typical in the area. Sala is a large restaurant with several areas: lounge, bar, tapas area, terrace perfect for celebrations and chill out for the summer. They have specific menus for groups and the spaciousness of the space allows for meetings, but if they are known for something it is for their seafood (especially prawns). They claim to have the best in Madrid. You must also try their vermouth, even better if accompanied by the boletus and white truffle croquettes. 📍Location: carretera de los Molinos, 2 (Guadarrama). 📍Location:Carretera de las Dehesas, 33 (Cercedilla). 📍Location:Calle del Rey Juan Carlos I, 29 (Santa María de la Alameda). 📍Location:Pradillos street, 11 (Los Molinos). 📍Location: Calle de la Virgen de las Nieves, 7 (Puerto de Navacerrada). View this post on Instagram Carande is another of the restaurants in the mountains that has managed to give a twist to the traditional has worked in such renowned kitchens as DSTAgE and Zuberoa with Hilario Arbelaitz but don’t leave without ordering one of its desserts Its menu has avant-garde elaborations and presentations and the prices are adjusted to the quality offered Madrid officially became the capital of Spain during the reign of King Philip III This long history as Spain’s first city is reflected in these seven buildings though with a bias toward buildings of the 21st century Earlier versions of the descriptions of these buildings first appeared in 1001 Buildings You Must See Before You Die the Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial is an enormous complex that is part basilica with its absence of decoration and carefully proportioned geometric lines Built of granite and laid out in a rectangular shape the El Escorial complex has 180-foot-high (55 m) towers at its four corners The basilica’s two campaniles are 236 feet (72 m) high To the north is a school and to the south a monastery Straight ahead lies the flat vault of the coro which leads into the dark interior of the basilica while to its south is the Cloister of the Evangelists complete with white marble statues of the apostles and one of the world’s largest garden courts A staircase at the back of the church leads down to the Kings’ Pantheon and the final resting place of the Spanish monarchs Situated in the east of Madrid, the Plaza de Toros Monumental de Las Ventas—or, more simply, the Monumental Bullring—is one of the most important buildings of its kind in the world, built to enhance Spain’s national spectacle. One of Spain’s most famous bullfighters, José Gómez Ortega, known as Joselito Espeliús had designed various hotels and theaters But Espeliús died before he could see his project realized and it was completed in 1931 by Manuel Muñóz Monasterio who later designed the Santiago Bernabéu football stadium the outside of the circular building with its horseshoe-shaped arches is adorned with ceramic tilework decoration representing the shields of Spanish provinces In the center lies the sand bullring arena The seats around the ring are divided into 10 groups of 27 rows each The bullring seats almost 25,000 spectators The arena has eight gates that allow access for the bulls and horses A triumphant bullfighter is taken out of the bullring through the largest gate global manufacturers of street furniture—benches and the like—moved their office headquarters for southern Europe and Latin America to Spain The company had already identified a site for their new office and it held an architectural competition to find a design that would suit both the company and the location came about by “recycling” the old Martini & Rossi factory a listed building that had been identified as one of Madrid’s landmark structures The 1959 factory had been designed by Jaime de Ferrater Ramoneda Its protected building status represented a 21st-century challenge: to create a state-of-the-art office while keeping the majority of the building’s original features in place Architect Carlos Ferrater became internationally acclaimed for combining urban modernism with features of local the Martini & Rossi factory featured a large flat roof was supported by sweeping arches little was changed in the factory’s interior to turn it into the J.C other than cosmetic and technological updating; the one major change was the introduction of skylights installed above the new public areas to make maximum use of natural light The spacious open-plan working areas were remodeled to provide office space the old aluminum window frames were replaced in part because they were considered a security risk now taking full advantage of the high ceilings with an impressively spacious and welcoming lobby area suggests a building plucked from mythology: a golden tower it has the appearance of the object of a quest Its seductive power stems partly from its simple elegance and partly from the fact that it is intuitively understood as a sanctuary That an inexpensive municipal building can be one of such symbolic potential is a real testament to its architects the Madrid-based practice of Abalos & Herreros The tower—a form picked for its associations with learning—is a work of striking economy as well as deception but the way the slender windows are ranked disguises this the facade continues upward one story beyond the roof to make the building seem taller than it is The facade itself is made of prefabricated panels with a platinum-colored with the result that the color of the building is constantly changing throughout the day One of its wonderful details is the way in which certain windows have sunshades that appear to open and close like the covers of a book These fixed shutters angle views toward particular parts of the city has a basic open layout with high ceilings and an extremely spare use of materials The only decorative element is the wallpaper which has an abstract pattern derived from the text of Jorge Luis Borges’s short story “The Library of Babel.” This wallpaper together with the limited daylight coming in through the slit windows in the way that it communicates the idea of a library to the surrounding community with a language that is somehow both age-old and absolutely contemporary presents an unusual variation on the traditional arrangement of having an open communal space at the center of a building to bring in light and air instead of the horizontal ground-level courtyard cutting a hole through the middle of the block on the 13th floor The site is on the northeastern edge of Madrid and the building was commissioned by the Madrid housing association EMVS MVRDV is a Dutch architectural practice known for its innovative solutions to issues of density and the provision of public space in new urban developments that showcases surprising solutions to residential density MVRDV uses the term “superblock” to describe the Mirador: the variegated finishes of the facade—stone tiles—disguise nine smaller blocks within the whole These are all seemingly “glued” together to create the building Each block offers a different type of accommodation which therefore encourages a mixed community This spectacular whole provides an instantly identifiable reference point for the surrounding area—important in a new area of the city that has been planned and built from scratch while it undoubtedly draws attention to itself the Mirador building also acts as a giant frame drawing the gaze to views of the sky and the Sierra de Guadarrama in the distance Madrid’s Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía is Spain’s national museum of modern art. It is built on the site of the San Carlos Hospital commissioned by King Charles III in the 18th century The building has undergone several stages of conversion over the years to make it into a museum space In 1980 Antonio Fernández Alba began work to restore and convert the building and at the end of 1988 José Luis Iñíguez de Onzoño and Antonio Vázquez de Castro put the final touches to the modifications whose most striking feature is three glass and steel lift towers More recently, a 86,100-square-foot (8,000 sq m) addition to the building added exhibition spaces, an auditorium, a library, cafeteria, restaurant, and administration offices. This addition, completed in 2005, was designed by Jean Nouvel noted for his ability to create structures that are sympathetic to their surroundings and for his use of steel and glass to play with shadow Nouvel replaced three buildings that lay adjacent to the museum so opening up a view of the museum’s west facade The museum’s entrance is enclosed by a steel-and-glass tower containing lighting and projection screens The tower completes a family of towers that surround the museum The original building’s stone pedestal has been extended into the new museum structure to become the floor of the exhibition spaces Nouvel’s three buildings sit around a courtyard: the library lies to the south; the auditorium and restaurant to the west; and the exhibition spaces are to the north The library captures light and shade from above using suspended Steel louvers perforated in calligraphic patterns protect the large panels of etched glass and the erotic playgrounds of Nouvel himself imposed few creative or budget restrictions The individuals and practices selected were chosen for their expertise in various fields and they worked in total isolation from one another such as the exterior bearing no relevance to the interior the floors being internalized and unrelated and the hotel itself being divorced from a wider urban context Nouvel describes the building as a clutch of little songs rather than a symphony and the sheer scale of this unique concept can only be celebrated A monk walks in front of the Valle de los Caídos memorial in San Lorenzo de El Escorial It contains the graves of 34,000 victims of the conflict It contains the graves of 34,000 victims of the confli.. CHURCH leaders in Spain have criticised Socialist-backed legislation to secularise a Civil War memorial near Madrid, which houses a Benedictine abbey and the world’s tallest cross “We don’t know in detail what the government wants to do” “But we must remember the Church and the Benedictine community there have always stood for reconciliation and for all victims while the cross symbolises love and dedication.” The Cardinal was reacting to the approval last month of a new law by the Socialist-led government of the Prime Minister which will redesignate the Valley of the Fallen and require the removal of elements deemed to extol the dictatorship of General Francisco Franco (1892-1975) Meanwhile, government plans were also attacked by the Archbishop of Valencia, Cardinal Antonio Cañizares Llovera, a former Vatican prefect, who warned of deepening divisions in the traditionally Roman Catholic country “We face a historical memory which reopens wounds already healed,” the Cardinal wrote in a weekly letter “All this is being led by false shepherds and guides who disperse people instead of gathering them who exploit and instrumentalise rather than serve the common good.” who ruled Spain for four decades after the 1936-39 Civil War were reburied at the El Pardo cemetery in Madrid after being exhumed from a pontifical basilica at the Valley which also contains the graves of 34,000 victims from the conflict and is dominated by the 460-foot stone cross which will also offer reparation to “victims of fascism” the site is to be redesignated a civil cemetery has called on church leaders and the Vatican to oppose the changes as an assault on religious liberty said that it would require the exhumation of other right-wing figures from the Valley including the former Prime Minister Miguel Primo de Rivera (1870-1930) but suggested that the pontifical basilica could stay open if it reflected “democratic values” The prior of the Benedictine community that has run the Valley since 1958 even years” for the law to secure final enactment and royal assent “Although this draft law provides for the extinction of our foundation it says nothing about our community’s disappearance,” Fr Montenegro said in a letter to fellow-Benedictines “So we’ll continue our life tranquilly and normally knowing God and our heavenly Mother are watching over us” The RC Church makes up 62 per cent of Spain’s 47 million inhabitants, 2020 data show, and has also criticised government-backed laws allowing same-sex marriage, the secularisation of education, and the facilitation of state-funded euthanasia and abortion which will allow over-16s to re-register their gender through a court declaration without medical or legal procedures Mr Sanchez’s Socialist Party is also reviewing a series of 1979 agreements with the Vatican and plans to adopt a “Statute of Secularism” enforcing “strict separation between politics and religion A bioethics working group of Spain’s Evangelical Alliance criticised the government’s new euthanasia law in a report in mid-July warning that its vagueness risked placing the country on a “slippery slope” towards wider liberalisation told Mr Bolaños that Protestants would collaborate willingly in “advancing decidedly on a path towards full freedom and religious equality” the Catholic Bishops’ Conference warned that government attempts to “deconstruct and dismantle the Christian worldview” and “replace a political framework which has given Spain great stability” had “filled society with alarm and uncertainty” and risked a new confrontation between “the two Spains of dramatic memory” “Legislative initiatives by this coalition government reflect a global deconstruction project whose development puts freedom at risk and impedes essential unity,” the Conference continued the Church is obliged to denounce these attacks on freedom and justice and act as a channel of encounter and reconciliation Yet Spaniards are no longer living in a culture inspired by the Christian faith Christian truths have become incomprehensible.” It contains the graves of 34,000 victims of the conflict  Nicholas Reed Langen examines the Supreme Court ruling on gender We are a partnership of six diverse and welcoming congregations in the northern districts of Milton Keynes offering a rich tapestry of worshipping traditions – Anglican An opportunity in an established Benefice for both spiritual and personal fulfilment through the development of our four rural parishes St Peter and St Mary’s is a single parish benefice in the centre of Stowmarket God has a future for our churches and we are seeking an Interim Minister to join us as we discover the shape this should take We are looking for a MA Leader who can shape and strengthen a shared sense of identity and purpose whilst celebrating the history and heritage of each place run jointly by Sarum College and The Church Times tickets available This online seminar, run jointly by Modern Church and The Church Times discusses the theology underpinning the drive for growth tickets available Non-subscribers can read four articles for free each month Christmas Song Aims to Inspire Peace in the Holy Land Pope’s Message of Hope Launched into Space to Orbit Earth Here is Pope Francis’ Schedule for World Youth Day 2023 in Lisbon Marian Apparitions Must Always Point to Jesus VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The Vatican distanced itself again from any involvement in the Spanish government’s decision to exhume the remains of the country’s late dictator released by the Vatican press office July 21 was made in response to a recent interview in which Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez suggested that Pope Francis helped him resolve the divisive issue of exhumation “Relations (with the church) are peaceful; Francis is a charismatic pope I hope to meet him,” Sanchez said in the interview published July 8 in the Italian newspaper Il Corriere della Sera “Let me tell you something: He helped me with the issue of Franco’s remains There was a Benedictine community in the Valley of the Fallen who opposed the exhumation I asked the Vatican to intervene and everything was resolved,” he said the Vatican said that “on the issue of the exhumation of Francisco Franco the Holy See has on several occasions reiterated its respect for the legality and the decisions of the competent governmental and judicial authorities.” The Vatican also said that on previous occasions it “has called for dialogue between the family and the government and has never pronounced itself on the appropriateness of the exhumation or the place of burial because it does not fall within its competence.” Sanchez first announced plans to remove Franco’s remains from a state mausoleum at the Valley of the Fallen the Valley of the Fallen contains the remains of at least 34,000 people who died in the 1936-1939 civil war and includes a 500-foot-tall cross and the Basilica of Santa Cruz Franco’s family opposed the exhumation after the family exhausted all possible appeals the Spanish Supreme Court ruled in the government’s favor and the remains were exhumed in October 2019 The Vatican was forced to weigh in on the issue in July 2019 after Italian Archbishop Renzo Fratini “It would have been better to leave him in peace Most people and politicians think this way because 40 years have passed since his death,” Archbishop Fratini said June 30 in an interview with Spanish news agency Europa Press “He did what he did; God will judge.” The Vatican distanced itself from Archbishop Fratini’s statements and said that his words were “expressed in a personal capacity”; it affirmed its “respect for the sovereignty of the Spanish state and its legal system.” Follow Arocho on Twitter: @arochoju CatholicPhilly.com works to strengthen the connections between people families and communities every day by delivering the news people need to know about the Catholic Church you and hundreds of other people become part of our mission to inform form in the Catholic faith and inspire the thousands of readers who visit every month Please join in the church's vital mission of communications by offering a gift in whatever amount that you can ― a single gift of $40 Your gift will strengthen the fabric of our entire Catholic community and sustain CatholicPhilly.com as your trusted news source PREVIOUS: Not all in same boat: Some communities ‘sink more easily,’ archbishop says NEXT: ‘Sue us,’ says Philippine bishop after Duterte criticizes pastoral letter USCCB: Statement of USCCB on Vatican’s Document Addressing Pastoral Blessings Pope Francis’ May 2023 Prayer Intention | Watch Video Catholic Charities of Philadelphia Returns to Roots Dan Tarrant Brings God to the World Through Catholic Filmmaking people pay their respects at the tomb of Spain’s former dictator By Jonathan Luxmoore • Catholic News Service • Posted June 29 England (CNS) — The Archdiocese of Madrid has warned the Spanish government against plans to exhume the remains of the country’s late dictator without obtaining agreement from interested parties “We want a solution which helps build a peaceful country,” said Rodrigo Pinedo Texidor noting that the archdiocese is not for or against the removal of Franco’s remains “We are against moves which don’t have his family’s consent and don’t consider what the church has to say,” he told Catholic News Service June 29 after Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez confirmed plans to remove the remains from a state mausoleum at the Valley of the Fallen the Valley of the Fallen contains the remains of at least 34,000 people who died in the 1936-1939 civil war and includes a 500-foot-tall cross and pontifical Santa Cruz basilica Sanchez announced plans to transform the Valley of the Fallen into a national remembrance center “There’s also a Benedictine community at the Valley charged with praying for peace and brotherhood between Spaniards So although the church doesn’t have the final say its voice must be heard,” Pinedo said No one from the government had been in touch with the Madrid archdiocese shares responsibility for the Valley of the Fallen It is unlikely that “technical and canonical issues” surrounding the exhumation could be resolved within a month with legally required consent from Franco’s family “Although this is officially a national monument the Catholic Church has to be consulted on burial-related matters under our state’s agreements with the Vatican,” Pinedo said Spain’s La Razon daily newspaper said the dictator’s seven grandchildren had asked the church to block the move in a late-June letter to Father Santiago Cantera prior of the site’s Benedictine abbey bishops’ conference secretary-general told journalists that the proposed exhumation had been discussed by Sanchez and conference president Cardinal Ricardo Blazquez Perez of Valladolid in June 25 talks at Madrid’s Moncloa Palace Cardinal Blazquez had confirmed the bishops’ conference would not oppose the move which was “not up to the church to decide one way or another,” Father Tamayo said said on television that the government had held talks with Franco’s family and church leaders and would proceed with the exhumation “as soon as possible,” in line with a parliamentary mandate “to stop having a dictator in a place of honor.” PREVIOUS: Canadian bishops warn of religious discrimination after court decision for vacations: these are the best plans for an August in Madrid While many are packing their luggage to escape to coastal Spain the city is finalizing the details to welcome the month of leisure in its own right: August because the summer inactivity is just a mirage: the August plans in Madrid are a refreshing reality and for all audiences We have come here to have a (very) good time It will be held at the IFEMA Madrid Fairgrounds closing the month of August as who puts the icing on the banana split This is the first major traveling exhibition to explore the history of the wall an immersive experience that takes visitors on an immersive tour that explains this symbol of the Cold War from its construction to its demolition The real hidden Spain has little to do with Marian apparitions full of traditions and rituals (some of which are still preserved today) that this exhibition summarizes in 145 photographs by the great Cristina García Rodero An exhibition that portrays the religious and folkloric celebrations of the forgotten Spain Rodero herself said about this year of work road and blanket that resulted in  Hidden Spain: “I tried to photograph the mysterious with its truth; and the most intense and full moments in the lives of the characters in a personal challenge that gave me strength and understanding and in which I invested all my heart.” 📍 Círculo de Bellas Artes: Calle de Alcalá August gives no rest: there are many saints to honor We start celebrating San Cayetano in Lavapiés from 6 to 9, with shawls decorating the streets and activities that will invade the neighborhood being the Vara del Rey square the epicenter where concerts will be held We continue in the same neighborhood to dance for San Lorenzo (from August 10 to 13) in the squares of Nelson Mandela And the popular festivities end with the Virgen de la Paloma from August 14 to 17 in the Carrera de San Francisco and in the Plaza de los Carros (with concerts in the Vistillas 📍 Different locations in Lavapiés and La Latina you have passed through whitewashed villages with its church of visible bell tower formed in a very high tower that stands out from any point of the village as you pass through these locations you will notice that they seem to be diluted with each other as they are so similar… the so-called “colonization villages” built between 1945 and 1970 with the aim of repopulating places close to the Spanish watersheds which can be visited from Monday to Friday from 09.00 to 20.00h) is a tour of these villages through the photographic work of José Manuel Juan Soto the hunter of the rationalist style of our country Theater Auditorium of San Lorenzo de El Escorial and the Theater La Antigua Mina de Zarzalejo (San Lorenzo del Escorial) was one of the great Spanish illustrators of the second half of the 20th century an exhibition compiles the most striking of his career (the posters for films such as ¡Bienvenido Atraco a las 3 or the incredible versions of Gilda with Rita Hayworth and Glenn Ford or Mogambo) vignettes… many of them about the Madrid of his childhood You will find it in the Complejo el Águila inside the exhibition hall of the Regional Library of Madrid ‘Joaquín Leguina’ PlutonOvarian (specialized in experimental sounds) and Suso Saiz (great national exponent in ambient music) will generate an artistic space underwater Paseo de la Puerta del Ángel (Casa de Campo) This free exhibition is a photographic portrait of Madrid in the 1960s A city captured with the camera of the visual chronicler Antonio Alcoba who captures moments of streets full of life and in full transformation characteristic of the times in which we live This is a major issue that affects the household but also the city and This is what popularizers such as Carolyn Steel study who in her books Hungry Cities y Sitopia asks how the food industry has changed our cities or whether we take food for granted in industrialized countries This is also what we will see in this exhibition at the Queen Sofia of the artist Martha Rosler (which we can enjoy until September 20) This exhibition reflects on a “productive scheme that prioritizes the exploitation of the land and living beings subordinating technological development to the capitalist system without considering the equitable distribution of what is produced or its environmental impact” Felipe II Park (San Lorenzo de El Escorial) fan in the living room and the calm… It’s the perfect time to do all that which normally requires a lot of forethought or patience waiting in a long line The Liria Palace opens during the summer its doors to the gardens with visits lasting about 90 minutes from  Tuesday to Sunday the month of August (in selected shifts throughout the day) But inside the city’s large cultural containers Take refuge in culture is an initiative of the Community of Madrid for this summer 2024 with a series of interventions in museums in addition to its usual exhibitions on the urban life of the city (from the sixteenth century to the early twentieth century) will host on August 8 and 27 and in the warmer hours (from 16.00 to 17.0h) a live humor show (a monologue by actor and comedian Sergio Pazos) The Program is intense and does not stop in August we are left with the live musical performances held at the Centro Cultural Conde Duque or the Cine Caliente del Parque de la Bombilla What automatisms are installed in our brains so that we don’t think about what we do The artist Filip Custic intervenes on the walls of the Cerralbo Museum He does it with his “neo-baroque compositions detailed and full of data that intoxicate the rooms while respectfully camouflaged among the story of the space” The custic works will intermingle with the baroque mansion taking it into the future from an architecture of the past More than 200 structures (made of metal and paper with a millenary technique) show splendorous bright colors in peacocks flamingos… that flood the park turning it into a magical environment the sound environment will lead us to discover the secrets of the nights among howls It will also open its terrace at night to rest and have a drink between strolls through its more than 16 hectares Among all the photography exhibitions that flood the city on the occasion of PHotoESPAÑA we highlight the last days of Consuelo Kanaga’s retrospective exhibition which will close its doors at the end of August Kanaga’s photographs challenge us and propose the harshness of racial harassment and inequality of the African-American population in the United States the Community of Madrid launched another free summer cultural initiative: Veranos en el parque And with the success of the new initiative in August the Santander park will continue to program film screenings in its open-air cinema as well as theatrical performances Santander Park (Paseo de San Francisco de Sales the best thing to do is to take a good nap during the hottest hours of the day and then wake up and wake up with the help of culture That is why the Summer Scenes Festival comes to occupy the squares of the region with dance The Veranos de la Villa are the unmissable event of the summer in the capital celebrating cultural diversity with several exhibitions such as Kimono: Changing identity power and imagination in Japanese art  at Espacio Cultural Serrería Belga The Riosequillo pool is located in Buitrago de Lozoya (just 70 kilometers from the center of Madrid) and is one of the largest pools in the country It can hold up to 2000 people and will be open all month long from Tuesday to Sunday with a price of 9€ for adults and 6€ for children On weekends it costs 13€ for adults and 9€ for children The tears of San Lorenzo are one of the astronomical milestones of the year This is the most important meteor shower of the year since under excellent visibility conditions and without light pollution between 50 and 100 meteors can be observed per hour the peak (according to calculations by the National Astronomical Observatory) will be on August 12 between 15:00 and 18:00 hours From the Chorrera de los Litueros in Somosierra (which tops the list of the coolest villages in Madrid) to the Purgatorio waterfall in Rascafría or the beautiful Pradillo reservoir August looks like the perfect month to escape to nature and look for those places that make us happy after a short walk or trek From Egypt to Romania, the monastic tradition is responsible for several of the world’s most extraordinary feats of architecture.The monastic impulse usually begins in simplicity, but it has given rise to buildings that are works of sacred art. 2. Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, Spain The Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, considered the eighth wonder of the world since the 16th century, was built in 1563 by Philip II, son of Emperor Charles V. It served as both a royal palace and a monastery of the Hieronymite monks at the same time, consolidating the power of the monarchy and the Church in Spain. Today the monastery is home to Augustinian Friars. The Barsana Monastery is one of the most beautiful monasteries — not only in Romania but in the world. It is a sign of the union of Western and Oriental architectural models. Built of wood according to local tradition, no nails or power tools were used during construction. The church of Barsana Monastery is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Founded in the 10th century by St. John of Rila (also known as Ivan Rilski), the monastery is situated in the Rila Mountains in the western part of Bulgaria, about 120 kilometers from Sofia. Among other things, the monument is symbolic of the Bulgarian cultural resistance to the Ottoman Empire, and an image of the feeling of Bulgarian identity after centuries of occupation. The monastery was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1983. The Meteora Monasteries are located in central Greece, on the Thessaly Plain, near Kalambaka, in the Pinios River valley. The area features breathtaking natural spires of stone (Meteora, from the same root as meteor, means lofty) and caves that sheltered solitary monks from the 11th century. By the 14th century, communities began to build atip the pinnacles. Six monasteries remain of the many that once stood here; they have been classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO since 1988. Get Aleteia delivered to your inbox. It’s free! Articles like these are sponsored free for every Catholic through the support of generous readers just like you. Please make a tax-deductible donation today! Help us continue to bring the Gospel to people everywhere through uplifting Catholic news, stories, spirituality, and more. Fast-forward a decade, and the two met again at Andres’s aunt’s birthday dinner in Madrid. It was far from a chance encounter. “Unknown to us, his aunt had conspired for me to meet her nephew, Andres,” says Corina. “Once we arrived at the dinner, she specifically sat me down next to Andres, even though everyone else was allowed to sit wherever they wanted, which was quite embarrassing.” Fate did intervene, however, when Andres decided to visit Corina in Miami in March of 2020. The day he arrived, Europe closed its borders due to COVID-19 and he was unable to return home to Madrid. “He ended up staying in my apartment in Miami for three months, and we have lived together ever since,” says Corina. In April 2022, Andres proposed in Benidorm, a small town on the east coast of Spain. After dinner at a cliffside restaurant overlooking the ocean, they wandered down to a deserted beach. Andres asked Corina what her favorite memory was of the past two years. When she couldn’t name just one, she asked Andres the same question. After reciting some memories, he got down on one knee. “This is the most special moment,” he said. “Will you marry me?” The two married in Madrid on May 13, 2023. The Friday night before, they held a rehearsal dinner at Bibo by Dani García. A traditional Spanish dinner of croquetas and rabo de toro turned into a late-night dance party until the restaurant closed. Corina wore a backless halter dress by Elie Saab for the occasion, paired with gold earrings from her mother. On Saturday, they held their ceremony at the Basílica de San Lorenzo de El Escorial, a 16th-century UNESCO World Heritage Site that is the largest Renaissance building in the world. The bride met the groom at the altar wearing a Monique Lhuillier dress and bolero. “It was all I wanted: feminine, romantic, elegant, and, most importantly, comfortable,” she says of her dress. Corina and Andres admit they have a hard time describing exactly how they felt when they locked eyes in the church. “What we felt at that moment was something we can’t explain. I couldn’t stop smiling; I think I’ve never smiled so hard in my life before,” she says. Meanwhile, Andres—who teared up at the sight of Corina—says he had “a sort of tunnel vision.” For the couple, the ceremony hit an emotional pinnacle during the priest’s sermon. He compared marriage to building a house—an apt metaphor, as Andres is a civil engineer and Corina is an interior designer. “It was the perfect way to start our lives as a married couple,” the bride says. As the couple walked back down the aisle out of the church—while guests showered them in bubbles—a vintage Morgan car awaited. Corina and Andres hopped in to drive to their reception site of Finca El Campillo, eager for a moment of newlywed bliss alone. “We are unbelievably happy,” Carina says when asked to reflect on her Spanish nuptials. “We had our doubts about whether we should just elope—In the end, we both agreed; we would do it again if given the choice. It was the most amazing day of our lives." Emotion & Motion1/56Andres and I taking everything in before all the guests arrive at the rehearsal dinner Emotion & Motion2/56The bar was the focal point at the restaurant, with a hot-air balloon as the main element. the monarch still has the right to use the properties country residences and monasteries founded by the crown plus 51,000 acres of forest and 1,455 acres of historical gardens here are 18 properties owned by the Spanish royal family (at least from the imposing royal palace in Madrid to an island getaway on Majorca 25 Properties Owned by the Royal Family The Royal Palace of Madrid is the king’s official residence and Western Europe’s largest palace with over 3,400 rooms The palace itself dates to the 18th century though it occupies the land of the old Alcázar of Madrid a medieval fortress that succumbed to fire in 1734 King Philip V’s court members set the fortress ablaze in order to construct something à la Versailles (Philip was a grandson of Louis XIV and first Bourbon to take the Spanish throne) Located at the base of Mount Abantos just outside Madrid in the Guadarrama mountain range the monastery was originally constructed for the Order of St whose job was to pray for the royal family’s salvation A symbol of the Spanish Golden Age with incredible scenery the spot earned its place on the World Heritage list in 1984 consists of a palace and woodlands and serves as the official residence for foreign heads of state the site was a royal hunting lodge built by Emperor Charles V in the 16th century the area is the largest Mediterranean forest in the Madrid area the Royal site of Aranjuez is located at the intersection of the Tajo and Jarama rivers south of Madrid It features 275 acres of gardens and a royal palace It was previously the property of the Masters of Santiago a 12th-century military and religious order the Royal Convent of San Pascual is a royal patronage created by Charles III It remains a working convent inhabited by Franciscan Conceptionist sisters the church takes the shape of a Latin cross This is considered the magnum opus of Philip V who constructed the palace and gardens to invoke that of Versailles The area had long been a favorite hunting ground for Castilian kings Known for its classical Romanesque architecture the design of Riofrío Royal Palace was heavily influenced by Philip V’s Italian wife who had architect Virgilio Ravaglio draw up the plans Only two kings have ever lived here: King Consort Francisco de Asis and King Alfonso XII The Royal Palace of la Almudaina is the monarch’s official residence when in Majorca an island on the east coast in the Balearic Sea near Valencia The ruins of 12th and 13th century Arab citadels still remain on the premises The product of the design influence of five monarchs including King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella Reales Alcázares is the monarch’s official residence in Seville Meaning “fortress,” the property consists of Mudejar Palace King Alfonso X’s gothic halls and Charles V’s renaissance decorations founded this monastery in Madrid by transforming a palace into a convent for Poor Clare nuns “Descalzas Reales” translates to the “Royal Barefoot Sisters.” It is considered a Castilian plateresque palace with Genoese marble and Moorish tiles and plasterwork the Royal Monastery of the Incarnation is “considered one of the most beautiful in Spain’s capital city,” per the king’s website It features 17th- and 18th-century artworks by Lucas Jordan The reliquary is inlaid with 700 pieces of bronze built on the site of the Mudejar Palace in Valladolid including the façade and high chapel with its octagonal ceiling considered the pièce de resistance of Toledo and Andalusia artisans This Romanesque monastery in Valladolid is the site where Spanish kings were crowned Created by Alfonso VIII and Queen Leonor in 1187 it is now home to the Museum of Medieval Fabrics the Monastery of Yuste is the resting place of Charles V and hosts the Charles V European Award Charles V was known to stroll the gardens and practice his fishing in the pond holds the mausoleums of generals and politicians It is located in the Basilica of Our Lady of Atocha in Madrid the basilica is named after the Virgin of Atocha considered the patron saint of Spanish royalty Baptisms and royal marriages have taken place here and the church also served as military barracks under the French invasion Charles I made it a working convent in 1523 Philip II called the Virgin of Atocha the patron saint of Madrid and would visit the chapel before and after every battle It was set ablaze after the Civil war and rebuilt in 1951 “The Spinners,” this monastery was founded by Philip II as a convent for Augustinian nuns which also served as a school for daughters of royal household employees Considered one of royal architect Juan Gómez de Mora’s best works it was pillaged by the French and sustained heavy damage after the Civil War Established in 1551 by Cardinal Juan Martínez Siliceo it remains under the king and archbishop’s patronage The Baroque church and tower feature a 16th-century bas-relief by Vázquez the Elder on the façade Everything We Know About the Spanish Royal Family an inspiring chess player endures the challenges of life and still competes on the chessboard—and wins No one has achieved this stature better than Manuel Alvarez Escudero who celebrates his 100th birthday on October 12 Several weeks ago Alvarez participated in the XXXVIII San Lorenzo de El Escorial Tournament (incidentally the site of the final of the 1991-93 Candidates Tournament in January 1993) in the Community of Madrid and he won the veterans category and finished 16th out of 64 players Alvarez responded: “The main objective always has been to have fun and make friends.” The main objective always has been to have fun and make friends.—Manuel Alvarez Escudero Born in 1921, Alvarez serves as an inspiration to all of us—old and young. See his FIDE profile here Consider one of his impressive wins several years ago against a highly-rated player Alvarez was taught how to play chess by an older brother She said: “His brother told him how to move the chess pieces my grandpa was already beating his brother It was at that moment when he decided to join the Alfil club he realized he only knew how to move the pieces but nothing else.” Alvarez learned more about chess and improved his play he has also been active in the La Didactica chess club and still attends activities of the Moratalaz club in a district of Madrid Over Alvarez's long and distinguished playing career, he has had several favorite reminiscences. About tournaments, he said, “The best tournament was the one organized by the University of Oviedo [in 1992] in which many great players participated such as GM Boris Spassky." Martin added: “One of his favorite moments was when being in Guadalajara he attended a tournament in which five Olympic Cuban players were going to participate. He finished in sixth place.” One player Alvarez beat was GM Jesus Nogueiras Santiago (FM Eduardo Serrano adds that the victory occurred in 1994 before the Moscow Olympiad and a record of the moves in that game is not available.) For tournament play does Alvarez have any special preparation he has given as a present straight away.” Although Alvarez’s successes have been celebrated online by the chess community His granddaughter said that he will be playing in his next rated tournament in a few weeks in Altea he has been playing in tournaments since he was 22 Is Alvarez the oldest winning chess player who is still active What legacy players in other countries are similarly inspiring At Chess.com, he has been an editor (part-time) since 2019 and has edited news articles and tournament reports—including those of the Candidates and World Championship Tournaments and other major events—by titled players and noted chess writers as well as Game of the Day annotations by leading grandmasters He has also been a contributing writer of chess terms and general interest articles for ChessKid.com He enjoys “top blogger” status at Chess.com His blog has won the award for Best Chess Blog from the Chess Journalists of America for several years he has also been the recipient of first-place CJA awards for feature article and educational lesson as well as honorable mention in the categories of personal narrative and historical article SUPPORT OUR JOURNALISM: Please consider donating to keep our website running and free for all - thank you Infanta Cristina has joined her parents and siblings at mass for her late paternal grandfather Count of Barcelona at the Basilica of the Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial Also in attendance was Their Majesties King Felipe King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofía and Her Royal Highness Infanta Elena The mass commemorated the 25th anniversary of the death of King Juan Carlos’s father who died on 1 April 1993 at the Navarra University Clinic in Pamplona, Spain He was buried in the Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial His remains will soon be moved to its Pantheon of Kings as remains are initially taken to a pudridero or decaying chamber in the monastery and later moved to its final location King Felipe and Queen Letizia arrive at the mass In total 250 people were in attendance alongside the royals including members of the Royal Family of Bulgaria and other family members of King Juan Carlos along with representatives of the Spanish government It was officiated by Monsignor Juan del Río and the National Anthem was played at the beginning of the service King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofía greeted the attendees in the Chapter Rooms King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofía in their seats just before mass began This is the first time Cristina has joined the family since 11 May 2017 when she attended the funeral of Infanta Alicia She has largely remained out of the public eye after the Nóos Case was convicted and sentenced to several years in prison blamed for the abdication of King Juan Carlos and the low approval rating of the Spanish Royal Family upon Juan Carlos’s renouncing of the throne Casa Real did not post any images of Infanta Cristina at mass on their website in their informational article about the service This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page.