The historic royal monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, near Madrid, will undergo a transformation set to cost an estimated 6.5 million euros (£5.4 million).
Almost 40 years after it was first included in the UNESCO World Heritage list, visitors to El Escorial will soon be able to discover parts of the monument that have previously been hidden from the public eye.
The two-year project – with EU funding – aims to reintroduce visitors to the proof of Spain’s golden age, measuring well over 33,000 square metres.
Some 35 miles from Madrid, the religious complex fulfilled Philip II of Spain’s (1527-1598) – who was once married to Mary I of England – dream of building a monastery in a “desert”.
Though not truly in a desert, his vision took a staggering 21 years to complete using the knowledge of two master architects: Juan Bautista de Toledo, who had worked alongside Michelangelo in Rome and Juan de Herrera, who fought alongside Philip’s father, Charles V.
Currently, over 450,000 visitors flock to the site each year, but according to Spain’s national heritage institution, Patrimonio Nacional, it could be better respected and enjoyed.
Soon, therefore, a monastic patio will open to the public as well as several paintings once reserved for royals.
According to the head of buildings and environment, Luis Perez de Prada, who spoke to The Olive Press: “[El Escorial] was an incredible feat of work and it shows humanity’s ability to create something in the middle of nowhere.”
“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.”
Visitors will soon be able to enter through the imposing “Patio of Kings” to get a “much greater understanding of the monastery’s architecture,” explained 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,” said Prada.
They will also be able to explore the Patio of the Evangelists, a stunning garden that boasts fountains and statues. Previously dormant painting and architecture galleries are set to be reopened at a cost of over £1.9 million.
The painting gallery will span nine rooms and show the tastes of four monarchs over 99 works including El Greco, Velazquez and Titian.
Almost a third of the money will go to making the building more sustainable ready for the grand reveal in 18 months time.
El Escorial can be visited by train, bus or by car, as well as via several organised excursions from Madrid that include entrance fees and visits to other nearby sites. Take the C3 line from Atocha, Chamartín, or Puerta del Sol stations in Madrid. The train station is just over half a mile from the town, so you can walk uphill or take the local bus.
By car, leave Madrid on the A6 and turn off at exit 47 onto the M-600.
The public gardens are open daily from 10 am to 6 pm, while the palace is free to enter all day on Wednesdays during opening hours and on Sundays after 3 pm.
