Royal Site of San Lorenzo de El Escorial

The monastery

The Royal Site of San Lorenzo de El Escorial (Monasterio y Sitio de El Escorial en Madrid), or more colloquially known as simply, "El Escorial", is a historical residence of the King of Spin located in the town of San Lorenzo de El Escorial about 45 kilometres (28 mi) northwest of the Spanish capital Madrid. It was constructed between 1563 and 1584 by order of King Philip II and is the largest Renaissance building in the world. As it's a gigantic building no longer exclusively used for the royals, it now functions as a monastery, basilica, royal palace, pantheon, library, museum, university, school, and hospital. You might think that sounds like a lot but it's truly an impressive and massive building. 

I did not actually go inside for the formal tour but I highly recommend checking out the rear of the building from the outside. You enter into an unassuming doorway into a small open air room but there is a path that leads to the backgardens. There is a stunning rose wall and views over the pool and gardens. The building itself is not my architectural cup of tea but the sheer size of it is a little breathtaking and imposing, something which I did not initially expect.

Rear vista

Impressive rose wall

Intricate gardens with mountains in the back