El Escorial is a magnificent building complex located in the town of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, in an exceptionally beautiful site, not far from Madrid. The building is the most important architectural monument of the Spanish Renaissance. The site for this complex was chosen by King Philip II.
El Escorial includes the church, the monastery, the royal palace, the seminary, the school and the library. El Escorial is considered to be one of the greatest paradigms of the arts and is called the eighth wonder of the world. It is one of the most visited landmarks in Spain.