2Royal Monastery of El Escorial, Madrid Region

A monumental symbol of Spain’s Golden Age, El Escorial served as a royal palace, monastery, library, and burial site for Spanish kings.

Built under King Philip II in the 16th century, its severe Renaissance design contrasts with the ornate Gothic and Baroque structures found elsewhere in Spain. Its scale is astonishing: vast courtyards, endless corridors, and a basilica crowned by a massive dome. The monastery reflects both power and piety, embodying Spain’s imperial legacy.

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