Escorial Private Tour

Escorial Private Tour. If walls could talk, those of the palace-monastery of El Escorial would tell the tales of love and political intrigues of the monarchs who have ruled Spain. Madrid Experience offers you the chance to take a VIP Tour of the Monastery of El Escorial which centres around King Phillip II – son of Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor and King of Spain – and a great collector of imposing works of art, priceless books as well as religious relics. Phillip II was a devout Catholic who also believed Astrology and Art could be used as State tools and the Royal Palace of El Escorial represents the monarch’s mystical and political views.

This imposing palace-monastery was built by Phillip II in the sixteenth century, and it houses the Royal Mausoleum, where the tombs of all of Spain’s monarchs, but two, are to be found. Our Escorial Private Tour will reveal who is missing, and why, as well as showing you some of El Escorial’s architectural jewels not normally accessed by regular visitors.

Several historians have said that had El Escorial not existed, Versailles would never have been built, making the former Royal residence a must-see for any visitor to Madrid, and one which Madrid Experience will be happy to organize for you.

Must-see sights on a VIP Tour of El Escorial:

1. The Royal Palace of El Escorial. Inside the palatial complex we will visit the monastery, the church, the palace, the Royal Mausoleum, the Royal Library (one of the largest in the world with over 45,000 documents), as well as a museum.
2. We will also take a walk in the monastery’s park and gardens, which were designed by Juan de Herrera in 1567 and have retained the monastic feel of the era.

Gastronomic delicacies: A wide selection of beef stews

A VIP Tour of El Escorial can be combined with:

• An excursion to the Valley of the Fallen (Valle de los Caídos), a monument commissioned by dictator Francisco Franco to honour the fallen on both sides that fought during the Spanish Civil War, and as his own tomb.
• A visit to “the Casita del Infante”, a small palace designed by Juan de Villanueva, the Prado Museum’s architect, to hold chamber music concerts, one of Prince Gabriel de Bourbon’s greatest interests, who had it built. It is worth noting its Neoclassical decoration and the ceilings painted by Vicente Gómez, Mariano Salvador Maella and Francisco Bayeu.
• VIP Tour of Segovia, one of the favourite residences of the Monarchs of Castile.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Duration of the VIP Tour of El Escorial Monastery: 5 hours

Clothing recommendations: Comfortable shoes, sunscreen