When looking over my days in Madrid, I realized that I probably had 1 too many and decided to sign up for a day trip to El Escorial, Valley of the Fallen and Toledo. Cosmos had a Toledo optional, but I was lucky that I took this one, because I had great weather and the next day (during the optional) was the day that the sucky weather in Madrid began.
El Escorial Monastery is a historical residence of the Kings of Spain. It is one of the Spanish royal sites and functions as a monastery, royal palace, museum and school. The main patron saint featured on the building is St Lawrence who was known for being grilled alive. With the exception of a few, the Spanish royal family is buried here including the current king's parents.
The Valley of the Fallen is a monumental memorial errected at Cuelgamuros Valley in the Sierra de Guadarrama near Madrid. It was conceived by the Spanish dictator Francisco Franco to honor those who fell during the Spanish Civil war. The is a basilicaa built into the granite mountain which you can't see from afar and only notice it when you reach the valley.
Afternoon excursion to Toledo. Toledo is a municipality located in central Spain, 70km south of Madrid. It was declared a world heritage site by UNESCO in 1986 for its cultural heritage as one of the former capitals of the Spanish Empire and place of coexistence of Christian, Jewish and moorish cultures. Many famous artists were born or lived in Toledo, such as El Greco whose famous painting the Burial of the Count of Orgaz (below) can be found in Toledo.
View of Toledo and city walls from the outside.
Cathedral of Toledo, built in the 13th C
Walking through the streets of Toledo...good walking shoes advised!
View of the river and the new city of Toledo
Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes, cloister.
The Chains on the walls were hung by Christians after they had been released from the Morrish prisons. They made their way back to Toledo and hung their chains as a prayer of thanks that they were freed.
El Escorial Monastery is a historical residence of the Kings of Spain. It is one of the Spanish royal sites and functions as a monastery, royal palace, museum and school. The main patron saint featured on the building is St Lawrence who was known for being grilled alive. With the exception of a few, the Spanish royal family is buried here including the current king's parents.
The Valley of the Fallen is a monumental memorial errected at Cuelgamuros Valley in the Sierra de Guadarrama near Madrid. It was conceived by the Spanish dictator Francisco Franco to honor those who fell during the Spanish Civil war. The is a basilicaa built into the granite mountain which you can't see from afar and only notice it when you reach the valley.
Afternoon excursion to Toledo. Toledo is a municipality located in central Spain, 70km south of Madrid. It was declared a world heritage site by UNESCO in 1986 for its cultural heritage as one of the former capitals of the Spanish Empire and place of coexistence of Christian, Jewish and moorish cultures. Many famous artists were born or lived in Toledo, such as El Greco whose famous painting the Burial of the Count of Orgaz (below) can be found in Toledo.
View of Toledo and city walls from the outside.
Cathedral of Toledo, built in the 13th C
Walking through the streets of Toledo...good walking shoes advised!
View of the river and the new city of Toledo
Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes, cloister.
The Chains on the walls were hung by Christians after they had been released from the Morrish prisons. They made their way back to Toledo and hung their chains as a prayer of thanks that they were freed.
