The 40th anniversary of El Escorial’s declaration as World Heritage

The Monastery of El Escorial invites everyone to take a journey to the era of Felipe II and experience the monarch’s Renaissance spirit. Exactly 40 years ago, on 2 November 1984, the Monastery was included on the World Heritage List. To celebrate this anniversary, the monastery has organised an extensive programme of events that includes dramatised night visits, dance performances and themed tours.

In the 16th century, the complex was nicknamed the “eighth wonder of the world”. As part of the programme, everyone will be able to visit the beautiful gardens, the monastery’s Pantheon of Kings (where the remains of Carlos I rest), the Basilica, the Sacristy and the Real Biblioteca, the result of the ruler’s love of knowledge. Guided visits and talks will be organised to analyse and explain some of the most famous paintings in the room.

During the dramatised night visits, visitors will tour the Hospedería del Monasterio, the Library, the Court of the Kings, the Basilica, the Pantheon of Kings, Felipe II’s room, the mezzanine of the Palace of the Habsburgs, the Escalera Real, the Patio de Mascarones and the Garden of the Monks, and the complex staff will explain the secret of the hydraulic system designed by Felipe II himself.