Saturday, February 19, 2011

El Escorial trip

Yesterday, I went on an excursion with my study abroad program to El Escorial. It is a large monastery north of Madrid that was built in the 1500s, and it was the largest building in the world at the time. Inside, there is a palace, museum, basilica, library, and pantheon where all of the Royalty of Spain have been buried. We were not supposed to take pictures at all, but we were able to sneak a few.
On the same trip, we visited the Valle de los Caidos. This is a large Catholic basilica where the tallest memorial cross in the world is held. It was situated in the mountains so we were surrounded by snow. Almost felt like home!
The center courtyard of El Escorial
Walking into the beautiful basilica
One of the most important historic libraries in the world
The entrance into the Pantheon where the Kings and Queens of Spain are buried
Valle de los Caidos (Valley of the Fallen)
Surrounded by snowy mountains