Construction of El Escorial begins

Name: Construction of El Escorial begins
Start: 1563
End: 1584

Type Event Region Europe Time 1563–1584

In 1563, King Philip II of Spain launched construction of the monastery-palace complex of El Escorial at San Lorenzo de El Escorial, northwest of Mad…

Timeline

1563San Lorenzo de El Escorial · Community of MadridPhilip II chose the southern slopes of the Sierra de Guadarama for the new monastery and palace, to honor the martyrdom of Saint Lawrence and inter his father Charles V there. Groundbreaking took place on 23 April 1563, with architect Juan Bautista de Toledo overseeing the design.
1567–1584El Escorial monastery · Community of MadridAfter Toledo's death, Juan de Herrera simplified and advanced the project, adopting a rigorous geometric layout and grey granite facades. The complex comprised church, monastery, palace, college, library, and the Habsburg mausoleum, embodying Philip II's ideal of uniting prayer with governance.

Sources

The Escorial: Art and Power in the Renaissance — Henry Kamen (2010)