San Lorenzo de El Escorial is a town enclosed by the Community of Madrid located in the heart of Spain at the base of Mount Abantos. The town is a religious and historic hub containing multiple World Heritage Sites and a blossoming tourism community. Its ideal location 50 kilometres outside of Madrid in the heart of the Guadarrama mountain range makes for a desirable vacation destination.
The town is centred around the prominent Monastery of El Escorial, a landmark from the Spanish Renaissance that houses the important Royal Library. Other points of interest include the Bombonera theatre and naturally landscaped attractions such as the Herrería and the Park of the Casita. The city is also remarked for its decadent mountain cuisine and surrounding outdoor vistas boasting lush vegetation.
The train routes from various points in Madrid to the primary San Lorenzo de El Escorial station situated on the outskirts of town. From the train station, the public bus is the primary form of transit into and around the town. There are also well-connected highways from Madrid that run throughout the area. Walking is a popular way of getting around.
The history of the town is rooted in the construction of the monastery dating back to the 1560s. More than twenty years of labour went into the finished design. The town first became an independent municipality in 1836.