Escorial
Escorial, a monastery and historic royal palace in Madrid province, Spain. It is 26 miles (42 km) northwest of Madrid on the eastern slopes of the Sierra de Guadarrama. The town of San Lorenzo del Escorial adjoins it. The Escorial was built (1563–84) by King Philip II to commemorate a victory over the French at Saint-Quentin in 1557. The main buildings are the monastery, inhabited by Augustinian monks since 1885, and a large church. Also here are a royal mausoleum, a library, a college, and the former summer residence of the kings of Spain. The church contains many art treasures, including a crucifix by Benvenuto Cellini.