On Saturday, May 23, we took a day trip. First, we visited the Escorial, a palace/monastery built by Felipe II. It is a very interesting place that offers the visitor a look into the royal lifestyle in 16th-century Spain. The architectural style is "Herreriano" (named for Juan de Herrera), though the initial design was proposed by Juan Bautista de Toledo. The construction began in 1563.
The centerpiece of the complex is the basilica.
Unfortunately we were not allowed to take pictures of the interior (they used to!).
Our next stop was the Valle de los Caídos ("The Valley of the Fallen"). The basilica was carved out of a granite mountain about 50 miles outside of Madrid. Francisco Franco ordered it constructed and was completed on the twentieth anniversary of the conclusion of the Spanish Civil War in 1959.
The labor force was made up of war prisoners who lived in an encampment in the nearby valley. Inside the Basilica the visitor will find the final resting place of José Antonio Primo de Rivera, the founder of the Falangist party and "martyr" for the cause of the Nationalist movement. Also entombed in the Basilica is Francisco Franco. Both rest on opposite sides of the main altar that is located immediately under the central dome.
On the exterior you will notice a looming cross. This cross sits directly above the Basilica's central dome.
Despite its history, we still managed to enjoy the surrounding area, catching two of my children and Jake Simkins climbing rocks and running around through the forest.
Our final stop was at the castle at Manzanares el Real. The castle was the residence of the Marquis of Santillana, the most famous of these nobles being Iñigo López de Santillana (1st Marquis of Santillana, 1398-1458), a significant poet who introduced the italianate sonnet to Spain.
Of course I caught Jake P. opening windows (not done!) and exploring every nook and cranny of the castle. Just so you know, he was the only one that I caught. Megan and Kate are also somewhere out there checking the place out.
And I caught Chris encouraging my son, Ethan, to try and scale the side of a tower!!! Look at that smile!
I include this photo because it is significant. In 2000 we had a picture taken in this castle. The family has changed a lot. The two oldest are not here (Jeremy is in Provo; Nathan in the mission field), Ethan was only three-years old and Lizzy was one and half years old. Caleb and Seth were nothing more than glimmers in their mother's eyes. Here we are again, a little older but still loving this wonderful place.
Glad Jake wasn't sent home for opening windows!
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