Avila - El Escorial - Valley of the Fallen from Madrid

We begin by visiting the fortified Basilica of San Vicente of the 12th century, one of the most impressive works of Romanesque architecture.

In Avila, St. Teresa of Jesus was born, one of the greatest mysteries of the Catholic Church. It is mandatory to make the Teresian route that begins with the Church of San Juan Bautista, Plaza de San Juan de la Cruz and the Convent House of Santa Teresa

This opened in 1636 you can admire the baroque facade and the plan of the Latin Cross. Then we will continue to the Cerro de los Cuatro Postes to observe one of the best views of the city. Finally, in Ávila we will take a tour of the exterior of the Cathedral, the walls and the Plaza Mayor. There will be a small break for lunch in Avila and follow the route

The Royal Monastery of the Escorial, a majestic building of the 16th century, owes much of its design to its main architect, Juan de Herrera. The best artisans of the time helped the construction of this building. The monastery has also been mausoleum of the Spanish kings. The Monastery was built in the reign of King Philip II. It was the residence of kings, as a monastery and as a pantheon of the royal family, and was a symbol of power of the Spanish Empire of the time.

In this tour we will see in the Monastery, the Museum of Architecture, the Battle Room, the Cloister of the Four Evangelists, the Palace of Philip II, the Pantheon of the Kings and the basilica.

Very close to this monastery, we find the Valley of the Fallen is a monument built in tribute to all who died during the Spanish Civil War of 1936. It is located in the wonderful valley of the Sierra de Guadarrama, and highlights the great cross that measures 150 m high, the crypt, carved into the rock of the mountain itself and the Basilica. I return to Madrid