Tourism Web Page of San Lorenzo de El Escorial

Natural Area

Flora

Virtual Walks through the Natural Surroundings

Symbolic Map of the Natural Surroundings

San Lorenzo de El Escorial is located in the northwest regions of the Madrid Autonomus Community, on the south-eastern slope of the Sierra of Guadarrama.

These surroundings of outstanding beauty were chosen by Felipe II to construct the Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, fulfilling his father Carlos V’s dream of constructing a Royal Mausoleum that, in time, would represent the spirit of his empire and the grandeur of the Austrian dynasty.

The existence of water, good granite rock and pine forests in the surrounding areas provided the basic elements for the construction of such a splendid monument, so the monarch began the process of acquiring the lands that were used both for the site and for the upkeep of the Monastery and the Hieronymite community that managed it at that time.

Those lands, including areas like La Herrería, La Fresneda, Campillo and Monastery (the current Valle de los Caidos and the lands towards Collado-Villaba) and the Dehesa Boyal (from Monte de la Jurisdicción to Abantos) of the original district of El Escorial shaped the privileged surroundings that combine traditional agricultural/sylvan/pastoral activities with other leisure and recreational activities (walks, hunting, horse riding, etc.) enjoyed by the successive monarchs that lived there.

All these elements shaped an entire area which, although it has evolved with time, has been able to maintain the unique idiosyncrasy of its natural characteristics.

A visit to San Lorenzo de El Escorial would not be complete without having enjoyed the marvels of nature hidden in places as special as La Herrería (The Forge Woods) and the Abantos Pine Forest. Their natural worth and exceptional character caused the Abantos Pine Forest to be declared a site of great beauty (Paisaje Pintoresco) in 1961 and La Herrería to be declared a Forest of Special Ecological Interest in 1995, classifications which guarantee they will be protected and preserved for future generations.

Likewise, don’t hesitate to contemplate and relax in the shadows cast by the magnificent specimens of tree and plant life that can be found in the plazas and gardens of San Lorenzo de El Escorial.

These areas are accessible to all our visitors, and will surely leave you with unforgettable memories of discovering nature in San Lorenzo de El Escorial.