Today started off with a breakfast at the Air BnB then a trip by bus to the Real Monastario de San Lorenzo de el Escorial, which was the fall home of the royal family, and also where they would live in the fall. This is a beautiful palace just outside of Madrid with art covering the ceilings and paintings everywhere. Our guide knew all about the history and was able to tell us about the family and how they lived when the were in the monastery. Underneath the monastery there was a room full of gold decorations and the tombs of many generations of the royal family. It was set up in a way so you could tell who had been married and who their children were. In this rooms there were many generations of the family and their descendants and cousins. After we finished this in depth tour of the monastery and had learned about the history of many of the paintings, we took a lunch break before going to look at the royal library.
Inside the library there are books with all of their signs facing inward because the pages are made of leather and need to breath. All over the ceilings there are paintings of philosophers that look like they are jumping out of the walls. There are more paintings in the library that show the royal family. There are also tools used in the library that have incredible details and fancy fonts.
Once we finished with the library we decided to check out the royal garden where there were beautifully trimmed hedges with an incredible view of the countryside. There were cows in the distance and a great view of the monastery from where we were.
We were not able to spend too much time at this garden, but afterwards we took at quick stop for chocolate, churros, and smoothies. After a nice snack and break from the cold we took the bus back to Madrid where we had dinner at a local tapas restaurant. After enjoying this delectable meal we walked back to the Air Bnb to wind down and prepare for the next day.
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