The Escorial Palace and the Valley of the Fallen.
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The EscorialPalace and Monastery, located in the town of San Lorenzo near Madrid, is well deservedly recognized as one of the most mystical places in Spain. Some call this building “the eighth wonder of the world”, some – “architectural ugliness”, but no one remains indifferent to the Escorial – the resting place of the Spanish kings. The building of the complex has always been perceived by people contradictory, the very place of its construction brings some mystical delight, and sometimes horror. There are many legends connected with Escorial , about which you will learn on excursion.
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In 58 kilometers from Madrid, in the mountains of Guadarrama, not far from the monastery of Escorial is a majestic monumental complex of the Valley of the Fallen (Valle de los Caidos). Construction of the complex began in 1940, just after the end of the civil war (1936-1939) on the orders of Francisco Franco as a sign of reconciliation and in memory of those who died on both the Nationalist and Republican sides.
