LA CONJURA DE EL ESCORIAL

Philip II ruled Spain between 1556 and 1598. In July 1561 he chose Madrid as the seat of the Spanish Royal Court, and the permanent residence of the Royal Family. For a host o reasons, the majority of the writers agree that Philip IIprobably made this decisicion to be closer to the El Escorial Monastery, whose construction and running was personally overseen by the monarch.
Once the Court was up and running Madrid became an indispensable stop for merchants, diplomats , soldiers, jesters , princes and members of the religious orders from all nations. The town underwent rapid growth, exceeding all expectations. By tthe end of the 16th Century, madrid had doubled in size and continue to grow at incredible rate. This growth was reflected with the building or squares, gardens, palaces, fountains. convents, churches, bridges etc., which in turn completely changed the makeup and appearance of the city. The different building projects took decades to complete and stretched across the reigns of several monarchs.
To experience Madrid in the times of Philip II, take a stroll through the history of a city that started life, as the seat of Spanish Royal Court. Today there are still numerous monuments and buildings that were designed during that period. Glimpse into the past as you walk past some of the most emblematic of these, sush as the Casa de La Panaderia ( The Bakery) the antigua Carcel de la Corte (former Gaol of the Sanish Court9, Imperial and Sacramento streets, the beautiful Plaza de la Villla of the area around the Descalzas Reales Monastery.