El Escorial, Valley of the Fallen

USAC, due in part to the fact that it is one of the least expensive programs out there, does not have many excursions as part of the package. In fact, we have two. And one of them was to El Escorial and the Valle de los Caidos (Valley of the Fallen). And since the basilica at the Valle was closed for renovation, the second half was a little half assed... but still fun :)

El Escorial is another town keeping some of its historial beauty. We visited the castle/monastery set up for the King Philip II (I think?) for his post-Kingship retirement. While photos are strictly forbidden (and they DO get touchy about this), some people, myself included, got pics of the highlights. This is mainly the burial area and the library.

Burial chamber at the monastery/alcazar of el Escorial that we are NOT allowed to take a pic of (well done, Kenny, well done). On the left are the kings, on the right are their queen counterparts (but ONLY if they were the mother to bear a successor). Almost cute that they were buried with their sweeties, until you realize how many decomposing bodies are surrounding you... ew. but AWESOME.

This is Goya's painting of St. Francis. I got yelled at for taking this picture, but suck on it, mean security guard. I got to study this in my St Francis of Assisi class. And I can tell you exactly what each of those six wings on the seraph on the left represents :)

El Valle de los Caidos (valley of the fallen) is where fallen soldiers of the Spanish Civil War (on both sides) and Franco are buried. We weren't able to go inside, unfortunately, as the basilica was closed for renovation. Still. That's one huge cross, visible from wayyyyyyyyy far away.