huge quadrangle of granite buildings near Madrid, built (16th cent.) by Philip II of Spain: it encloses a palace, church, monastery, etc.
See Escorial in American Heritage Dictionary 4
(ĕ-skôrˈē-əl, -skōrˈ-, ĕsˌkō-rē-älˈ)
A monastery and palace of central Spain near Madrid. Built from 1563 to 1584, it was commissioned by Philip II to commemorate a victory over the French and is the burial place of many Spanish sovereigns.