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It is often said that knowledge is power, and this is never more accurate than when you establish yourself as a foreign resident in a new country, like Spain. Being able to quickly familiarise yourself with the culture, rules, events, and customs can help ease the transition during a challenging time.
This is why Euro Weekly News makes it our mission to provide you with a free news resource in English that covers both regional and national Spanish news – anything that we feel you will benefit from knowing as you integrate into your new community and live your best life in Spain. In this way, you can forget about translating articles from Spanish into awkward English that probably don’t make much sense. Let us be your convenient and essential guide to all things that will likely affect you as a foreign resident living in Spain.
Almeria
It is often said that knowledge is power, and this is never more accurate than when you establish yourself as a foreign resident in a new country, like Spain. Being able to quickly familiarise yourself with the culture, rules, events, and customs can help ease the transition during a challenging time.
This is why Euro Weekly News makes it our mission to provide you with a free news resource in English that covers both regional and national Spanish news – anything that we feel you will benefit from knowing as you integrate into your new community and live your best life in Spain. In this way, you can forget about translating articles from Spanish into awkward English that probably don’t make much sense. Let us be your convenient and essential guide to all things that will likely affect you as a foreign resident living in Spain.
Almeria
By Marc Menendez-Roche • Updated: 06 Jan 2025 • 10:55 • 3 minutes read
Astonishing UNESCO World Heritage site in incredible Spanish city ‘tourists don’t know about’ reopens after €6.5m revamp. A young woman wearing a hat watching a beautiful sunset in front of the stunning water pond at Frailes Garden at San Lorenzo de El Escorial monastery near Madrid, Spain’s capital. Credit: Shutterstock, Vivvi Smak
Astonishing UNESCO World Heritage site in incredible Spanish city ‘tourists don’t know about’ reopens after €6.5m revamp. It’s a real-life ‘Disneyland castle.’
An amazing UNESCO World Heritage site secretly nestled deep in the foothills of Spain’s central mountainous region is getting a full-scale €6.5 million revamp and reopening to the public.
The historic monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is undergoing a €6.5 million overhaul that promises to unlock secrets hidden for centuries.
Though it’s not technically a ‘castle’, visitors from around the world are raving about its striking resemblance to a ‘real-life’ Disney castle.
Built under the watchful eye of Philip II, the grand complex once symbolised Spain’s imperial might. Now, almost 40 years after joining the UNESCO list, it’s being restored to its former glory – and more.
Philip II of Spain, who incidentally married England’s Mary I, had an audacious dream: to build a monastery in the middle of nowhere.
The vision took 21 gruelling years, two master architects – Juan Bautista de Toledo (a protégé of Michelangelo) and Juan de Herrera (a war-hardened visionary) – and immeasurable dedication to bring El Escorial to life. The result? A sprawling 33,000-square-metre masterpiece that still leaves visitors in awe.
The two-year restoration, part-funded by the EU, aims to reintroduce visitors to El Escorial’s true splendour. For the first time, the ‘Patio of Kings‘ – the grand monastic courtyard – and once-private royal art collections will be opened to the public.
The stunning city of El Escorial already attracts over 450,000 visitors annually, but heritage experts believe it deserves even greater respect and recognition. With its new look, the site is poised to become an even bigger draw for history buffs and architecture aficionados alike. It’s Spain at its most authentic, a far cry from cheap paella and sangria at tourist hotspots.
If you’re looking to see ‘real Spain’, pack your bags and head 35 miles out of Madrid to witness history brought back to life – because this is one makeover that truly reigns supreme.
San Lorenzo de El Escorial’s 400-year-old Casa de Cultura has also had a facelift, proving it’s never too late to modernise. In a project worth €67,694, this cultural treasure has swapped old-school for state-of-the-art.
The main auditorium now boasts brand-new carpeting, reupholstered seating, and a cutting-edge audio-visual system, ensuring audiences get both comfort and crystal-clear sound. Over in the Sala Manuel Andújar, it’s out with the old and in with the new – featuring a sleek new floor, a laptop, a large-format screen, and top-notch audio-visual gear to bring presentations to life.
For budding artists, there’s good news. The engraving workshop now has shiny new plan chests to store materials, giving a boost to creative pursuits. Meanwhile, outside the building, fresh information panels and billboards have been installed to keep locals in the loop about upcoming events.
The upgrades haven’t stopped there. Extras like new lecterns, desk arms for chairs, a paper shredder, and an additional air conditioning system have been thrown in to make this historic space even more versatile.
Not to be outdone, the Casa de la Juventud has undergone a dramatic transformation, with a whopping €102,429 spent to cater to the next generation.
The venue now welcomes visitors with snazzy automatic doors and beefed-up security at both entrances. Restrooms have been completely revamped, offering a cleaner, modern vibe. And if tech’s your thing, the new Espacio +13 delivers in spades: virtual reality headsets, gaming consoles, and accessories bring the fun factor up a notch.
But the upgrades aren’t all fun and games – literally. The already stunning auditorium got a glow-up too, with new lighting fixtures and a projection screen for community events. Even the staircases have had a chic makeover, with vinyl flooring and decorative touches making the climb a pleasure rather than a chore.
To top it off, the space now boasts colourful modular tables, brand-new storage cabinets, and a dedicated air conditioning system in the rehearsal room, ensuring young performers can practice in total comfort.
A little TLC (and a lot of euros) can breathe new life into old spaces. These upgrades aren’t just about aesthetics – they’re about creating functional, welcoming spaces where the community can connect, create, and thrive.
With historic charm on the outside and modern facilities within, San Lorenzo is giving locals every reason to feel proud of their town’s cultural heartbeat. Who said you can’t teach an old Casa new tricks?
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Marc is a writer, teacher, and language enthusiast. With a background in business and legal communication and an interest in educational neuroscience, Marc has spent over a decade teaching and writing. Now, as part of the team at Euro Weekly News, Marc enjoys diving into entertaining topics and stories that matter to the community. When he’s not writing, Marc loves practising martial arts, playing football, cooking up a storm in the kitchen, or spending quality time with friends and family, but above all, Marc enjoys spending time with his son, Macson.
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