The Royal Site of Saint Lawrence of the Escurial was built in the last third of the 16th century, at the behest of King Philip II. The complex extends as far as the towns of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, El Escorial, Zarzalejo and Santa María de la Alameda, on the southern slope of the Sierra de Guadarrama, in the Community of Madrid. In addition to the Escurial Monastery, this complex includes historic buildings, palaces and lands connected to the monarchy.