III. COMING TO A HALT

Carlos II, the last Spanish king of Austrian descendant, commisioned his architect, del Olmo, the building of Caballerizas (the Royal Stables). Carlos III asked Juan Esteban to build Cocheras (the Royal Coach House) on the site we are standing now, surrounded by the streets calle del Rey, calle Patriarca, calle Lotería, calle Calvario and calle Camino a Guadarrama. After the Peninsular War the Caballerizas were badly rundown and what could be saved was transferred to the grounds of Cocheras, both being together since the middle of the XIX century. After the Acts of Freedom from Mortmain part of it was sold to private hands to built private homes. The rest remained as Royal Patrimony and in 1931 was handed over to San Lorenso de El Escorial County Council which used it as a State School. In 1974 it was demolished by the County Council and rebuilt as the new school we see today.

Luckily the part of Cocheras that remained in private hands survived till the presente day, being the site where we are standing today holding this exhibitions, having been restored to its former glory by private enterprise. We hope you enjoy it. If you have any questions, please, do not hesitate to ask us. We will very happy to help you and make you feel at home here.