VII. PROCESSIONS AND WALKS

A walk is a relaxing outing to a public spot just for pleasure. A procession is an organized outing to celebrate, represent or accompany somebody or something. The most important processions were a triumphal entry, a masquarade and a funeral.

Funerals in El Escorial were especially important after Felipe II built de Monastery with the Real Panteón (the Royal Pantheon). When a member of the Royal Family died there was in place an organization and protocol to arrange the procession of members of the Royal Family, courtiers, attendants, escort, members of the clergy to accompany the coffin to the Monastery. The protocol remained unchanged for many years until the XIX century when it had to be slightly altered as the coffin of Alfonso XII was brought to El Escorial from Madrid by train.