Landscapes of Water in the Royal Site of El Escorial. Dams, Fountains, and Ponds

The hydraulic network at the Royal Site of El Escorial was mainly built in two stages. The first one began in the second half of the 16th century, as a part of the Monastery's water supply system. However, it was extended two centuries later to meet the demands of the two Casitas or small garden houses built for prince Carlos and infant Gabriel by architect Juan de Villanueva. Both net-works gave rise to a set of singular landscapes of water, and to gardens and orchards that underwent significant transformations along the centuries due to the new uses and the cultural trends. Taking advantage of the periodical emptying of the water supply by Patrimonio Nacional, we have documented and studied many original elements that are usually underwater. Moreover, we reconstructed the original layout of the hydraulic network, focusing on the two dams of El Romeral, and the main ponds.