Translation: Jon Alkorta Martiartu, PhD (EHU/UPV)
The Seat of Philip II
An altar of the Vettones in the mountains of Madrid
The Seat of Philip II, located in the municipality of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, Madrid, is a site of great archaeological and touristic interest. Although it was traditionally associated with Philip II, who supposedly used it as an observation point to supervise the works of the monastery of El Escorial, more recent research points to a pre-Roman origin, specifically as an altar used by the Vettones to perform ritual sacrifices.
This cluster of tiered platforms and seats carved directly into the granite rock, known locally as Canto Gordo, is a testimony to the presence and spirituality of the Vettones, a people of Celtic culture who inhabited the west-central region of the Iberian Peninsula before the Roman conquest. The Seat of Philip II is characterized by its three large units, the most important of which is the one facing north towards the Monastery of El Escorial, made up of three stone seats separated by two armrests.
In addition to its historical and cultural value, this site is located in a protected natural environment, offering panoramic views of the monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial and the forest of La Herrería. The area is rich in biodiversity, with tree species such as honey oaks, Montpellier maples, wild cherry trees, linden trees and chestnuts. A Montpellier maple in the grounds of the Seat is listed as a ‘Singular Tree’ by the Community of Madrid.
Interest in this site lies not only in its possible religious and ceremonial function as an altar of the Vettones, but also in its contribution to the understanding of the ritual practices of pre-Roman peoples of the Iberian Peninsula. Despite the legends linking the site to Philip II, the evidence points to a much older and spiritually significant past, making it a fascinating place for historical and natural exploration.
OpenEdition le sugiere que cite este post de la siguiente manera:
Dr. Pedro Ortega (5 de abril de 2024). La silla de Felipe II. El blog de Tartalo. Recuperado 19 de marzo de 2025 de https://doi.org/10.58079/w66y