Opening the cloisters: The Royal Monastery of El Escorial hosts a week of art, creation, prayer, and spirituality this summer

A week full of art and prayer. The Alfonso XII Royal Secondary School and the Royal University Center María Cristina of El Escorial (Madrid) will host more than 165 participants for the 5th session of The Observatory of the Invisible: A Journey through Wonder by way of Beauty.

The Observatory of the Invisible (OI) is a summer school of art and spirituality promoted by the Vía del Arte Foundation.

For years, the artist Javier Viver, with the support of the foundation's board—among them, Princess of Asturias Award winner Antonio López, composer and orchestra director Ignacio Yepes, architect Benjamín Cano, and painter María Tarruella—has successfully launched a unique initiative of community-based creation and prayer that has taken place in several monasteries across Spain.

The first three sessions were held at the Monastery of Guadalupe with the support of the Archdiocese of Toledo. Last year's session  was hosted by the Monastery of La Santa Espina and was introduced by Monsignor Luis Argüello, president of the Spanish Episcopal Conference.

The interdisciplinary nature of the gathering offers its more than 165 participants the chance to immerse themselves in a holistic experience through ten hands-on workshops in film, sculpture, vocal expression, poetry, photography, theater, painting, and more. A week of encounters "building bridges between disciplines, arts, and different ways of approaching faith," in which each "observer’s" perspective will be enriched by others, "whose professional and personal ties extend beyond this week."

A collaboration "Beyond the Walls": Opening our Cloisters

Throughout the week, aside from the workshops and communal meals in the cloisters and refectories, as well as leisure time in the monastery gardens, there will be opportunities to attend daily Mass, explore the secrets of El Escorial, participate in conferences, forums, polyphonic prayers, and evening gatherings in the cloisters featuring electronic and classical music sessions.

From the Order of Saint Augustine, particularly from the Curia's Communications Office and the Commission for Apostolate and Evangelization, we aim to support activities that align with our mission to promote the Gospel through culture and beauty, following Saint Augustine’s path. We seek to collaborate with other Church experiences and contribute our expertise and historical heritage—our way of safeguarding beauty—with the goal of internationalizing these kinds of initiatives.

When is it? How has it been in previous years?

From July 21 to 27, 2025, at the Alfonso XII Royal Secondary School and the Royal University Center María Cristina in San Lorenzo de El Escorial, Madrid, Spain.

A project of the Vía del Arte Foundation in collaboration with the General Curia’s Communications Office.

If you're over 18, you can pre-register for your spot, check out the program, read testimonials from past participants, and view images and various materials at the following website link.

www.observatoriodeloinvisible.org