Sacromonte is one of the most particular and idyllic neighborhoods of Granada. It is located on a reddish hill in the eastern part of the city and borders the popular Albaicín neighborhood. Sacromonte stands out for its cave houses, gypsy witches, its Abbey and its famous schools. Keep reading if you don’t want to miss anything during your visit to the capital of Granada. We discovered all the essential places to see in Sacromonte.
History of the Sacromonte neighborhood
Sacromonte is a neighborhood of gypsy origin. In the eighteenth century, arriving from far away, specifically from India, they settled on the slopes of the Cerro de San Miguel and on the banks of the Camino del Sacromonte, the old Muslim road to Guadix. Here they began to build their dwellings, the famous cave houses. Today you can visit some of the caves, which retain their original appearance and where you can discover the history and way of life of its ancient inhabitants.
In addition, flamenco was born here by the gypsies who lived there. Singing, guitar, cajón (box drum) and hand clapping have accompanied this neighborhood for centuries, a place of flamenco singers, guitarists and dancers par excellence in Granada.
Today, some of the inhabitants of Sacromonte live in other parts of the city, and their caves have been converted into restaurants, bars, tablaos, or even lodging for tourists.
Places of interest in Sacromonte
Sacromonte has several tourist attractions that will surprise you as a traveler. These are the most important and the ones you should not miss:
Sacromonte Caves Museum
As we already mentioned in a previous article about the best museums in best museums in GranadaThere are 11 caves preserved in perfect conditions that recreate the daily life and tasks of its inhabitants in the past. These caves are an authentic representation of the origin of flamenco and the culture of the Gypsy People. The Cuevas del Sacromonte Museum is an essential part of this neighborhood if you want to learn about its history.
Sacromonte Abbey
This 17th century abbey is another interesting place to visit in Sacromonte. This monument stands on the Valparaíso mountain and the banks of the Darro river. It is currently the residence of canons, a place of welcome and pilgrimage, a parish church and an ecclesiastical museum. The church is dedicated to the Virgin of the Assumption. In its beginnings it only had one ship with a cruise. But during the 18th century it was enlarged to form a Latin cross plan with three naves, adding a main chapel and a choir. The Sacromonte Abbey is worth a visit both for its architectural value and for the beauty of its unique setting.
Ave Maria Schools
An interesting experience may be to stop by and see the Ave Maria Schools. In 1888, Andrés Manjón y Manjón founded the first free school for children in a carmen in Sacromonte, with the clear objective of ending social marginalization in this neighborhood. This school aimed to integrate children from poor gypsy families into society, through Christian religion and pedagogy, but breaking with the traditional teaching method. He was committed to outdoor play in contact with nature and manual labor that will prepare them for a trade in the future.
Viewpoints of the Sacromonte neighborhood
This picturesque neighborhood has several viewpoints from which to enjoy wonderful views of Granada. One of them is the viewpoint of the Abbey and the other is located next to the Sacromonte Caves Museum. Both offer fantastic panoramic views of the Alhambra and the city. In addition, they tend to be less crowded than the San Nicolás viewpoint. You can get to these viewpoints by taking a nice walk, or by bus.
Chorrojumo
The Chorrojumo sculpture is another attraction in this neighborhood. Chorrojumo was a gypsy who became famous because the popular Mariano Fortuny, an outstanding painter of the 19th century, painted a portrait of him. This character was really called Mariano Fernández Santiago, he was a blacksmith and he owes his particular nickname to the jet of smoke he used to blow while working iron. He became so popular that he ended up walking around the Alhambra in costume and telling stories to tourists as a way to make a living. You will find the figure of Chorrojumo at the entrance to the neighborhood, welcoming everyone who approaches the place.
How to get to Sacromonte?
It is possible to get to Sacromonte in different ways. One is walking, going towards the Carrera del Darro and the Paseo de los Tristes to the Cuesta del Chapiz. There begins the Camino del Sacromonte that leads to the Abbey. However, we recommend you to wear comfortable shoes and to be full of energy.
Another way is to use public transportation. The bus line C34 departs from Plaza Nueva and goes to Sacromonte, ending its route at the Abadía. One is available every 20 minutes. Another option is to take the C31 line that goes up to the Chapiz slope. Once there, you can continue walking along the Camino del Sacromonte.
The list of attractions and places to see in Sacromonte is quite extensive, and it is also key to know the history of Granada and the origin of flamenco. But there is another neighborhood that you should not miss either: the Albaicín, which was where the Muslims settled during the occupation. In addition, if you are a flamenco lover, in this area you can enjoy an authentic flamenco show. tablao in Granada. In Los Jardines de Zoraya we offer different shows with live music and dance every evening.
