History
The Sacromonte Abbey was founded in the 17th century. Beneath the church lie the catacombs where Saint Cecilius, the first bishop and today the patron saint of Granada, was martyred. The most remarkable features of this church, designed by Juan de Maeda and completed in 1567, are the extraordinary Mudejar coffered ceilings of the nave, the transept and the main chapel, as well as the Renaissance ceiling of the first of its ten chapels, all made by Juan Vílchez. The doorway, by Pedro de Orea, is a magnificent example of late 16th-century Andalusian Renaissance architecture.
The valley beneath the abbey is known as the Sacromonte Valley. The abbey stands on the summit of Mount Valparaíso, at the end of the path of the seven slopes. Along this path, which offers wonderful views of the Avellano fountain, four of the monumental crosses still stand out of the thousands placed on this hill during the 17th century by guilds, families and devotees of these "holy places". From here there is a beautiful panorama: the Alhambra, the Christian city, the Albaicín, Jesús del Valle... You can get there either by the Camino del Sacromonte, which starts at the Peso de la Harina halfway up the Cuesta del Chapiz, or by the Camino de San Antonio from Haza Grande. Under Spanish and Andalusian heritage law it is a Site of Cultural Interest (B.I.C.), the highest level of protection.
If you would like to visit the Sacromonte Abbey, you may be interested in the following guided tour:
Sacromonte Abbey tour - Private guide
- Book a guide just for you or your group.
- Departures: Tuesday to Sunday
- Opening hours:
Tuesday - Sunday: 11:00-13:00 and 16:00-18:00
Public holidays: Closed - Click the 'Enquire' button and tell us which monument you would like to visit, how many people you are and the date of your visit. We will reply to your email address as soon as possible.
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