Sacromonte is situated in Granada, Andalucia, Spain, above Rio Darro and overlooking Alhambra and next to the neighborhood of Albaicin. As part of Andalucia, still rich with Moorish structures. It was called the Valparaiso, which means The Valley of Paradise. The name was changed to Sacramonte, translates to Sacred or Holy Mountain.
After the discovery during of the Roman period, of what they thought to be the relics of their patron saint, Saint Cecil, speculated to be the companion of Saint James the Great. Though the Vatican has not confirmed the remains to be of Saint Cecil but still the monastery that Archbishop Castro built on that site is venerated by locals and tourists. Saint Cecil is the patron saint of Sacromonte and is celebrated on the 1st of February of each year. Each year still pilgrims go to Sacromonte to celebrate the fiesta of its patron saint.
This is a gypsy community known for their cave houses, which consists of pebbles and clay. It is also known for the passionate dance, flamenco, a dance with an Arab and gypsy influence. Since the 19th century flamenco dancers are sought by the people from the north, one of the best flamenco dancers is from here, like Maria ‘La Canastera’. She danced for the Spanish king, King Alfonso XII and some celebrities came to see her perform, namely Yul Brynner, Anthony Quinn, The Belgian Monarchs, The Duke of Windsor and etc. She was immortalized in the movie with Carmen Amaya, Maria de la O. Flamenco dacing is accompanied by clapping of the hands and.
To see an authentic Flamenco setting where women wear vibrant-colored dresses and with character it’s in Sacramonte, where they open their cave-houses to the tourists and visitors. Though most of the cave houses are now being inhabited by foreigners and artists but there are some gypsies who lived in caves.
Overlooking Alhambra and Albaicin, you can find the Sacromonte Abbey or the Camino del Sacromonte at the top of the cave houses. A pleasant stroll ups on its narrow pathway the Vereda de Enmedio. You can view the best sunsets of Granada at the Abbey. You can also find some cave houses being turned into bars and restaurants. Walking the narrow streets and the views on walking up the hill will amaze you.
You will find a museum where it showcases man made cave houses for tourists and some traditional crafts these people made, and so on. There is also a typical vegetable garden at the museum. The cactuses are some vegetation of the area. It is a peaceful place and tourist-friendly. Siestas (afternoon naps) are being practiced and activities happen late evenings and so.
There are apartments or villas to rent in Sacromonte, there is also a cave for you to stay. The Verea Caves, which can accommodate ten people in one cave. There are also bars and restaurants to visit, the El Camborio is a discotheque, it opens at eleven o’clock in the evening and the best restaurant, Restaurante Juanillo, owned by a family of Flamenco dancers.
The best place to see flamenco dances is at La Canastera, usually for flamenco performances its starts at nine o’clock in the evening and tickets are cheaper when purchased at the venue.
