Abadía del Sacromonte is one of the most emblematic museums in Granada that exudes the perfect blend of history, art, and religion. It is situated on Valparaiso hill and comprises the Abbey of the XVII-XVIII century, the Holy Caves, Collegiate and Dionisio church, the Star Courtyard and a training college for priests or jewish scholars of old times.
Abadía del Sacromonte is a famous historical attraction in Granada that tells legendary stories about the Arab and apostolic origins of Christianity. Archbishop Pedro de Castro y Quiñones built this religious complex on a site that was the resting place of Saint Caecilius. It dates back to the sixteenth century and was built in a baroque architectural style. One of the prime highlights of the abbey is the Holy Cave, where the remains of patron saint San Cecilio were discovered. In the main chapel, you'll find an altarpiece that is attributed to Blas Moreno. It also features a sacred heart courtyard, a marble staircase, a star courtyard, a library, and a museum.
The furniture of the Abbey includes baroque tables and mirrors, jewellery boxes and lecterns. One of the furniture pieces that attract the most attention is the octagonal table made of hard stones inside the Sacristy. You can enjoy a guided tour of the Abadía and see the cloister, full of silence and peace, and its several permanent exhibitions. The collection includes unique documents, like the Arabic manuscripts of extraordinary value, famous 'lead books' and others.
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• Marvel at the architectural masterpiece of Abadía del Sacromonte that marks the triumph of the Counter-Reformation culture in Granada.
• Watch the place that features a Collegiate Church where you can find the Choir and organ, an Altarpiece and Guevara's painting of the Immaculate Conception.
• Checkout the paintings of famous artists, the Cristo de Los Gitanos and San Cecilio.
• Explore its four exhibition halls where you can see the finest pictorial works of celebrated artists like Francisco Saavedra's Goya of the portrait.
• Find out the catacombs under the church of the Sacromonte Abbey, where the plumbeous books were found.
• Witness the breathtaking views of the Sierra Nevada mountains and the Darro River.
By Bus: Take the C34 microbus in Plaza Nueva that passes through Abadía del Sacromonte every 20 minutes. It will take you around 10 minutes to reach your destination.
By Car: If you're coming by car, drive along Avenida de la Constitución and take a right turn to Carretera de Murcia. Reach the Fargue neighbourhood and take a turn at Camino Viejo del Fargue from the El Caldero Restaurant. Turn left onto Carretera de la Abadía and keep driving until you reach your final destination. Once you reach the Abbey, park your car at the free parking on the Esplanade.
By Foot: From the Plaza de Isabel la Católica, you'll have to walk for around forty minutes to reach Abadía del Sacromonte.
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The opening hours are the best time to visit Abadía del Sacromonte as the crowd is less, and you can explore the attraction and see the various exhibits at your own pace. It is also suggested to plan your visit on the weekends if you want to have a crowd-free experience.
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Tips to Visit Abadía del Sacromonte
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The collegiate church is situated in the complex of the Sacromonte Abbey and is dedicated to the Assumption. This Baroque styled church comprises three naves, two lower side naves, a central nave, and the main chapel. The walls are decorated with beautiful sculptures and paintings by renowned artists. The highlight of the church is the altarpiece which occupies the entire front area of the building and even contains some relics.
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Holy Caves are located in the underground passageways of the Sacromonte Abbey. It is the place where relics of Christian martyrs like San Cecilio and his followers, San Patrick and San Hisicio, were found. There is also a small chapel in the Holy Caves where it is believed that Saint Cecilio took his last breath. The passageways have been illuminated with skylights so that you can see everything clearly.
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The Star Courtyard is one of the key attractions of Abadía del Sacromonte which is a small outer room where you can meditate, pray and appreciate the beautiful surroundings. Due to its simple design and calm atmosphere it is often considered as a haven of peace and tranquillity. It also has a central fountain that enhances its beauty.
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The Church of San Dionisio is one of the finest examples of neo-gothic architectural style. It stands out because of its beautiful elongated stained glass windows, high ceilings, and gold leaf altarpiece. It is currently used for organizing various events like weddings, corporate parties, and receptions.
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Inside Abadía del Sacromonte, you will find the residence space of the students who once studied and lived over here. In the alumni dining room, you can see the authentic marble tables wherein the students had their dinner, lunch, and breakfast.
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