Sacromonte Caves, Granada
The almond trees were just coming into blossom the day we visited the Sacromonte caves, set high in the hills above the Albaicin district, on the outskirts of Granada. It seems the caves were dug from the 16th Century onwards , after the Jewish & Muslim people were expelled from their homes. Gypsies living there also contributed to the music, dance and singing which became flamenco. It was basically a community of displaced people.
The area was forcibly evacuated in 1963 after heavy rains destabilised the hillside. Today there is a Sacromonte Caves museum featuring eleven cave houses which showcase the way of life and the evolution of flamenco.
Many intimate flamenco shows are held in the whitewashed cave homes, or tablaos, in Sacromonte. We have booked to see an authentic flamenco show this evening.
It's a steep walk up into the hills, and Sacromonte also offers stunning views over the town, river and the famous Alhambra.
Looks beautiful!
ReplyDeleteIt's lovely, and very busy! Lots of people even in the winter.
DeleteLove Granada! Probably very different now to the early 70’s when I was there. I remember snow on top of the Sierra Nevada’s in mid-summer, caves and troglodytes, looking across the straits.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing ! We're in the old town so probably not too different to the 70's. Although Sacromonte Caves area is now a museum and most of the other inhabited caves look fairly neat. Snow on the mountains now, too.
ReplyDelete