Museo Cuevas del Sacromonte. Centro de Interpretación del Valle del Darro. — Attraction in Granada

Granda is a city associated with Arabs, but also Gypsies. During the Islamic period, all cultures - Christians, Jews and Cyagnie lived relatively peacefully side by side ☝️ Unfortunately, with the first Spanish anti-Gypsy laws in the 15th century, the Gitanos were forced to move out of Granada. The goal of the Catholic Monarchs was to destroy their culture - at various points in history, Gypsies were forbidden to speak their own language or wear their own traditional dress. Even singing and dancing were banned 🏔 They found shelter on the slopes of Cerro de San Miguel on the edge of Camino del Sacromonte, the old route of Guadix Muslims. They lived in caves that had previously been dug by the Moryscans, who had been expelled from the continent. And they live to this day 👉 We visited the Museo Cuevas del Sacromonte. There are 11 las cuevas that represent the traditional living conditions of the old Gypsies, everyday objects, ceramics, dishes, furniture, costumes and handicrafts☺️ Most Gypsies made a living from crafts such as locksmithing, pottery and basket weaving, or by performing flamenco for the wealthy city center residents. 🪇 This type of folk flamenco is called Zabra - it's a mix of traditional flamenco with sounds and dances (sometimes similar to belly dancing) of Arabic origin. 😍Sacromonte is a very compact and very steep neighborhood. Most of the houses are buried in the cliff face. Some of the caves are very well-kept, others are garbage 🫣 Thanks to the location of Sacromonte on a hill, the district has a privileged viewpoint overlooking the Alhambra, the city and the valley of the...

A really informative museum spread through a selection of caves. You will learn about the history of the Gitanos, the geology and the area. A lot of the analysis is insightful and easy to understand, with a holistic and fair perspective on every issue. The descriptions are beautifully-written and display a strong knowledge of sociology, history, geology, music theory and science. Displays are in English and Spanish. Audio guide portions are in more languages.

It costs €5/person which is reasonable. A morning or afternoon here would be plenty, although the displays contain a lot of text.

Accessibility: There is no braille and limited audio options for the displays, although there are some films with narration. The walk to Sacramonte may be difficult for wheelchair users but there is a bus that goes to the foot of the stairs to the museum. However, the stairs themselves would be unnavigable for a wheelchair user. Additionally, like in much of Granada, they are very slippy and uneven in the rain. Once inside the museum area, you would be OK on crutches, but the cave entrances are...

My visit to Sacromonte was truly an incredible experience. It offered me a unique opportunity to gain insights into the lives and struggles of the Gypsy community. The rich cultural heritage of this area is both fascinating and heartwarming, showcasing the resilience and creativity of its inhabitants.

Walking through the streets, I was struck by the charm of the cave houses, which serve as a testament to the region's history. Each residence has its own story, reflecting the traditional lifestyle adapted to the harsh yet beautiful landscape. The vibrant flamenko performances further highlighted the passion and artistry that define Sacromonte, making it a cultural gem.

It is wonderful to witness the preservation of such a unique place. Sacromonte not only honors its past but also embraces the future, continuing to thrive as a cultural hub. The warmth of the community and the lively atmosphere made my visit unforgettable. I highly recommend exploring Sacromonte to anyone interested in experiencing an authentic slice of...