The Holy Caves of the Sacromonte Abbey

The Santas Cuevas are the origin of the Abadía del Sacromonte. The complex was built in different phases, with its most characteristic elements being built in the 17th century. These include the chapels of the Santas Cuevas, the priests' residence, the collegiate church, the cloister and the Colegio Viejo (Old College). At the end of that same year, its construction was given a boost with the enlargement of the original college and its increased heritage.

If you would like to know more about the Holy Caves of the Sacromonte Abbey in Granada, read on.

The Holy Caves

First of all, before landing in the Santas Cuevas, we find a stone path in the courtyard called Sagrado Corazón (Sacred Heart) where a series of sculptures appear. Among them we find Saint Sebastian, Saint John of the Cross and Saint Teresa of Jesus. In the last section, we can glimpse two figures dedicated to the life of the Virgin.

In the Holy Caves we are introduced to two angel musicians around the great Monstrance, the place where the Catholic tradition of the Body of Christ is displayed.

It is worth mentioning that the Holy Caves were the site of the discovery of the plumbeous books as well as the remains of the first martyrs who evangelised the area. After this discovery, it was modified by the construction of various chapels inside.

Exterior entrance and its chapels

We find the Baptismal Chapel where the front of the altar made of Sevillian ceramics stands out. Likewise, on the table we can see a series of golden reliquaries from the 18th century, which represent the testimony of the martyrdoms suffered.

The staircase leads us to the galleries of the grottoes, very similar to the catacombs of Roman times.

First of all, there is a large vault leading to two chapels, the chapel of the Sorrowful Virgin and the chapel of the Immaculate Conception. Subsequently, we see a second vault, which means that we are in the so-called ‘Horno de San Cecilio’, the most venerable place in the Santas Cuevas. Here we find a reliquary bust of the saint as a memorial to the place of his burial.

Further on we find the Capilla de Piedra (Stone Chapel), the most sumptuous and baroque chapel, carved in stone as its name indicates. In its altarpiece we can find a carving of the Virgin of the Rosary from the 18th century Granada school. On either side are paintings representing San Antón and the Saviour.

Finally, at the bifurcation there is a large room and the Chapel of Santiago. This was the house where the first five priests who attended to the pilgrims lived. A noteworthy feature is the enormous stone under a brick arch, which was said to be on top of the boxes of the Plombic Books. In the Chapel of Santiago we find a Renaissance altarpiece dedicated to the Immaculate Conception.

Many travellers say that walking through the Holy Caves of the Sacromonte Abbey in Granada, they are invaded by peace and tranquillity.

Did you know all this information about the Santas Cuevas? Have you not yet visited the Sacromonte Abbey of Granada from the inside? Buy your ticket online and book your visit to the Sacromonte Abbey.