Description of the attraction
The Benedictine monastery of Sacromonte is located three kilometers northeast of Granada, practically on the top of Mount Sacromonte, the name of which translates as “sacred mountain”. Once upon a time, gypsies lived in the caves located on the slopes of this mountain. In 1595, the relics of the disciples of the Apostle James were discovered on this territory, as well as plates made of lead, where the martyrdom of Saints Cecilio, Tesiphon and Isisio were described in Arabic. The place where the martyrs were tortured was also described - the chapel of the Holy Sepulcher, which has since become a mecca for pilgrims.
In 1598, a separate building was built to store the relics, and in 1600, according to the project of the Jesuit architect Pedro Sánchez, the construction of a monastery began here. The customer was the Archbishop of Granada Pedro de Castro Cabeza de Vaca, after whose death, unfortunately, the construction was stopped. At that time, only the patio, one of the naves and the church were rebuilt. The church is notable for its beauty and richness of decoration and decoration.
In the main building of the monastery, Archbishop Pedro de Castro Cabeza de Vaca managed to found a school in which law, theology and philosophy were taught, and which became one of the first private schools in Europe.
The library, located in the monastery building, contains the original blueprints and building plans created by Pedro Sánchez. In 1711, thanks to Archbishop Don Martin Askargot, the construction of the monastery was continued. At the beginning of the 20th century, premises were added, which occupied the institute and the university.
There is also a museum on the territory of the monastery, where the found lead plates are kept, as well as old manuscripts, books, coins, tapestries and paintings by famous artists of Spain.
