Carmen de los Mártires – Granada’s beautiful Gardens.
Just steps from the Alhambra is this beautiful park overlooking the city. Few visitors know about it which is a shame. Another thing they don’t know is that visiting the park is entirely FREE of charge.
People can come here and sit by the pools, watch the colourful peacocks, see an old aqueduct, and visit a 19th century Palace with Mudejar features. The park has 7 hectares of green space featuring fountains, flowers, trees and sculptures. It really is quite impressive.
A bit of history below as well as a lot of visuals.
The History of Carmen de los Mártires
Under the rule of the Moors during the Nasrid period, this spot was first used to store supplies of the Alhambra. Large silos were constructed underground, each with a diameter of 8 meters. With time they were repurposed and used as dungeons for Christian prisoners. It was said that each silo (and there were 14) could hold 100 prisoners.
When the Christians took over in 1492, Queen Isabella ordered the construction of a hermitage to honour the Christian prisoners who had died here. It was the first church in Granada.
Later, in the late 1500’s, an aqueduct was built here (you can still see it today), part of the irrigation network of the Alhambra. This was used to water the gardens which expanded to include all kinds of plants and trees from Spain’s colonies.
In 1842 the gardens became the private property of a senator named Carlos Manuel Calderón. The Palace you see on the grounds were built during this time and the gardens and pools were reconfigured.
Over the years the Palace changed hands and Kings and Queens were invited for banquets. It was a location for the rich and famous.
In 1943 the gardens were declared an Asset of Cultural Interest because of its exceptional historical significance.
Why “Carmen de los Mártires?“
“Carmen” originates from the Moorish word “Karm” which means “vine” but which symbolically means “Garden”.
So “Carmen de los Mártires” means “Garden of the Martyrs”.
The Palace
The Palace itself is not open to the public except for certain cultural events. But entering along its side, you’ll enter a Nasrid Courtyard that takes you behind the Palace to the French Garden beyond. Many people like to come here including, when we came, a school of young artists who were sketching scenes of the Palace and Gardens.
The Gardens
You’ll see different gardens in Carmen de los Mártires. Some of the highlights are the French Garden, the English Garden, the Spanish Garden and the Romantic Garden. In the gardens you’ll find some plants not native to Southern Spain such as the Hornbeam plant (native to France) in the French Garden.
Practical Information
How to get to Carmen de los Mártires
You can reach Carmen de los Mártires by taking buses C30 or C32 from the city enter (the small red minibuses). Get off at the stop ‘Carmen de los Mártires’, you’ll know you’re getting there when you see the large Hotel Alhambra Palace.
Note: The Gardens are a short (and beautiful) walk from the Alhambra. See the Puerta de Birrambla on the way and head to the Puerta de la Justicia.
Opening Times
The Gardens are always Free.
Winter (from October 16 to March 31):
Monday-Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Saturdays, Sundays and holidays: from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Summer (from April 16 to October 15)
Monday-Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Saturdays and Sundays: from 10:00 to 20:00.
Accommodation recommendations: The Best Hotels in Granada (for all budgets)
Related: Travel Guide to the Alhambra (Granada)
Related: 2 Days in Granada
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