Granada in March Day 7 Sacromonte

We get off to an early start and walk through the quiet streets of the centre in the direction of Sacromonte. The early morning, now that the temperatures have risen a little, is the best time of the day in Granada, quiet, the first sun, brilliant blue sky with the white houses and a soft mist in the direction of the Alhambra and Dehesa del Generalife. We go through Sacromonte but our destination is actually Abadia de Sacromonte. It's easy walking despite the uphill stretch at the end and we are soon wandering around the outside. It's a lonely and romantic place so early with no-one around and a few crows cawing in the trees.

Also here, at 10.30, our free tickets entitle us to a guided visit. The Abbey is built in thin  red bricks and the patio with orange trees and flowers is pretty and warm. 

After a short explanation in the two small museum rooms about the mysterious lead books, Christian teachings written in Arabic https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lead_Books_of_Sacromonte 

and the importance of languages in the history and studies of the Sacromonte Abbey we visit the small church. The visit continues in the Holy Caves which include a small underground chapel.

During our visit we meet two other Italians who must have been on our same flight coming to Granada and share our impressions as we walk back down to Sacromonte. In Sacromonte we visit the Museo de la Mujer Gitana which is interesting as a way to see inside one of the cuevas and also for the information about gypsies, much of which I didn't know.

We decide to go home for a quick and frugal lunch because it's already quite late and afterwards go to Mercadona to stock up. Later, after a stroll around the centre and a look at Palacio de la Madraza

and the shops on the Calderia streets, which had been too busy to explore on Sunday, we go up through the Albaicin to the Eremita de San Miguel. It's quite hot walking up but the view is beautiful as the sun lowers  towards the horizon.

Afterwards we glide quickly down through the dusky streets of the Albaicin and reach Paseo de los tristes in time to see the first lights of the Alhambra coming on with the sky still light behind.

Back 'home' we eat a little too late and a little too much, our own fried sardines supplemented by a massive falafel and vegetable concoction from La Primavera kebab place just below the apartment, plus chips. The food is all delicious and freshly prepared, totally different (and far superior) to what is called kebab back home. It seems we have an appetite.