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By Grandes Villas SL

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Secret beauties of Granada: The Cármenes of the Albayzin

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When you walk around the Albayzin, you may get impressed by its high and white walls draped with tendrils of ivy. But, have you ever wonder about the spaces behind those old walls? There you'll find an intimate and secret place consisted of beautiful gardens and fountains, called the Cármenes of the Albayzin. A carmen is a traditional andalusian house characterized for their gardens, fountains, ditchs and high walls which provide with a privacy typical from islamic culture. Some of them are public or have been turned into restaurants, so it's possible to visit them!

Probably one of the most amazing ones is the Carmen de los Mártires, a beautiful and romantic area near the Alhambra which was built in the 19th century. This carmen is formed by a palace building and vast gardens: a French garden with a large pond, which has a statue of Neptune and it's surrounded by other statues that represent the four seasons; an English garden, the Palmeras Garden, with a fountain and irregular squares of hedge and with palm trees; the Paisajista Garden; the Lake - an pond that the vegetation tries to hide, making it look like a real lake, surrounded by two small islets; and the Nasrid Patio, built in 1944, which imitates the typical elements of a Nasrid garden.

Something special about this one is not only that is very close to the Alhambra, but also that is inhabited by beautiful peacocks. Although you can arrive there by bus or taxi, we recommend you to go by walking: you will cross the Alhambra forest, a very fresh and green site! The entrance to the Carmen de los Mártires is free but you have to take into consideration its schedule:

  • From April 1 to October 14: 
From Monday to Friday from 10:00 am. to 14:00 pm. and 18:00 pm. to 20:00 pm. 
Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from 10:00 am. to 20:00 pm. 

  • From October 15 to March 31: 
From Monday to Friday from 10:00 am. to 14:00 pm. and 16:00 pm. to 18:00 pm.
Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from 10:00 am. to 18:00 pm.

You can also visit the Carmen de Max Moreau, which is public and it's occupied by an Art museum.

Have a nice day!

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