Carmen de los Martires in Granada – a Haven of Tranquility and Peace

The Carmen de los Martires (Carmen of the Martyrs) is situated in the vicinity of Alhambra, to the south of the walled enclosure atop the hill known as Campo del Ahabul by the Arabs.


Carmen of the Martyrs derives its name from the memory of the Christian captives who were held in Arab prisons.

It is one of the most beautiful and fascinating places in Granada. For those who love gardens, this is definitely a must-see destination during your visit to Granada.

With an area of just over 7 hectares, with impressive views of the city and Sierra Nevada, this is without a doubt a privileged place to relive much of the history of Granada.

Place of silos and dungeons

During the Nasrid period, it served as a location filled with silos and dungeons, where Christian prisoners were held captive.

It was King Al-Ahmar, who ordered the construction of the numerous silos here, which were later repurposed as dungeons.

In these silos, which were dug underground or in caves within the rock, supplies for the Alhambra were stored. Apparently, there were up to 14 of them located here.

They were shaped like inverted funnels, with a small round hole approximately 7 meters deep serving as the entrance to a flat and circular chamber with a diameter of 8 meters.

When they were converted into dungeons, each silo could hold about 100 prisoners.

First Christian church of Granada

After the Taking of Granada by the Catholic Monarchs, the place was renamed Corral de los Cautivos or Campo de los Mártires.

Queen Isabella the Catholic herself ordered the construction of a hermitage at the highest part of the hill to honor the Christian martyrs who died here.

It was the first Christian church in Granada.

Its foundation was confirmed by Emperor Charles V, and since it was established as an annex to the Royal Chapel, it was attended by the royal chaplains.

The Convent of San Juan de la Cruz (from the 16th to the 19th centuries)

In 1573, the Convent of San Juan de la Cruz was founded here, which housed an illustrious monk.

Saint John of the Cross served as prior of this convent between 1581 and 1588. In this quiet and beautiful place, the saint was inspired to write much of his poetry.

He himself participated in the construction of an aqueduct, which we can still see today, to bring water from the Royal Acequia of the Alhambra.

They used this method to water the convent gardens, which were adorned with a great variety of aromatic plants such as rosemary, thyme, oregano, lavender, and more. This garden is open to visitors today.

In its surroundings stands the very cedar that Carmelites brought from America in the 16th century and planted here for the enjoyment of the saint.

Saint John of the Cross references this cedar in his famous work, The Dark Night.

Today, this type of cedar or cypress, which was new to Spain at the time, is known as the San Juan cedar.

In 1620, the convent church was completed, and the old hermitage became part of it as a chapter house. The church had several chapels and was equipped with a cloister and numerous rooms.

Unfortunately, the Convent of the Santos Mártires and its church disappeared after the Confiscation of 1842 and the land passed into private hands.

19th Century Palace and Kings' Accommodation

The aristocrat and senator Carlos Manuel Calderón purchased the land and constructed his pleasure house here. The place was then renamed Cercado de Calderón.

It was during this time that the palace was built, the gardens were laid out, and the pool, where the monks accumulated irrigation water, was enlarged to give it the appearance of a lake.

Even today, while walking through the gardens, you can see remnants of the walls of the convent and its church.

Many of them have been used as retaining walls, greatly influencing the original structure of the gardens.

The Palm Garden or English Garden, the Orchard, the Landscape Garden, the French Garden, the Balcony Garden and The Garden of Arches are all situated on different terraces or levels.

In 1862, Queen Isabel II and the King Consort stayed here as guests of Calderón.

A significant influence on its current decoration was its later owner, the wealthy French financier Humbert Meersmans, who purchased it in 1891 and imparted a more romantic touch. He installed columns, Renaissance façades, and modernist fountains, among other additions.

At this time, the Carmen de los Mártires experienced a period of splendor. Once again, in 1904, the kings Alfonso XIII and Victoria Eugenia attended a grand banquet here, invited by Meersmans.

On a plaque in the fountain of the grotto at the entrance to the Alameda de Hércules, you will see the names of other European monarchs and illustrious visitors who have been here.

Among them, the poet José Zorrilla stayed at the Carmen de los Mártires when he came to Granada for his coronation as National Poet.

Historical Style Gardens

El Carmen de los Mártires was declared an Asset of Cultural Interest (BIC) in 1943 due to its exceptional historical significance.

And one of the most important parts of Carmen is its wonderful collection of gardens, which represent nearly the entire history of gardening.

In this sense it is a unique and exceptional place, being the first known example of its kind.

In the gardens of Carmen de los Mártires you will find: an Andalusian or Spanish Garden, an English Neoclassical Garden, a Landscape or Romantic, a Nasrid Courtyard and a French Baroque Garden.

In the French Garden, geometric shapes predominate.

Among its mangolia trees, palm trees and orange trees, a spectacular spruce of large size and age stands out.

In this garden, you will find a species uncommon in the gardens of Southern Spain but predominant in France: the hornbeam.

Its designer was a French landscape designer of excellent training. Upon completing his work, he insisted that a French gardener be responsible for its upkeep. Consequently, a small house was built to accommodate the gardener and his wife.

In the central fountain of the garden, there is a beautiful sculptural group that surrounds it, representing the four seasons.

The main axis of the garden leads the visitor to contemplate the Torre de la Vela, a view that is better appreciated in winter when the tall trees of the Alhambra Forest have shed their leaves.

In the gardens of Carmen de los Mártires, you can also find beautiful pomegranate trees, unique cypresses from Cartagena that bloom in autumn and winter, as well as many common cypresses.

These trees have become very popular throughout Granada and have become representative icons of the city.

In the Landscape or Romantic Garden Meersmans wanted the lake to be navigable and to have a boat shaped like a swan, thus recreating a scene from VWagner's opera Lohengrin.

Around the pond we find the oldest trees, some of them up to 150 years old.

The wig or smoke tree (Cotinus coggygria) stands out, actually a flowering shrub in spring with hairy flowers and in autumn, its leaves display intense and beautiful colors.

Decadence and Restoration: a Garden of Poets

At the end of his life, Meersmans became bankrupt and sold the carmen to the Duke of Infantado, who created the magnificent viewpoint offering views of Granada and Nasrid Patio.

Its last owner was Sister Cristina de la Cruz de Arteaga, a Hieronymite nun who inherited the Carmen from her father, the Duke of Infantado. She donated the Carmen de los Mártires to the Granada City Hall in 1958.

After an unfortunate period in which it was on the verge of disappearing, the Palacete and part of the gardens were restored, and now they are a place to stroll and enjoy.

A poets route has been created in the gardens, where you can read verses by poets related to Granada, such as San Juan de la Cruz or García Lorca, or winners of the Federico García Lorca International Poetry Prize.

In 2014 Granada was designated a City of Literature by UNESCO, and was the first Spanish-speaking city to receive this recognition.

The palace is only open for weddings and official receptions. Cultural events are also held here, providing an opportunity to see the interior.

Currently you can visit all the gardens and enjoy the magnificent views of the city, the Vega and Sierra Nevada. Admission is free.

Opening Hours and Entrance Price of Carmen de los Mártires

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.

Entry to Carmen de los Mártires is free of charge.

How to Get There and Contact Information

You can reach Carmen de los Mártires by Alhambra Bus, routes C30 and C32: It is a small red minibus.

You can take it at Isabel la Católica street. Get off at the stop 'Carmen de los Mártires'.

Contact Information

▸ Address: Carmen de los Mártires, Paseo de los Mártires s/n, Granada 18009.

▸ Phone: 958 849 103.

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