Graena: Cave Heritage, Churches and Festivals

Culture

Graena’s buildings extend around a hill into which most of the town’s caves were dug. Most homes in Graena are cave dwellings. In the centre of Graena is the Mudéjar church, which dates from the 16th century. The single-nave church has a very well-preserved polychrome coffered ceiling. The church portal is designed in the Renaissance style. It depicts the Assumption of Mary.

History

Since the beginning of the 20th century, Graena has grown both in terms of population and the number of caves. During this period, people began excavating the caves in the Barrio del Secano. The Cueva de la Tía Micaela was carved into the rock at the end of the 10th or beginning of the 11th century. Its various rooms are spread across three levels. Corridors, stairways and connecting shafts link these levels together.

Things to do

A marked path with explanatory panels leads to the Cueva de la Tía Micaela complex. For a visit on foot, the SL A 219 hiking trail is listed as 3.6 km long; it leads from Plaza Olmo in Graena to the Cueva de la Tía Micaela near Cortes and provides access to the area’s troglodytic heritage. The Centro de Interpretación and the interior of the Cueva de la Tía Micaela can be visited as part of tours organised by Goyo Garrido Adventures. The Balneario de Graena is located at Calle San Antonio 5 in Graena. The waters of the Balneario de Graena are associated with properties that promote health and well-being.

Festivals

The San Marcos festival is celebrated in Graena on 25 April. Its traditional Potaje de San Marcos is a chickpea stew. It is cooked in large cauldrons in the town square. The San Lorenzo festival is celebrated in Graena on 10 August and includes a procession carrying the image of the saint. During the San Lorenzo festival, a bull run descends from the Sierra to Graena; those interested can accompany the animals on foot or on horseback. On 15 September, the Santo Cristo festival is celebrated in Graena in honour of the Santísimo Cristo de los Milagros. It includes a mass, a procession, a traditional communal refreshment and a verbena. The Procesión del Encuentro takes place at dawn on Easter Sunday in Graena. During this procession, the two processions meet in Graena at the Ermita de las Ánimas.

Geographical setting

Cortes y Graena is located in the Geoparque de Granada and is surrounded by a mountainous landscape.

Other places

Other destinations: Belerda, Baúl, Villamena, Caniles, Alamedilla, Cúllar, Granada, La Calahorra

To the overview of destinations in the wider area: Granada.