FLAMENCO IN THE SACROMONTE CAVES OF GRANADA 

According to the tradition the Sacromonte caves were constructed and inhabited by the Muslims more than 500 years ago. Later, after the conquest of Granada, some of the Muslims converts to Christians who had been isolated and then joined by the recently arrived gypsies, used them as living quarters and temporary refuge. Also, many pilgrims from the Abbey sometimes hid out in the niches of the caves.  Nevertheless, since the 18^th century their more habitual dwellers, and those who have mostly given the cave their international recognition, have been the gypsies.

If Sacromonte is known for being a purely gypsy neighborhood, what’s true is that today people of all races and walks of life, with a wide and undeniable gypsy base, certainly but also plenty of “payam”, the gypsy language “caló” word for all of those people who are not gypsy.

 Obviously, after six centuries of cohabitation between gypsies and “payos”, strong ties have been formed, more or less naturally, although not without historic difficulties. Fruits of this communication between cultures are many mixed marriages, and the children produced by those marriages, know traditionally as “gallipavos”, children of such a rich cultural lineage will most certainly turn into great men and women for the future of Humanity.

When did the gypsies arrive at Sacromonte? This question has been an object of scientific date recently, and it is almost impossible to give a definitive answer. Maybe in order to answer that question, you have to ask how they arrived in Spain.  Up until recently, the opinion was maintained that the gypsy people came from the Punja, in India, based on certain analogies of their Indoeuropean language. It was supposed that gypsies were Indoeuropean and a city was even named as their origin: Uttar Pradesh. But this hypothesis does not have a solid base.  Aside from whether or not there was a gypsy city – another issue – the radical problem was the linguistic question: one same language and habit that could be shared by two groups that are ethnically different, without being forceably one united ethnic group, or people. The Berbers from Morocco are a different ethnic group from the Arabs, but both groups speak the same language, the classic Arabic dialect (dar?ya), and inhabit the same nation state, Morocco, under the same faith, Islam.

While the flamenco music and dance unfold before your eyes, you will be served a selection of the best Spanish cuisine.  To begin, you can choose between a variety of exotic salads, deli meats from the Alpujarra mountain region, or if you really want to be traditional, an Andalusian gazpacho (cold seasoned tomato soup).  The main courses can be hake fish, swordfish, porkloin in Roquefort cheese sauce, or in a Nazarí Oporto wine sauce, you have much to choose from.  Accompany these succulent dishes with a little bit of Spanish wine or sangría and finish off the dinner with a sweet dessert.

In terms of the show, the Cuevas los Tarantos has prepared for you a traditional “Zambra Gitana, or gypsy party. It covers the essence of flamenco paying homage to its oldest roots.  The show is pure and genuine flamenco, with music that will elevate you to levels of unknown pleasure. With 14 guitarists, the strums of their strings and the dance will fill the air of the catacomb with a magical ambience.

Sacromonte, 9

or transport from your hotel

Comfortable clothes 

Flamenco music and dance show and dinner

50% 7 Days before the date of the visit

100% 48 Hours before the date of the visit

In order to change the booking date check with the tour operator