On the hill of Sabika, in the environs of the Alhambra, we find a magnificent stately home overlooking the entire city, the sierra and the meadowlands: Carmen de los Mártires, although the name is deceiving as it is clearly much larger than the typical carmen.

This imposing building occupies a plot of land known as the Campo de Abahul by the Moors or the Corral de los Cautivos (Pen of the Captives) by the Christians following the conquest of the city. Its name comes from the legend that suggests that this place was employed to hold Christian martyrs captive. Carmen de los Mártires is surrounded by a series of pastoral gardens: the French garden, featuring the fountain of Neptune, the English garden, the palm garden, the landscape garden and the Nasrid courtyard. Today, many loving couples choose the Carmen de los Mártires as an ideal venue for their wedding.

Photos by Javier Sánchez

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En mi pecho florido
Que entero, para él solo, se guardaba.
Mi bien quedó dormido.
Y yo le regalaba
Y el ventalle de cedros aire daba.
El aire de la almena,
Cuando ya sus cabellos esparcia
Con su mano Serena,
En mi cuello hería
Y todos mis sentidos suspendía

SAN JUAN DE LA CRUZ
“Noche oscura del alma”
Los Mártires, Granada, 1586
Siglos XIII-XIV Campo de Ahabul, con silos nazaries.

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Fotos de Javier Sánchez