Abadía del Sacromonte

The Abadía del Sacromonte crowns the Sacromonte hill, a 17th-century abbey that marks the spot where lead tablets and bones were discovered in caves — later proved to be forgeries, but the abbey was built anyway. The complex includes a small museum of religious art, the cave-catacombs where the fake relics were found, and panoramic views across the city that rival the Mirador de San Nicolás.

The walk up through the cactus-lined paths of Sacromonte to reach the abbey is itself worthwhile, passing cave dwellings, workshops, and flamenco venues on the way. The museum has oddities, the catacombs have atmosphere, and the hilltop setting completes the picture.

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A story
The abbey was founded after lead tablets were discovered in the hillside caves in 1595, inscribed in Arabic with texts purporting to be the writings of early Christians martyred under the Roman emperor Nero. The tablets caused enormous excitement in Spain and beyond — until scholars proved them to be 16th-century forgeries, most likely produced by Moorish converts trying to create common ground between Islam and Christianity.