Graena – Cave Dwellings, Trails and Festivals

Caves and Landscape

In Graena, the built-up area extends around a hill into which most of the town’s caves were dug. Most residential buildings in Graena are cave dwellings. Cortes y Graena is located in the Geoparque de Granada and is surrounded by a mountainous landscape. The settlement pattern and landscape can be considered two clearly distinguishable spatial themes when planning.

Culture and History

Since the beginning of the 20th century, Graena grew in terms of both population and the number of caves; during this period, people began excavating the caves of the Barrio del Secano. In the center of Graena stands 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 and features a depiction of the Assumption of Mary.

Trails and Sightseeing

The Cueva de la Tía Micaela was carved into the rock at the end of the 10th or beginning of the 11th century. The cave comprises various rooms on three levels, connected by passages, stairways and connecting shafts. The Cueva de la Tía Micaela complex can be reached via a marked trail with explanatory panels. The SL A 219 hiking trail runs for 3.6 km 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 organized by Goyo Garrido Adventures. The stated trail length, the panels and the organized tour are different pieces of information that allow you to prioritize between the trail and culture.

Thermal Waters

The Balneario de Graena is located at Calle San Antonio 5 in Graena. The waters of the Balneario de Graena are attributed with properties that promote health and well-being.

When comparing a holiday apartment in Graena, you can consider travel dates, room category and cancellation conditions side by side. Travel dates, room category and cancellation conditions describe different aspects of an offer; which of these are important to you depends on your planning and the intended focus among caves, trails, festivals and thermal waters.

Festivals and Local Traditions

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

More Destinations

More destinations: Bubión, Velilla-Taramay, Castillo De Tajarja, Peligros, Escúzar, Cástaras, Lobras and Zújar.

To the higher-level travel overview: Granada.