Carmen de los Geranios: Casa Museo Max Moreau
If you’re exploring the Albaicín neighborhood, don’t miss the Max Moreau House Museum in Carmen de los Geranios, near the Mirador de San Nicolás.
Carmen de los Geranios is a municipal museum in Albaicín that served as the residence of the Belgian artist Max León Moreau. In his later years in Granada, he donated his heritage to the cit. Carmen de los Geranios was restored and converted into a museum by the Granada City Council, inaugurating it as the Max Moreau Museum on October 29, 1998. From this place, you can immerse yourself in Moreau’s artistic experience.
A Carmen is a type of building unique to the Albayzín neighborhood, derived from the Arabic word “Kam,” meaning vineyard, and by extension, orchard or garden.
Carmen de los Geranios is a distinctive example of Albayzín’s typical architecture, with Roman origins and Arab development. This structure combines a dwelling and garden on terraces while preserving its Islamic layout. A Carmen is more than just a garden; it’s a space where flowers, fruit trees, and even vegetables coexist, creating an environment that blends ornamental and functional elements.
Carmen de los Geranios includes a dwelling, orchard, and garden spread over three small terraces to adapt to the hillside. Among the vegetation, you’ll find a fig tree, rose bushes, and many geraniums, all surrounding a small pool. The property consists of three buildings connected by courtyards: the painter’s house, the studio, and the caretaker’s residence. Starting our tour, we first visit the left building, now transformed into an exhibition hall, where works of the Belgian painter are usually displayed, along with pieces from other invited artists. On the right, the second building houses the artist’s personal library, an intimate and simple space displaying his readings and part of Max’s literary production. At the back, the artist’s studio remains preserved as Max Moreau left it, with the piano and sheet music, a collection of oriental objects from his travels, the easel given by his father, and more. The ground floor provides a journey through Max Moreau’s biography, featuring abundant photographic information on his education, travels, family, and friendships.
Address: Camino nuevo de San Nicolás, nº 12, Granada.
Winter hours: Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00 to 13:30 and 16:30 to 18:00.
Summer hours: Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00 to 13:30 and 17:00 to 19:00.