Historic and Artistic Buildings

Situated at the centre of Olvera's urban area is a collection of architecturally beautiful and elegant buildings. So much so, that they were to be declared of historic value in 1983. In particular, they include the ALBARRADILLAS and small squares of the different quarters, the majestic facades in C/ Llana and the nooks and crannies and twists and turns of they narrow streets and alleys.

The origins of later day Olvera can be found around the Arab castle and the Nazarí period. Built in the 12th Century, forming a triangular base, it sits on the top of a crag, its walls and turrets and "Tower of Allegiance" are all conserved. From here and following the gradient of the land the old town has developed, there is a square and an irregular labyrinth of streets. A historic country house with its noble entrance highlights the best examples of popular Olvereñan architecture.

The "Villa" Quarter:

Situated in the old part of town, next to the Ntra. Sra. de la Encarnación Church (Our Lady of the Incarnation).

The Villa sits on top the primitive Olvera settlement on one of the many rocky flat spots that today splash all over the historical area. Antaño was a walled enclosure and remains of its towers and walls can still be seen. The Arab castle and neoclassic church preside over a white mass of small houses aligning the curved and parallel streets, narrow and with no particular direction. This somewhat chaotic design has its roots in the towns Islamic past.

The Arab Castle

Next to the Church Square, access is either via Calzada Street or Subida a la Iglesia Street

Horario: de 10h30 a 14 h00 y de 16h00 a 18h00, lunes cerrado

It was declared of cultural interest in 1985, even though it has an uncertain origin. It was built either during the Moorish occupation or in the centuries before. It formed part of the Nazarí de Granada kingdoms defences. Wrapped around a rock in the highest part of the town, the castle has an irregular shape in the form of an elongated triangle. Its only access door is protected by a barbican, and shows signs of once being adorned by a Coat of Arms. The fortress also has the “Homenaje” tower, ramparts, two turrets, an underground enclosure and two wells one of which supplied water to the tower. The castle that we see today also shows signs of Christian features being a product of successive reworks following its capture by the Castilian troops. Part of the outer wall that once surrounded the Villa has also survived.

"La Cilla" House

Plaza de la Iglesia 7

Winter Opening Times 1030h to 1400h and 1600h to 1800h Summer Opening Times 1030h to 1400h and 1600h to 1900h Mondays closed.

Edificio construido durante el Señorío de la Casa de Osuna, sin fecha exacta. Su destino primitivo era la recogida de granos, frutos y productos de las cosechas del término municipal, pertenecientes al Ducado. El edificio sufrió reformas y adaptaciones en el tiempo y a mediados del siglo pasado, los sucesores de la casa de Osuna ceden su uso al Ayuntamiento que la destina a cárcel municipal. Su penúltima adaptación, ya en manos privadas, es su transformación en lagar y bodega. Actualmente y después de su restauración pasa a ser Centro Cultural "La Cilla", albergando el museo: “La Frontera y Los Castillos”, la Oficina de Turismo y una sala de exposiciones.

Ntra. Sra. De la Encarnación Church (Our Lady of the Incarnation)

Plaza de la Iglesia. Access is via Calzada Street or Subida a la Iglesia Street.

De martes a Domingo de 11h00 a13h00

álbum completo

A magnificent neoclassic construction built towards the end of the 18th Century under the instruction of the Duke and Duchess of Osuna. It has three large naves covered the marble imported from Italy. The church is built on the site of an old Arab mosque and replaced a primitive gothic church whose remains are preserved baptismal chapel.

Outside two facades open onto the square, the main one has twin towers and closes off the main nave as well as the main entrance and two small doors to access the towers. The side façade also has an entrance to the church.

Sacred Heart Monument

Plaza de Andalucia. Access via Victoria Street.

A rocky outcrop next to the Plaza de Andalucía, fully landscaped with stepped paths winding their way amongst the flowers, trees and animals to the monument at the top and its magnificent views.

Ntra. Sra. De Los Remedios Sanctuary

It is situated on the Olvera to Torre Alhaquime road, 2km out of Olvera.

De Lunes a Domingo de 9h00 a 14h00 y 17h00 a 21h00

A tranquil 18th Century building standing amongst olive groves and rocky crags where people come from all over the surrounding area to worship the Virgin del Los Remedios, patron saint of Olvera, and is represented by a statue dated from around the 15th Century.

The origins of the building date back to the 16th Century with a small chapel situated in “the place of the pine trees”. An image of Ntra. Sra. De Los Remedios that was worshiped in the parish church was brought to the chapel and placed on the altar. A hermit looked after the place and collected the donations and gifts.

Since 1715 the popular pilgrimage “Romería del Lunes de Quasimodo” has been celebrated in the sanctuary surroundings. It takes place on the second Monday after Easter.

Former Convent Ntra. Sra. De Caños Santos

Declared a monument of cultural importance in 1985, it can be found in the Valle Hermoso Mountains. Its origins have been linked with a Celtic settlement called Caricus and the legendary Gran Cenosia, until it was reduced to a small Visigoth town. Following the Islamic invasion, its inhabitants hid an image of the Virgin in a nearby mountain and was discovered in 1512 by the cowboy Tello Pascual in the rocky hollow of a spring. A small chapel was erected and by the middle of the 16th Century, a magnificent church and convent occupied by Franciscan monks had been built.