Olula Del Río: Churches, Art and Routes along the Almanzora

Olula Del Río combines church architecture, art and archaeological traces with specific route options. When looking for a hotel in Olula Del Río, these themes offer different points of focus: historic architecture, art collections, local festival traditions or activity on designated routes.

Churches and traces of history

The Iglesia Nueva is the Church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción. It was built in the 1960s and inaugurated and blessed on 14 July 1968. The Iglesia Vieja, the Church of San Sebastián, was built between 1780 and 1789. It is considered one of the finest examples of neoclassical architecture in the province and has a Greek-cross floor plan. The construction period and floor plan give this church a clearly recognizable architectural profile.

The remains of a medieval fortress and a medieval cistern are located on Cerro de la Piedra Ver. There is also evidence of a Bronze Age settlement, probably situated on the western slope of the hill. The Ermita del Cristo de la Buena Muerte stands at the foot of Cerro Almirez in the Sierra de los Filabres.

El Cañico is a peri-urban spring, a few metres from the Almanzora River. On the night of San Juan, residents observe the custom of washing their faces at the spring. Alongside the historic buildings, a waterside location and a local tradition also offer ways to explore the area’s cultural history.

Art and festival traditions

The Museo Casa Ibáñez contains more than 1,200 catalogued works. It displays modern and contemporary Spanish art from Goya to the present day, with a particular focus on the Spanish figurative tradition. The collection can therefore be viewed both in terms of its chronological scope and its artistic focus.

The Centro Pérez Siquier is the first museum in Spain dedicated to one of the country’s classic photographers. Works by Pérez Siquier are displayed in five galleries; the contents of his archive are also being systematically digitized. A sculpture by Antonio López, about eight metres high, complements the Ciudad de la Cultura de Olula.

The Fiestas de San Sebastián y San Ildefonso, Roscos y Carretillas are held annually and are recognized as a local religious, cultural and traditional festival. The festival also holds recognition as a Festival of National Tourist Interest in Andalusia, dating back to 1998. On the night of the Carretillas, thousands of Carretillas are set off while the image of San Ildefonso is carried through the town. Specially protected participants set off the fireworks.

Routes and choosing your trail

In Olula Del Río, the PR-A 328 Las Arrodeas–El Pinatar is officially designated as a hiking route. Another option is the SL-A 170, which passes through the quarries and lists the Museo Casa Ibáñez and the Centro Pérez Siquier as nearby places of interest. The hike is listed as 4.51 kilometres long, of moderate difficulty and taking about 67 minutes.

The Olula Del Río section of the Vía Verde del Almanzora is shorter, at 1.6 kilometres. It is paved and can be used on foot, by mountain bike and in a wheelchair. The two route descriptions thus offer different points of reference: the SL-A 170 listing gives the duration and difficulty, while the Vía Verde section specifies the length, surface and ways it can be used. Published route details may be updated; check trail conditions before setting out.

Discover more destinations: Velefique, Macael, Marchena, Balerma, Lucainena De Las Torres, María, Purchena, Adra.

For the main travel overview: Almeria.