Olvera: History, Vía Verde and Hotels

Olvera combines a rich architectural history with the Vía Verde de la Sierra, a route along a former railway line. Wooded hills and olive groves also shape the surrounding area. If you’re looking for a hotel in Olvera, these different highlights can guide your trip planning: historic architecture in town, a route to explore on foot, by bicycle or on horseback, or an event related to olive growing.

Castle and historic old town

Castillo Árabe de Olvera was built at the end of the 12th century as part of the Nasrid Kingdom of Granada’s defensive system. Barrio de la Villa, Plaza de la Iglesia and the castle formed the Arab Almedina, which Alfonso XI conquered in 1327. Christian troops took the castle in the same year; it subsequently became a stronghold of the Crown of Castile. Since 1985, the castle has been listed as a “Bien de Interés Cultural” in the category of military architecture. The building’s history thus encompasses both its defensive function and the political changes that followed the conquest.

Olvera’s parish church was built over the earlier Gothic-Mudéjar main church, whose apse has been preserved. The church was completed in the Neoclassical style in 1843. The surviving trace of the earlier building and the later architectural design are thus part of the same history. Olvera’s historic centre is designated a historic site (“Conjunto Histórico”).

The narrow, irregular streets of Barrio de la Villa follow the contours of the terrain. The neighbourhood is characterised by whitewashed façades and stairway entrances. The Muralla Urbana preserves towers and sections of the medieval fortifications. The castle, the surviving parts of the town walls and the varied structures in the historic centre together offer insight into Olvera’s architectural history.

The restored La Cilla cultural centre includes an archaeological exhibition and houses the cultural centre “Olvera, La Frontera y Los Castillos”. Another religious site is Santuario Los Remedios: the temple dates from the 18th century and is home to Olvera’s patron saint, the Virgen Nuestra Señora de los Remedios.

The Vía Verde de la Sierra

For a different way to spend time in Olvera, consider the Vía Verde de la Sierra. The route is more than 36 kilometres long, runs between Olvera and Puerto Serrano, and follows the former Jerez–Almargen railway line. Its infrastructure includes 30 tunnels and four viaducts. The route’s starting point in the municipality of Olvera is at the former railway station below the historic castle. You can travel the route on foot, by bicycle or on horseback.

Unlike the individual buildings, the Vía Verde is a longer route with several ways to get around. If you’re interested, you can choose an activity to suit your trip plans. The route along the former railway line, together with its tunnels and viaducts, gives the trail a distinctive connection to railway history; for a different focus, the castle, church and town walls offer insight into Olvera’s history as a fortified town.

Olive oil and local traditions

Olivera is an annual fair held in Olvera, dedicated to olive growing and extra virgin olive oil. The programme includes olive oil tastings and guided visits to cooperatives and olive mills. Dates and programme details vary from one edition to the next, so check the dates for the relevant edition before planning a trip around it.

The Romería del Lunes de Quasimodo is another event associated with Santuario Los Remedios. It is celebrated around the temple on the second Monday after Easter Sunday. These are two different calendar events alongside the permanent sights: the dates and programme for Olivera vary with each edition, while the Romería is tied to a date in the religious calendar.

Discover other destinations: Chipiona, Medina Sidonia, La Zarzuela, La Línea De La Concepción, Puerto Real, El Bosque, Poblado De Doña Blanca, Los Barrios.

For the overview of the wider region: Cadiz.