Buera: Olive Culture, Architecture and Routes

Buera brings together olive culture, architecture and landscape. At the Torno de Buera, the focus is on oil production and tasting; the Bosque de los Olivos is dedicated to olive varieties, their fruit and their uses. There is also a linear route to the Santuario de Santa María de Dulcis, as well as buildings with very different forms. This makes it easy to distinguish the town’s themes from one another.

Olive Oil and Olive Varieties

A visit to the Torno de Buera includes an immersive 360-degree video. It shows the production of oil from the olive harvest to the oil on the table; virtual reality with VR headsets is also part of the visitor presentation. The visit ends with an introduction to tasting several monovarietal oils from nearby olive groves. Monovarietal means that each oil is made from a single olive variety. The presentation therefore takes you from the production process through to the tasting; check the booking arrangements before you travel.

The Bosque de los Olivos is near Buera, in the area around the Santuario de Santa María de Dulcis, and includes various olive varieties catalogued in Somontano. Each tree has an information point. It covers the characteristics of that variety and its fruit, how the fruit is used, and the areas of Somontano where the variety is found. The information thus classifies the olives not only by name, but also by fruit, use and regional distribution.

Another distinctive feature is the Reloj de Sol de los Olivos: in this unusual natural setting, the sun tells the time on each of the 13 olive trees. While the Torno focuses on oil production and tasting, the Bosque showcases individual varieties; the Reloj de Sol incorporates the olive trees into a sundial.

Route, Views and Pozo d'Os Moros

The linear route from Buera to the Santuario de Santa María de Dulcis is 4.6 km long, has only slight elevation changes and is not difficult. You can cover the route on foot or by bicycle. You can also drive closer to the Santuario de Dulcis. This gives you different options: a specific route on foot or by bicycle, and the option of approaching the sanctuary by car.

Near Buera, there is a panoramic view of Buera, the Sierra de Guara, the limestone walls of the Cañón del Vero and medieval Alquézar. The Pozo d'Os Moros is also on the way to the Santuario de Dulcis. This large, circular structure is partly set into the ground and has a dome built entirely of stone. Its shape, partially sunken position and stone dome are its distinctive architectural features.

Church and Santuario de Dulcis

The Iglesia de San Juan in Buera is a 16th-century parish church dedicated to San Juan Bautista, Saint John the Baptist. The small building has a medieval character. Its unplastered stone walls emphasize its simple, understated design and clear geometric form.

The Santuario de Santa María de Dulcis is a chapel. Its interior is decorated with elaborate plasterwork. By contrast, the simple stone walls and clear form define the appearance of the Iglesia de San Juan. The two buildings thus create distinct architectural accents.

Visits to the Santuario de Santa María de Dulcis can be arranged by telephone on 620 057 721; confirm the arrangements before your trip. The pilgrimage to the Santuario takes place on the second Saturday in May. Check the dates and arrangements for the relevant year before you travel.

Discover more destinations: Berganúy, Yésero, Lasaosa, Hoz De Jaca, Sabayés, Camporrotuno, Satué, Gerbe

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