Olvera, Places of Interest

The main monument of this city is itself. A phrase thatexemplifies this reality is “Olvera is a street, a church, and a castle, butwhat a street, what a church, and what a castle!” For that reason Olverawas declared “A Protected Area of Artistic and Historical Importance” in 1983.

The Church

Dominating the area like the top of a pyramid is Parroquiade Nuestra Senora de la Encarnacion (the Parish of Our Lady of theIncarnation), next to the Arabic Castle. It is the vertexof a white expanse of houses among olive groves.

This church, in neoclassic style, was built by the orders ofthe Duke of Osuna in 1822 (which created a debt with the Olvera township by notinvesting the taxes in the improvement of the town) on the foundation of asmall gothic-style (Andalusian Moorish) church (conserving and incorporating asmall baptismal room), which, in turn, was built on the foundations of anArabic mosque.

The work was finished in 1843, culminating in one of thegreatest churches of the province, with sizes worthy of a cathedral. In 1936 republican revolutionaries burned some of the icons and images along with theinterior during the Spanish Civil War.

In the interior several frescoes,stained glass windows of great value, and images of the different phases of thedeath of Christ can be found, among them a Crucified Christ from the 16thcentury, discovered 15 years ago in the cellars of the building.

The Monastery of Santos Cano

Located 7 km from Olvera, it was constructed in 1542. Formany years it was the seat of the old patron saint of the city, the Holy Virginof Cano, an image kept by the local Franciscan Friars who inhabited themonastery.

In 1835 they were expelled, and the monastery wasconfiscated and abandoned. After many years, when the building was all butlost, the council of Andalusia decided torestore it. Although the monument is within the municipality of Olvera,this monastery is actually property of the city council of Alcala del Valle.

The Moorish Wall

There exists seven buttresses that support the wall; demolition of some of the wall has emphasized the “Cilla,” which served as ajail and a ducal barn, among other uses. Today it is a tourist office and amunicipal museum, comprised of four display rooms and a courtyard with amajestic view. In one of its rooms, we can find a permanent exhibition on “theCastles and Strengths of the Nazari Kingdoms.”

The Village District

Near these other buildings, in the “Old Town”(the ancient town center), within the old town walls is the village (thevillage). To walk its streets is to travel back 700 years, to when an older Olveraexisted. This was where the Visigoth town called Wubira existed. The town’sorigins are evident here (narrow streets, strategic corners, old cottages,etc.), exposing the visitor to the old architecture of the Muslim town entwinedwith the modern.

The Sanctuary of OurLady of Los Remedios

The Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Remedies is 2 km from thetown center. It was constructed in the 18th century, in Andalusian style, onthe foundations of a small hermitage.

It venerates the patron of the locality, Nuestra Senora deLos Remedios, who is loved by the town of Olvera and many towns around, knowncollectively as “the hundred hills” (the 100 mountain ranges).

Unknown persons created an original statue to her memoryduring 16th century, which was restored 10 years ago. The head of the statue isin poor condition, as the galleries became infested with termites for more thana century; however, the best possible restoration has been applied to it. TheArchbishop of Seville, Don Jose Maria Monreal Good, was crowned here in 1966.

The last restoration started in 1994 being closed to thecongregation until the conclusion of works at the end of 1999. At the momentthe greater church of Olvera is againclosed, due to a fire of an image/statue in September 2004, which lasted 15hours, leaving the sacred place in deplorable condition. It is hoped that thenecessary money will soon be obtained to reopen the church.

The Arab Castle

As it stands it was constructed at the end of the 12thcentury, mostly built during the 13th, on a strategic rock, giving the abilityto communicate with other nearby castles through signals (e.g., withlight-reflecting mirrors). Its structure was deliberately created todisadvantage enemies to the maximum.

The Square of Andalusia

The plaza, also called “La Alameda” (tree-lined area), isone of the places we must not forget to visit, where there is a majestic stone fountain/waterfall that was constructed in 2004. Above this is the Rock of theSacred Heart of Jesus, a great rock garden full of ivy, flowers, birds, andanimals. The reason for its name is the Christ statue, with arms raised, on thehighest part of the rock carved by Jose Navas Even in 1929.