Olula del Río: Churches, Art and Festivals

Culture and History

The Iglesia Nueva in Olula del Río is the Nuestra Señora de la Asunción church and was built in the 1960s.

It was inaugurated and blessed on 14 July 1968.

The Iglesia Vieja is the San Sebastián church and was built between 1780 and 1789.

It is considered one of the best examples of Neoclassical architecture in the province and has a floor plan in the shape of a Greek cross.

The remains of a medieval fortress and a medieval cistern lie on Cerro de la Piedra Ver.

There is also evidence of a Bronze Age settlement at Piedra Ver de Olula, which was probably located on the western slope of the hill.

El Cañico is a peri-urban spring a few metres from the Almanzora River.

At El Cañico, on the night of San Juan, local residents maintain the custom of washing their faces at the spring.

The Ermita del Cristo de la Buena Muerte stands at the foot of Cerro Almirez in the Sierra de los Filabres.

The Museo Casa Ibáñez contains more than 1,200 inventoried works.

It displays Spanish modern and contemporary art from Goya to the present day, with particular emphasis on the Spanish figurative tradition.

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 there in five rooms; the holdings of his archive are also being systematically digitised.

An approximately eight-metre-high sculpture by the artist Antonio López complements the Ciudad de la Cultura de Olula.

Trails and Landscape

The PR-A 328 Las Arrodeas–El Pinatar is an officially designated hiking trail in Olula del Río.

The SL-A 170 route runs through the quarries and identifies the Museo Casa Ibáñez and the Centro Pérez Siquier as attractions in the area around Olula del Río.

The route is listed as 4.51 kilometres long, of medium difficulty and taking approximately 67 minutes.

The Olula del Río section of the Vía Verde del Almanzora has a paved surface and is 1.6 kilometres long.

It can be used on foot, by mountain bike and in a wheelchair.

Festivals and Traditions

The Fiestas de San Sebastián y San Ildefonso, Roscos y Carretillas are recognised as a Festival of National Tourist Interest in Andalusia.

The San Sebastián y San Ildefonso, roscos y carretillas celebration takes place annually in Olula del Río and is officially recognised as a local religious, cultural and traditional festival.

On the Night of the Carretillas, thousands of carretillas are set off in Olula del Río, while the image of San Ildefonso is carried through the town and specially protected participants fire the fireworks.

The Romería del Cristo de la Buena Muerte takes place on the second Sunday in May.

During this romería, the image is normally carried exclusively by a group of women.

The romería features decorated floats, groomed horses and live music.

More Local Pages

More local pages: Huesa, Los Cerricos, Las Norias, Sorbas, Marchena, Almería, Costacabana, Chirivel

To the higher-level travel overview: Almeria.