Olula del Río brings together churches, museums, archaeological traces and trails, making it a destination with cultural and outdoor highlights. For your planning, it helps to set a priority: architecture and art, local customs, or hiking and the Vía Verde each lead to different topics.
Churches, Art and 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; its floor plan is in the shape of a Greek cross. The two churches therefore offer contrasting historical and architectural features: one dates from the 1960s, while the other is a late-18th-century neoclassical design.
The museums also have different focuses. The Museo Casa Ibáñez houses more than 1,200 catalogued works. It presents modern and contemporary Spanish art from Goya to the present day, with a particular focus on the Spanish figurative tradition. The Centro Pérez Siquier displays works by Pérez Siquier in five galleries; at the same time, the holdings of his archive are being systematically digitised. The Centre is the first museum in Spain dedicated to one of the country’s classical photographers.
Another work of art enriches the Ciudad de la Cultura de Olula: Antonio López’s sculpture, which is about eight metres high. On Cerro de la Piedra Ver, meanwhile, are the remains of a medieval fortress and a medieval cistern. There is also evidence of a Bronze Age settlement, probably located on the western slope of the hill. Thus, evidence from two different periods can be found on Cerro, although the Bronze Age settlement cannot be considered certain.
Springs, Customs and Festivals
El Cañico is a peri-urban spring just a few metres from the Almanzora River. On the night of San Juan, residents observe the custom of washing their faces there. If you are interested in the connection between landscape and local tradition, this is a tangible link between a named place and a recurring custom. The Ermita del Cristo de la Buena Muerte stands at the foot of Cerro Almirez in the Sierra de los Filabres.
The Fiestas de San Sebastián y San Ildefonso, Roscos y Carretillas are held annually. They are officially recognised as a local religious, cultural and traditional festival and are also considered a festival of national tourist interest in Andalusia; this recognition was published in the official gazette in 1998. 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. The fireworks are set off by participants wearing special protective gear. The festival thus combines its religious designation with a distinctive pyrotechnic tradition.
Hiking Trails and the Vía Verde
There are different routes to consider for hiking. The PR-A 328 Las Arrodeas–El Pinatar is an officially designated hiking trail in Olula del Río. Route SL-A 170 passes through the quarries; sights in the Olula del Río area include the Museo Casa Ibáñez and the Centro Pérez Siquier. The hike is listed as 4.51 kilometres long, of moderate difficulty, and taking about 67 minutes. Check the current route conditions before setting out.
The Olula section of the Vía Verde del Almanzora is 1.6 kilometres long and paved. It can be used on foot, by mountain bike and in a wheelchair. The information offers different points of reference for planning: the duration and difficulty are specified for the SL-A 170, while the Vía Verde is described in terms of length, surface and permitted uses. Check the current route information for the section you intend to use before your trip.
Discover more destinations: Los Escullos, El Hijate, El Pilar, El Parador De Las Hortichuelas, Suflí, La Breña, Arboleas, Villaricos.
For the broader travel overview: Almeria.
