Los Molinos de Ocón reveals different facets of its history and landscape: sacred architecture, the former communal production of olive oil, and a recreation area shaped by water. The churches and hermitage offer insights into architectural history and furnishings, the Trujal de Ocón preserves evidence of oil production, and Fuente Grande brings together a natural setting and water management. These highlights offer different ways to shape your stay—from art history to landscape and local recreation.
Churches and Architectural History
The Iglesia parroquial de San Babil stands at the highest point of Los Molinos. It was built in the 17th century with the involvement of Juan and Martín de Alzaga. Inside the church is a life-size crucifix from the same century, set in a Neoclassical altarpiece. The building’s history and furnishings offer several points of historical interest.
The Ermita de Santa María de Velilla is located in the Bodegas district. Parts of the building date from the 16th century; it was extensively remodelled in the 18th century. Its Renaissance altarpiece from the mid-16th century depicts the seated Virgin Mary. The chronology distinguishes the older structural elements from the later remodelling, while the altarpiece adds its own note to the history of the furnishings.
The platform at the Ermita offers exceptional views of several places in Ocón: Los Molinos, Pipaona and Las Ruedas, as well as Castillo de La Villa and the Sierra la Hez nature area. Here, the architecture and the view connect a single building with the wider picture of the settlements and landscape.
The Former Trujal de Ocón Olive Mill
The Trujal de Ocón, the former cooperative olive mill serving the villages of Ocón, is located in Los Molinos. Its original rooms, machinery and traditional mechanisms for producing olive oil remain unchanged. The mill’s former operations can therefore be traced through its preserved equipment and spaces. The workers’ accommodation, used by those employed seasonally at the olive mill, has also been preserved on the mezzanine floor. This detail adds an insight into seasonal working life to the technical story of the site.
Water and Recreation at Fuente Grande
Fuente Grande is a natural area where water from the Sierra is collected, channelled and carried on to El Redal. Today, especially in summer, the area also serves as a place for residents to enjoy leisure and recreation. It has an area for exercise, as well as tables and benches; poplar groves provide plenty of shade. Water management and recreational use thus describe two different functions of the same natural area. If you would like to take the facilities into account when planning your visit, check their condition before you go.
The Lavadero de Los Molinos
The Lavadero de Los Molinos is beside the path leading out of the village towards Pipaona. The simple building is made of masonry with rounded rubble stones and has a gabled roof and a ceiling of wooden beams. Its form and materials set it clearly apart from the churches: here, the focus is on the building’s shape and construction. Along with the Trujal, the Lavadero is one of the varied architectural landmarks that shape the character of Los Molinos de Ocón.
A simple way to explore the local highlights is to distinguish between them: San Babil and the Ermita represent sacred architecture and the history of church furnishings, the Trujal represents former olive oil production, and Fuente Grande represents water management and residents’ summer recreation. The Lavadero adds to this picture as a simple building on the path towards Pipaona. You can choose the highlights that match your interests in culture, architecture or landscape.
Discover more destinations: Villalba De Rioja, Zaldierna, Arnedillo, Navarrete, Azarrulla, Almarza De Cameros, Lardero, Las Ruedas De Ocón
For the regional travel overview: La Rioja.
