Olvera is often announced as the ‘best of the white towns’. With a population of 1200 it is larger than the majority of pueblos. Olvera is really in Cadiz Province but if staying at a Casares Del Sol Villa it is reachable for a very special day out.

The pueblo has the traditional Spanish much loved white washed houses, steep narrow streets, churches and castle. It has more than enough for the holiday visitor. Those in the area in August will be treated to the local fair which is renowned for being the most lavish in the region. It lasts for some 5 nights, carrying on until approximately 5am, singing and dancing, side shows, stalls – it has the lot! In the daytime the visitor can expect to be treated to football matches, clay-pigeon contests and novice bullfights to name but a few.

How Olvera managed to get its name is a bit of a mystery. Some say it is very simply to do with the number of olive trees in the area. Giving perhaps some credence to this theory is the fact olive oil is one of the area’s main agricultural exports. Indeed it might be that simple but others say it is to do with its Arabic history when it was called ‘Wupira’. The castle was part of Granada’s line of defence. In 1327 the pueblo was conquered by Alfonso XI.

Wherever it got its name from the pueblo is most certainly steeped in history and there has been a pueblo in its location for some 12 thousand years.

In 1983 Olvera was declared officially to be of Artistic and Historical buildings. This is a far cry however from the 19th century when the pueblo was the home of outlaws and murderers! Being such a good place to take refuge from the law a famous regional saying emerged into folklore ‘Kill your man and flee to Olvera!’ Thankfully those days are now long gone.

The pueblo is seen these days by many to be of great religious significance. A monument to the Sacred Heart of Jesus perched on a natural outcrop is the focus. Many a believer has crawled on hands and knees in pilgrimage. It is to do with the vow to the popular sanctuary of the Hermitage Church of “Nuestra Se

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