Holiday apartment in Olives: church, hermitage and historical evidence

Santa Maria de les Olives belonged to a community of Augustinian canons that was founded in 1197 with the approval of the Bishop of Girona, Gausfred de Medinyà. The Santa Maria de les Olives Priory was rebuilt in the Baroque style in the 18th century, between 1726 and 1732.

Culture and history

The church preserves a polychrome alabaster figure of Our Lady of Olives. It dates from the first half of the 14th century. The central panel depicting Saint Ursula is preserved in Santa Maria d’Olives. It belongs to an altarpiece dedicated to Saint Ursula that was created between 1520 and 1525. A rectory is attached to the western wall of Santa Maria de les Olives; it was formerly the house of the canons who served the church. The church’s holy water font is made of limestone. It has been proposed that it is a pre-Romanesque piece. Santa Maria de les Olives contains a funerary urn with an inscription for P. R., the bailiff of Vilademuls. P. R. died in 1297.

Tradition

The present-day Ermita de Sant Mer was built in the 17th century. The year 1633 is engraved at one of the side entrances. Every year, on the Sunday following 27 January, the hermitage holds a gathering in honour of Sant Mer. At the feet of the Sant Mer figure stands a small dragon figure. According to tradition, it is connected with the dragon of Banyoles.

Historical traces

The remains of the fortified complex of Olives are classified as BCIN (Béns Culturals d’Interès Nacional). They date from the 15th to the 16th century. Mas Lleal in Olives dates from the 16th to the 17th century. Parts of an oil press are displayed in the garden of Can Lleal; they are connected with the house’s former olive oil production. Can Lleal preserves parchments from the 11th and 12th centuries. The lower rooms of Can Lleal formerly served as stables, as an area for oil production and as cellars.

Olives is also home to the ruins of the Santa Càndia chapel. They date from the 16th to the 18th century.

Geographical setting

The Museu Arqueològic is a museum in the wider regional area around Olives. The Museu d'História de la Ciutat is also a museum in the wider regional area around Olives. The Catedral de Girona is considered a museum in the wider regional area around Olives. Muntanya de les Mines is a summit in the wider regional area around Olives. Muntanya de Sant Miquel is a summit in the wider regional area around Olives. Turó de Can Ramió is a summit in the wider regional area around Olives. Muntanya d'en Massolet is a summit in the wider regional area around Olives.

Other places

Other places at the same level are Orfes, Els Galliners and Vilafreser.

To the higher-level travel overview: Vilademuls.