Oliva de Mérida – Rock Art, History and Hiking Trails

The area around Oliva de Mérida is rugged in character and has a distinctive scenic appeal. The Casa de la Encomienda of the Order of Santiago was built at the end of the 14th century by Order Master Lorenzo Suárez de Figueroa; its remains are preserved in the El Palacio area.

Culture and History

The movable cultural heritage of the Purísima Concepción Church in Oliva de Mérida has been recognized as being of historical and artistic interest. The Charneca Chica rock shelter belongs to a documented group of rock shelters with schematic rock paintings in the municipality; the depictions there are attributed to the transition from the 4th to the 3rd millennium BC.

The Cueva de la Charneca is located in the Sierra de la Francisca within the municipality of Oliva de Mérida and features rock paintings on its walls. The Cueva de la Charneca was used at the end of the Neolithic, between the 4th and 3rd BC, as a place for burials and funerary rites.

El Palomar is an Orientalizing archaeological site where excavations in 1998 documented a workshop for producing bronze objects, including the remains of a furnace and a catch basin for securing the moulds.

The archaeological evidence focuses on different aspects: Charneca Chica and the Cueva de la Charneca represent rock paintings, while El Palomar documents the production of bronze objects through a workshop, a furnace and a catch basin. The sites can therefore be distinguished by the traces that have been preserved.

Hiking and Landscape

The Ruta de Peñas Blancas is 18 kilometres long, rated as moderate, and passes through landscapes of great historical and scenic interest. A 14.9-kilometre circular hike to the Cueva de la Charneca begins in Oliva de Mérida and ends there again. The two route details can be considered side by side in terms of length, rating and course. For planning purposes, the routes can therefore be distinguished by two clear features: the Ruta de Peñas Blancas is explicitly rated as moderate, while the circular hike begins in Oliva de Mérida and ends there again.

Traditions

Las Candelas is a patronal festival in Oliva de Mérida and takes place on 2 February. On the eve of Las Candelas, a verbena with a traditional bonfire is held. During the festival, Pantarujas, representing evil spirits, are burned in the bonfires. There are usually stalls selling food and drinks; grilled chorizos and Pestorejo, seasoned and grilled pork snout and ear meat, are offered.

Water and Nature

The San Juan Reservoir, also called La Garza Reservoir, is a fishing spot located near Oliva de Mérida; the cacho is the most common fish species there.

Those considering Oliva de Mérida as a travel destination can sort holiday apartments by travel dates, room category and cancellation conditions. The period, the desired room layout and the conditions for changes or cancellation concern different aspects of their own planning. Accommodation choices thus remain subordinate to the individual travel plan.

More Destinations

More destinations include Valdecaballeros, Calamonte, La Morera, Ribera Del Fresno, Badajoz, Fuente Del Maestre, Risco and Don Alvaro.

For the higher-level travel overview: Badajoz.