Oliva de la Frontera

Oliva de la Frontera is surrounded by thousands of acres of "dehesa" pastureland, creating a beautiful landscape of gentle shapes. Whilst nature has been generous with this land and garlanded it with rich fruits, this is not the only reason why the town's history has been influenced by many cultures.

Although the first evidence of settlement in the area dates back to the Celts, the Romans left a deeper mark on the history and heritage of Oliva de la Frontera. Rome was interested in the area because of its strategic value, as the area guards large deposits of magnificent copper. Some of the Roman remains found here include furnaces, tombs and coins.

Subsequently, Oliva de la Frontera has been marked by both the Visigoths and the Muslims. The Order of the Temple marked the Christian reconquest of the area, and was responsible for fortifying and defending the town.

Given its turbulent history, including French military operations and encampments during the Peninsula War, there are very few remains of the incredible past of Oliva de la Frontera. Some places of interest include the San Marcos parish church, the San Pedro chapel and the Nuestra Señora Virgen de Gracia chapel.

Oliva de la Frontera has its own Fiesta of Tourist Interest in Extremadura, with a living passion acted out every Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.