The Romanesque of Oliana

The origins of the town of Oliana —Huliana or Uliana, in the 11th century— are found within the county of Urgell. The village once stood around its castle.

Duration: 1h. Let’s stroll through the Romanesque architecture of Oliana, and as points of interest we recommend Sant Andreu del Castell, Sant Gili d’Eroles, Santa Eulàlia de les Anoves and Sant Jaume de Graell

We’ll set off from the town of Oliana, heading towards la Seu d’Urgell, and not far away, at the foot of the roc de les Hores, we’ll find the remains of the Oliana castle, together with the very well-preserved Romanesque church of Sant Andreu (11th c.). The population lived in the shelter of the castle and the church, a strategic point on the banks of the Segre river, since —together with the old Castell-llebre castle on the other side of the river— it guarded the pass of la Garanta, today better known as the Oliana ravine. Years later, Oliana settled in the place it occupies today, where most of the population is concentrated, with its market gardens stretching out at its feet.

Following the path that crosses el Portell and heads towards the Bàstigues farmstead and les Anoves, we’ll find on the right the Romanesque church of Sant Gili d’Eroles (12th c.). In les Anoves, a land of pine and holm-oak woods, stands the Romanesque church of Santa Eulàlia de les Anoves (12th c.).

Along the route we’ll be able to take in a mountainous, rugged landscape that displays an extraordinary natural beauty, unfolding from the first pre-Pyrenean elevations and the waters of the Oliana reservoir.

Very close to the town of Oliana, heading towards Ponts, we’ll find a turn-off on the left signposted to St. Jaume de Graell, which we’ll follow. The chapel, of modern construction, offers an exceptional panorama: from the remains of the Aguilar de Bassella castle to the church of Sant Andreu del Castell, taking in the crags of Cogul, el Corb, Sant Honorat, Rombau, Turp and les Hores, with the Aubenç range in the background and the town of Oliana and its market gardens in the foreground.