Monasterio El Olivar, Estercuel

Check in: 13:00 (1:00pm) - 20:00 (8:00pm) (arrivals may be allowed outside this window if your travel plans can't be adjusted however this is subject to availability)

Check out: 09:00 (9:00am) - 12:00 (12:00pm)

History

Around 1256, the shepherd Pedro Novés miraculously found the image of the Virgin of Olivet. In 1260 Don Gil de Atrosillo gave the place to the Mercedarians to build a small sanctuary and a monastery, the Monastery of Santa María de El Olivar. Over the centuries the current buildings were built and the importance of the sanctuary as the spiritual centre of the area was consolidated, as evidenced by the Spring pilgrimages.

Famous people from the area are Friar Juan del Olivar, Jaime Llorens de la Mata, Juan Cebrián and the writer Tirso de Molina, who wrote here "The lovers of Teruel". In the 20th century, the activity of the area was reduced to agriculture and mining, at the crossroads of exciting regions such as the Maestrazgo, Lower Aragon or the Sierra de Arcos, forming an area of little population and much nature. The Monastery has suffered the attacks of the War of Independence, the disentailment (1835-1878) and the Civil War (1936-1939). In 1986 the current phase of restoration began, which restored the building to its former glory and functionality. The small community of the friars of the Order of Mercy is currently dedicated to the hospice, the olive and almond fields, and the pastoral work of the small neighbouring villages.

Food & beverage

Breakfast, with homemade jams and toast, is included in the price of the accommodation. Lunches and dinners (optional with prior reservation) are held in the monastic refectory, with natural seasonal and local products, according to monastic recipes and in a unique menu.

There is an option to request a vegetarian menu or to indicate food intolerances. There is a coffee machine and a pilgrims' hall which can be opened on request for simple meals.

There are some bars in the villages nearby.

Grounds & Gardens

Outside there are immense natural spaces: cereal fields, olive groves, forests and hills. Nearby is the Estercuel river with a small waterfall and corners for reflection. You can visit the orchard, the medieval fridge, the shepherd's chapel or the transept.

A few kilometres away are the cross of the martyrs, the Tormagal and the Moncoscol. The more determined hikers can venture for hours into the solitary valley of the Codoñera to the Visigothic tombs and the Alloza reservoir.

If you use your vehicle, you can access the Cultural Park of the Martín River, the source of the Pitarque River, the Valloré Straits and many other places to hike and visit, always in sparsely populated areas.

Other facilities

The rooms are completely restored and offer austere but comfortable accommodation: all with their own bathroom, heating, table and lamp for reading or writing. In the rooms you will not find a TV, a stereo or a mini bar.

The access to Internet is through Wifi (in common areas and in some rooms), with a not too powerful connection.

In the common rooms you can find valuable books on spirituality, history of the place, information on activities and a TV in one of the rooms. The "pilgrim's room" has a coffee machine, a small bar on demand and a magnificent fireplace to accompany the winter evenings.

The garden of the square has benches to rest or read in the appropriate climate, and you can order tables and chairs for family meetings or groups under the trees.

During the COVID Stage the safety protocols requires a reduction of the equipment and decoration of the rooms to ensure that everything you find has been properly cleaned and disinfected. You will also find some fenced areas that can only be used on demand by a single group. You will also find instructions to ensure that the behaviour of each one takes care of the safety of all.