Església-Convent de la Mare de Déu del Rebollet

The Església-Convent de la Mare de Déu del Rebollet, on Plaça Joan Baptista Escribà in Oliva, is the oldest religious building in the town. This former Franciscan convent, built in a late Renaissance style, houses a Marian image regarded as the oldest in the Valencian Community, dated to between the late 12th and early 13th centuries.

History

The venerated carving is linked to the knights of the Reconquest and to the long-vanished castle of Oliva, which makes it an exceptional witness to the earliest centuries of Marian devotion in these lands. Over time the image came to be kept in this convent, which today remains one of the most historically charged places of worship in the whole Safor region.

What to see

Inside you will find several noteworthy artistic features, most of them from the 18th century:

• Several altarpieces decorating its chapels.
• A ceramic dado from Manises, a reflection of the Valencian tile-making tradition.
• The finely worked casing of the organ.

Tips for your visit

• Pair it with a walk through the old town of Oliva and the climb up to Santa Anna castle.
• Check service times with the parish, as access is often tied to religious offices.
• Keep quiet if you arrive during a service.