Casc Antic d'Oliva (Vila Comtal i Raval)

The old town of Oliva sits away from the bustle of the beach: a maze of cobbled slopes, stately houses and quiet corners that still carry the air of the old comital Oliva. Walking its streets costs nothing and takes you back a few centuries.

History

The quarter splits into two parts: the Vila Comtal, linked to the lords who once governed the town, and the Raval, the old Moorish neighbourhood carved into the bedrock itself. That medieval and Moorish heritage shows in the narrow, winding street plan, typical of towns that grew up around a defensive core in the Middle Ages.

What to see

The walk takes in a handful of the town's landmark buildings:

• The Palau dels Centelles, tied to the local nobility, with the bearing of a manor house.
• The church of Santa María, at the centre of the old town.
• The medieval gateways and cobbled slopes that climb towards the upper part of the Moorish quarter.

Tips for your visit

• Wear comfortable shoes: expect slopes and cobblestones.
• The walk is free and works best early in the morning or late afternoon, in soft light.
• You can pair it with a climb up to Castell de Santa Anna and round off the day at Oliva beach.