If you don’t know what to do in Olot and you want to discover this municipality, from COOLTUR Cultural Tourism we recommend you to visit the Church of Mare de Déu del Tura of Olot!
Olot is a Catalan gem steeped in history, culture and heritage. Located in the heart of the Garrotxa region, this charming municipality captivates visitors with the heritage gems it preserves. The old town, with its narrow streets and picturesque squares, invites you to stroll around and discover the charm of every corner.
Olot is a destination that combines historical, heritage and cultural richness with natural beauty. From discovering its ancient streets to exploring the volcanic geology that surrounds it, Olot offers a unique and unforgettable experience for all visitors. Don’t hesitate any longer and visit Olot, you won’t be left indifferent!
Church of Mare de Déu del Tura of Olot
The church of Mare de Déu del Tura is a church located between Tura Street, Valls Nous Street and Proa Street. This building is located in the town centre of Olot.
The first documentary mention of the church of Mare de Déu del Tura dates back to the year 872, which is why there are no remains of this ancient building. The current church of Mare de Déu del Tura was built by Francesc Mas between the 17th and 18th centuries. The interior of the church was reformed by Joan Carles Panyó between 1790 and 1814 and the façade was finished by J. Danés in 1928.
The church of Mare de Déu del Tura is the protagonist of Olot’s most famous festivities, the Tura festivities!
On the main façade we can see the entrance door, which has a coat of arms on the lintel. This door is flanked by two pilasters with Corinthian capitals. Above the door is a rose window flanked by two niches with figures. The entrance door is flanked by two towers with a niche.
On one side of the church of Mare de Déu del Tura, which faces Proa Street, there is a blinded entrance door. In the middle is a keystone with a representation of the Virgin Mary and Child.
The church was restored in 1943 by the architect Joan Aubert Camps. This restoration served to repair the damage that the church suffered during the Spanish Civil War. Despite the damage, the interior of the church of Mare de Déu del Tura preserves various works of art. These works are:
- Romanesque carving of the Virgin of Tura
- Baroque sculpture of the Ecce Homo, made in 1782 by Ramon Amadeu.
- Mural paintings from the 19th century
- Altarpiece of the High Altar, from the 19th century, by J. Carles Panyó.
Legend of the name of the Virgin of Tura
A legend has been preserved about the origins of the name of the Tura. According to the legend, there was a bull that, during the 15th century, used to go every day to scratch the ground next to Mas Caritat.
After some time of such strange behaviour, the owner of the bull dug a hole in the place where the bull scratched the ground. Out of the hole came the image of the Virgin of Tura.
Apparently, Tura, in old Catalan, means bull. So the Virgin of Tura actually means Virgin of the Bull.
(Cover image: Church of Mare de Déu del Tura of Olot Photo: COOLTUR Cultural Tourism)
How to get to Olot
Olot is a municipality located in the region of La Garrotxa. To get to Olot you can use the N-260, A-26 and C-152 roads, among others.
You can also reach this municipality by public transport. In this case, we recommend that you check the public transport timetables before setting off on your journey!