This Catalan town at the foot of Montserrat mountain has produced olive oil since Roman times and stages Spain's oldest Passion Play, performed since 1538.
Olesa de Montserrat lies in Catalonia’s Baix Llobregat region, 20 kilometers northwest of Barcelona and 15 kilometers south of Montserrat Monastery. The town produces olive oil at Molà d’Oli, using trees grown on terraced hillsides. You’ll see the Torre del Relotge, a 14th-century clock tower that still marks time in the old town center, and the stone walls of Sant Pere Sacama Monastery, built by monks in 960 AD. Every spring, locals perform La Passió d’Olesa, a theatrical reenactment of the Passion of Christ that began in 1538. Walk the Cami de Sant Jaume pilgrimage path through Ribes Blaves canyon, where exposed rock layers reveal 50 million years of geological history.
La Passió d’Olesa: Easter Performances With 500 Years of History
Every spring, Olesa de Montserrat stages one of Europe’s oldest Passion plays using scripts first recorded in 1538. Over 400 local volunteers act in the production, wearing hand-stitched costumes inspired by Renaissance paintings. The modern auditorium was built for this event. It combines traditional storytelling with modern technology like rotating stages and digital projections. Check the town’s website for performance dates, which change yearly based on Easter. Tickets cost €15-25 and often sell out two months in advance.
Walking Through Medieval and Romanesque Sites
Begin at the Torre del Relotge, a square stone tower with an iron bell that rings hourly. Walk five minutes north to Sant Pere Sacama Monastery, where you’ll find 10th-century arches and a chapel with faded frescoes. For solitude, take the marked trail southeast to Sant Salvador de les Espases chapel. The three-kilometer path winds through thick holm oak forests. Local stories say the chapel’s name (“Saint Savior of the Swords”) comes from knights who hid weapons here during 13th-century conflicts. All sites are free to visit, but the monastery only opens for guided tours on weekends.
Hiking Routes: Pilgrim Paths and Canyon Trails
Follow the Cami de Sant Jaume pilgrimage route from Olesa to Montserrat Monastery, an 18-kilometer hike with steep sections. You’ll pass olive groves, pine woods, and sandstone cliffs before reaching Montserrat’s jagged peaks. For a shorter walk, start at Restaurant La Granja de Vacarisses and complete the 7-kilometer loop to Sant Salvador de les Espases. This trail crosses Ribes Blaves canyon, where erosion has carved vertical stripes into the rock walls. Download trail maps from the town’s tourism office or pick up printed versions at the bus station.
Guided Nature Walks and Seasonal Events
Olesa’s environmental guides lead free walks every Saturday morning. Topics include identifying edible plants like wild asparagus or learning how medieval farmers irrigated crops. On World Water Day (March 22), volunteers plant carob trees near hiking trails. During European Mobility Week (September), the town organizes bike repair workshops and group rides. These events require signing up at the cultural center or online. Most routes stay under 5 kilometers, with stops to explain local geology or abandoned textile factories.
Olive Oil Tasting and Catalan Dishes
Tour Molà d’Oli mill to watch workers cold-press olives using granite wheels and hydraulic presses. Sample oils made from arbequina olives, which have a fruity taste, and morrut olives, known for their peppery finish. Buy bottles directly from the mill or at the Wednesday market in Plaça Major. Many restaurants serve pa amb tomà quet (bread with tomato) drizzled with local oil. Try Esglaià Restaurant for escudella (meat stew) or Cal Dimoni for crema catalana topped with caramelized sugar.
Getting There and Preparing for Your Trip
Take the LĂnia 7 bus from Barcelona’s Plaça d’Espanya station to Olesa’s Plaça de Fèlix Figueras i Aragay (50-minute ride). Drivers follow C-55 north from Martorell, watching for brown signs to “Olesa Centre.” Wear hiking boots with ankle support—trails have loose stones and uneven steps. Between October and April, carry a rain jacket; sudden storms are common. The town’s route planner tool lets you create custom hiking maps showing water fountains, picnic areas, and bus stops.
