Oles offers several specific starting points for an exploration: Romanesque churches, the history of jet mining, the Ruta de los Molinos and dinosaur footprints on the cliffs. The Mercáu Tradicional de Oles, held in the first half of August, adds a clearly defined seasonal highlight. If you are looking for a holiday rental, these themes can help guide your choice of Oles and the focus of your trip: church architecture and cultural heritage, a route along the river, or a stay centred around craft demonstrations.

Romanesque Churches with Distinctive Features

The Church of Santa Eulalia de La Lloraza is in the parish of Oles, in Villaviciosa, and has been designated a Bien de Interés Cultural (BIC) since 1960. It is Romanesque, with a rectangular floor plan and a square apse. The main portal features a rich sculptural repertoire. The floor plan, apse and portal offer different architectural points of interest; its BIC status also reflects the church's recognised heritage significance.

The Iglesia de San Félix de Oles has a rectangular nave and a square-ended chancel. The exterior retains elements from the original construction phase, including two portals facing south and west. Inside is a Romanesque triumphal arch with two pointed archivolts. Archivolts are the arch rings that frame a triumphal arch. This brings different details to the fore when comparing the churches: at Santa Eulalia, the square apse and sculpted main portal; at San Félix, the orientation of the portals and the arch inside.

River Route and Traces of Earth's History

The Ruta de los Molinos runs alongside the Río Rimera through a forest of chestnut, oak and birch trees. The route includes four old watermills. The river, woodland and mills give it a clearly recognisable character: alongside the landscape, historic structures are also part of the experience. This offers a different focus from the churches, where the architecture of individual buildings takes centre stage.

At the cliffs of Oles, the focus shifts to Earth's history. A report by the regional government dated 18 July 2025 mentions numerous dinosaur footprints found there in previous years. The cliffs are also a stop on the Costa de los Dinosaurios route. Those interested in this themed route can also explore Oles through its connection to dinosaur discoveries, alongside the local churches and river landscape.

Jet and Craftsmanship Throughout the Year

The Oles jet deposit, particularly the La Cimera mine, was the last site to be worked. The spoil heaps at the deposit continue to serve as a source of material. The history of jet therefore encompasses both the specific connection to the La Cimera mine and the continued use of the spoil heaps as a source of material. This theme differs from the church architecture and the landscape of the Ruta de los Molinos: here, the focus is on a raw material and its extraction.

The Mercáu Tradicional de Oles offers a different way to explore materials. Craftwork and techniques involving jet, wood, clay and ceramics are demonstrated there. The market is a long-standing summer tradition and takes place in the first half of August. If you would like to plan your trip around the Mercáu, check the specific dates for the year in question. This lets you take this seasonal event into account when choosing your travel dates, while the churches, route and history of jet offer other distinct themes for a trip to Oles.

Discover more destinations: Melendreros, La Isla.

See the wider travel guide: Comarca De La Sidra.