SERRABLO CHURCHES

LOCATION

• Locality: Oliván
• Where: Village centre
• How to get there: From the A-136, take the turn-off for Oliván.
• Signposting: There is a signpost at the turn-off on the road and on the approach to the village.
• Spatial orientation: Village centre

The locality of Oliván, a small village with some very interesting architecture and which is situated on a hillside with magnificent views over the River Gállego valley, is home to the pretty Church of Saint Martin (11^th/12^th Century).The location of the Church, which is very representative of the Serrablo Churches, makes it particularly special.

It is unusual because it has two naves, although the second was added later (17^th Century).

The original building had a single nave, with an east-facing semi-circular apse covered by a semi dome. The outside of the Church is decorated with a frieze of columns, seven wall arches and three semi-circular windows. During the 17^th Century a second, narrower, nave was built on the south side where the original portal was situated, and a large archway was constructed to join the two naves.

The bell tower follows the model of the other Serrablo Churches. However, the openings were reconstructed in order to house church bells.

The Church has been declared a Property of Cultural Interest (and a Historic/Artistic Monument since 1982).