Art, history, volcanoes, Carline Wars — there are many elements that define Olot,
Olot is a city that, despite over 1000 years of history, conserves almost nothing of its past due to the terrible earthquakes in 1427 and 1428 that all but destroyed the city. We walk through the old and new cities, climb the volcano of Montsacopa and explore the landscapes of La Moixina frequented by the Olot School of Landscape Art, and then visit some of the city’s most notable buildings including the Museum of Saints, whose long tradition of manufacture of religious icons has made Olot famous throughout the world.
Volcanoes, crafts and art and landscape. There is probably no better way of learning about and understanding the natural environment, the society, the culture and the tradition of Olot than through its museums.
In Espai Cràter you will find a fully interactive exhibition, with excellent content on the volcanoes of La Garrotxa.
At Parc Nou you can visit the Jardí Botànic de Vegetació Natural Olotina (Botanical Garden of Olot Plantlife) and the common oak grove, some examples of which are over 250 years old.
The Museu dels Sants (Saints Museum) provides an insight into this odd industry that is so characteristic of Olot. Inside you will enter a busy workshop with craftspeople modelling, polishing, painting and decorating the figures with the same handcrafted technique that has been used since time immemorial.
The landscaping of Joaquim and Marian Vayreda and Josep Berga i Boix, the sculptures of Josep Clarà, Miquel Blay or La càrrega by Ramon Casas are just a small example of what can be seen at the Museu de la Garrotxa (La Garrotxa Museum). Do not miss a visit to the Casa-Museu Can Trincheria (Can Trincheria House-Museum) to learn how a well-to-do family from Olot lived in the 18th and 19th century. A real gem with free entry that is open all day.
Large-format theatre, unconventional plays on Thursdays at the LAP, family activities, music concerts of all types (classical, traditional, rock, pop or the Olot Jazz cycle that brings internationally famous bands to the city every year), circus, dance, temporary exhibitions on different subject matters, and talks on science, history, arts, etc. Olot Cultura offers an extensive programme each year, with proposals designed for all audiences.
Do not miss the city’s main cultural events: ElMini, pocket-sized music festival (March); MOT, literature festival (March-April); Sismògraf, dance festival (April); Cornamusam (May); Circ a la plaça - Circus on the Square (July); Música al Parc - Music in the Park (July and August); Lluèrnia (November); El Petit Format theatre fair (November); El Més Petit de Tots (November); Nativity Scene exhibition (December), etc.
Whether it is winter, spring, summer or autumn, the range of cultural activities in Olot remains intense, varied and top class.
Visit the website olotcultura.cat to consult the entire agenda of cultural activities in the city and the temporary exhibitions that are on display at any given time.
Take note
- The interactive exhibition on volcanism in the Crater Space.
- The emblematic figures made in the city’s saints’ workshop and that can be seen at the Saints Museum.
- The collection of avant-garde Cigarrillos París posters in the La Garrotxa Museum.
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