Tradition mentions a Marian sanctuary, preceding the monastery, which would have originated in the Visigoth period. This would have been lost during the Islamic occupation, but once the place was recovered and after the discovery of the image of the Virgin thanks to a shepherd, Pedro Novés, worship was restored, and the sanctuary was rebuilt.
Years later, Gil de Atrosillo, lord of the place, approached the Order of Mercy offering them the sanctuary to establish a new monastery there. In 1258, when the first Mercedarians arrived, the promoter gave them the hermitage, land and other assets, and they settled there. Gil de Atrosillo's successors followed his initiative, protecting the monastery. In time, a larger church was rebuilt, and new convent spaces were created. During the 16th and 17th centuries, the whole complex was rebuilt and became the monastery that still stands today, although with modifications.
After a period of decadence, and already in the 19th century, it suffered the struggles of the French occupation during the Peninsular War. The Mercedarians were able to return in 1814, finding the convent the victim of looting. Later, it was abandoned again following the disentailment (1836) and passed into private hands. In 1878 it was recovered as a monastery after the owners ceded the site to the Mercedarian order, and in 1881 it became a novitiate, at the same time as work began on the restoration of the church, cloister and other outbuildings. It still suffered the consequences of the Spanish Civil War (1936) with more destructive episodes and abandonment. Once it was recovered, further restoration work was carried out, and the monastery has now converted part of the building into a guesthouse.
Churh
Churh
Churh
Church buttresses
Mudéjar buttress
Mercedarian coat of arms
Cloister
Cloister
Cloister
Chapter house
Refectory
Sacristy cupboard (17th century)
Saint Peter Nolasco
Gosos of the Virgin of the Olivar
Biblioteca Nacional de España
- COMUNIDAD DE SANTA MARÍA DE EL OLIVAR (2000). Monasterio de Santa María de El Olivar. Estercuel: Monasterio de Santa María de El Olivar
- INSTITUTO HISTÓRICO (1997). La orden de Santa Maria de la Merced (1218-1992). Roma. Instituto Histórico de la Orden de la Merced
- MILLÁN, Fr. Joaquín (1997). Santa María de El Olivar. Santuario, monasterio, corazón de su comarca. Provincia Mercedaria de Aragón
The monastery is in the municipality of Estercuel, north of the town