As early as the 15th century, a hermitage dedicated to the Virgin of the Mount of Olives stood on this site. The earliest residents lived in huts built alongside it, next to a small inn that housed sailors and navigators in quarantine.
History & origins
The neighbourhood belongs to the Quatre Carreres district, bordered by the Gran Vía to the north, Penya-Roja to the east, Na Rovella to the south, and Ruzafa and En Corts to the west. Historically, Monteolivete covered a larger area than today's neighbourhood, taking in much of what are now the Na Rovella neighbourhood and the City of Arts and Sciences.
Heritage & architecture
In 1767, with the original hermitage falling into ruin, the clergy of Ruzafa decided to demolish it and build a new one: today's church of Nuestra Señora de Monteolivete, built between 1767 and 1771 in a Neoclassical style. In 1826, monks of the Congregation of Saint Vincent de Paul moved in, before having to abandon it in 1835 due to the Mendizábal disentailment. On the Plaza Monteolivete, the Museu Faller de València (Fallas museum) preserves the ninots indultats, the figures spared from the flames at the Fallas since 1934; it's one of the city's most visited museums.
Church of Nuestra Señora de Monteolivete
Neoclassical · 1767-1771Built to replace the original hermitage.
Museu Faller de València
Fallas museumNinots indultats spared from the flames since 1934.
Monteolivete Bridge
Fireworks siteFeatured on the tourist office's official events calendar.
Close to the City of Arts and Sciences
Gateway neighbourhoodA natural approach to Valencia's cultural complex.
Culture & living traditions
Its position as a gateway between Ruzafa, the centre and the City of Arts and Sciences makes Monteolivete more of a transitional neighbourhood than a destination in its own right. The Fallas museum and the fireworks display at the bridge of the same name are its main cultural landmarks.
Suggested itinerary
Morning · 9am-11am: Church and history
The church of Nuestra Señora de Monteolivete, a walk around the bridge of the same name.
Afternoon · 11am-4pm: Towards the City of Arts
Continue on foot or by bike towards the City of Arts and Sciences, crossing the transitional neighbourhood.
Evening · 4pm onwards: Ruzafa
Head back to Ruzafa for the evening, just a few minutes' walk away.
Suggested itinerary, not field-tested.
Frequently asked questions
Where does the name Monteolivete come from?
From a hermitage dedicated to the Virgin of the Mount of Olives, recorded on this site as early as the 15th century.
When was the current church of Monteolivete built?
Between 1767 and 1771, in a Neoclassical style.
Is Monteolivete close to the City of Arts and Sciences?
Yes, the neighbourhood borders this zone both historically and geographically.
Is Monteolivete close to the beach?
No, the beaches of Malvarrosa and Las Arenas are more than 3.5 km away; the neighbourhood is, however, right next to the Turia Gardens and the City of Arts and Sciences.
What's worth seeing at the Museu Faller de València?
The ninots indultats, the large figures spared from the flames at the Fallas since 1934.
What remains of the original hermitage?
Nothing physically, it was demolished in 1767 to make way for the current church.
