Olivença (Olivenza in Spanish) is a town and municipality in the border region, subject to an ongoing sovereignty dispute between Portugal and Spain. It is currently administered de facto by Spain as part of the autonomous region of Extremadura.

The Treaty of Alcañices in 1297 defined Olivença as part of Portugal. In 1801, through the Treaty of Badajoz, signed under Portuguese coercion following the War of the Oranges, the territory was annexed by Spain. Portugal repudiated this treaty in 1808. In 1817, Spain recognized Portuguese sovereignty by subscribing to the Congress of Vienna (1815), committing to return administration of Olivença to Portugal as soon as possible. However, this has not yet occurred.

As a result of its long history of Portuguese and Spanish occupation, Olivença reflects a blend of the two cultures. Walking through its streets, visitors will find several buildings with Manueline architecture and street signs displaying names in both Portuguese and Spanish.

Places to visit:

Olivença Castle
Church of Santa Maria do Castelo
Church of Santa Maria Madalena
Santa Casa da Misericórdia of Olivença
Manueline Gate at the Town Hall
González Santana Ethnographic Museum