Olesa Organ

A magnificent symphonic instrument of romantic design, located in the Olesa’s Santa Maria parish church. Built by Joan Carles Castro, it is a work of extraordinary craftsmanship, with 1,813 pipes, 33 different stops, two manual keyboards and one pedalboard, with five bellows. The body of the organ is made of solid cedar. Its meticulous, stylized design, along with its solemn sound, make the Olesa organ, according to experts, one of the most important of its kind in Catalonia.

It was inaugurated on June 8, 2008, thanks to the tireless efforts of the Amics de l’Orgue i de les Arts association to bring a pipe organ back to the town after the previous one was destroyed in a fire during the Spanish Civil War. The new pipe organ has been financed with bank loans guaranteed personally by various members of the association board, which are being paid off gradually with contributions from association members, donations from businesses and individuals, and the occasional government subsidy.

The association held the Apadrina un tub del nou orgue d’Olesa (“Sponsor a Pipe for the New Olesa Organ”) campaign, which received a great response. Sponsors were thanked for their support with a diploma certifying their contribution.

The Olesa organ is a new source of local culture and identity for the municipality, a combination of the idea and the dream of giving a work of art to present and future generations. It is an instrument that enhances both liturgical ceremonies and cultural events, such as the “Primavera Musical” spring music series, with top-quality concerts from March to June.