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XV century olive oil mill
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The mill is situated in a small and typical Andalusian village of the Lecrin Valley at the foot of Sierra Nevada (the name of the superb « ‘white with snow’ mountain »)…
During the visit of this magnificent XV century oil mill (from the « Nazari » times), beautifully preserved and unique in its kind, you will discover two of the traditional olive oil extraction processes.
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You will see how the animal powered mill and the hydraulic mill with their huge mill stones used to crush the olives until obtaining a smooth paste. |
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This paste was then spread on the pressing mats of the first impressive press made of an almost 12 metres long wooden beam, still in perfect state. The oil went directly into big jars buried underground where the slow natural decanting process took place, that is to say, the separation of oil and vegetable water. The best olive oil was obtained: the first cold press! |
In the second press, identical to the first one, the second pressing used to take place, but this time with hot water. The obtained oil was then used to make soaps or for lighting. |
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You will also see beautiful ceramic jars in which the olive oil was preserved. And you will learn all about the traditional ways of preserving and consuming olive oil, still relevant nowadays. |
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