Olive press

Category: Culture and Entertainment > Tourist Attraction

District: Castelo Branco > Belmonte > Malpique

Location

This ancient Olive Press is situated in the village of Belmonte, in the municipality of the same name. Integrated into the locality of Malpique, in a place known as Sítio do Chafariz Pequeno, it is found in an area that still reflects the region's connection to olive oil production. On its exterior, there is an area where an olive grove is preserved, inviting an experience that links the space to its rural origins.

History and Its New Life

The Malpique Olive Press, built in 1946 by José Fonseca Ferraz, played a central role in the local economy for decades. It served the small farmers of Belmonte, who brought their olives here to be ground, paying for the service with a portion of the olive oil produced, a system known as "maquia".

This space remained in operation until 1995, when changes in production standards led to its closure. In 1991, the municipality of Belmonte acquired the building, and after rehabilitation work completed in 2005, the old olive press was preserved, transforming into a place where the legacy of olive oil production in the region is explored.

The Journey from Olive to Oil

By exploring the interior of the Olive Press, one discovers the traditional process of olive oil extraction, as it was practiced between the 1950s and 1990s. It began with the depositing of olives in large containers called tulhas. From there, the fruits were sent for grinding, where the galgas, heavy circular stones, transformed them into a homogeneous paste.

This paste then went to a thermobrush, where it was gently heated to facilitate the separation of the oil. Subsequently, it was poured into wagons and transferred to the presses, which exerted the necessary force to extract the precious liquid. Finally, a centrifuge separated the oil from the water, resulting in the "liquid gold". Most of this machinery, colored blue, was supplied by Metalúrgica Duarte Ferreira, an icon of 20th-century Portuguese industry.

Cultural and Symbolic Importance

Olive oil has a deep connection with the history and identity of Belmonte. Since its introduction to the Iberian Peninsula by the Romans, the cultivation of olive trees and the production of olive oil have taken on a central role, both economically and symbolically.

The relevance of this "liquid gold" is evident in various elements of the village, such as the coats of arms of old families that display presses on the facades of buildings. This iconography, according to popular wisdom, is linked to acts of historical loyalty, such as the legend of Fernão Cabral, father of the navigator Pedro Álvares Cabral. The very coat of arms of the Parish of Belmonte, adorned with a press and two gold olive branches, underscores the prominent place of olive oil in local life and tradition.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt