Wine press of Varas

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Castelo Branco > Vila Velha de Ródão > Vila Velha de Ródão

Location:

The Lever Press Olive Mill (Lagar de Varas) is located in Vila Velha de Ródão, on the left bank of the Enxarrique stream, northeast of the Cabeço das Pesqueiras neighbourhood and not far from the Tejo River. Its location, slightly below the level of the public road, is accessed by its own entrance, integrating discreetly into the local urban landscape.

Architecture and Materials:

This building features robust construction, erected with characteristic regional materials: schist and quartzite. Its walls, a testament to traditional building techniques, give the space an authentic and historic atmosphere. The mill is composed of two floors, with the lower floor dedicated to olive oil production systems and the upper floor to the exhibition area.

A Journey into Olive Oil Production:

The Lever Press Olive Mill offers a detailed journey through the various stages of olive oil production, from the oldest methods, which relied on human and animal energy, to hydraulic and mechanical systems. Considered the most complete example in the municipality to document the evolution of olive milling, it allows visitors to observe closely the machinery that has been used throughout history.

On the ground floor, visitors can see the reception, the old furnace room, the storage bins where olives were kept, the animal-powered mill with its adjacent stable, the imposing lever room with its large presses, and the task tank. Complementing the space are a hydraulic mill and a vertical press, as well as a vertical water wheel, illustrating the diversity of technologies employed. On the upper floor, a permanent exhibition titled "Olive Oil: Ródão's Gold" enriches the visit, deepening knowledge about the cultural and economic importance of olive oil in this region.

Stories and Traditions:

By exploring the Lever Press Olive Mill, it is possible to discover stories and curiosities about the traditions linked to olive oil production. For example, the practice known as “the thief” refers to how the mill master could, in the past, retain part of the olive oil by straining the fat from the water resulting from the pressing of the olives. This detail, although not visible on site, is part of the narratives that shaped the functioning of traditional olive mills.

The uniqueness of this space led to its proposed classification as Heritage of Municipal Interest, underlining its importance for the preservation and enhancement of the collection and rich heritage of local olive growing.

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