Traditional Rod Press of Cabreira

Category: Civil Architecture > Olive Press

District: Coimbra > Góis > Cabreira > Cadafaz e Colmeal

Location

The Traditional Lagar de Varas da Cabreira is deeply rooted in the picturesque locality of Cabreira, a serene village integrated into the Union of Freguesias of Cadafaz and Colmeal, in the municipality of Góis, district of Coimbra. Its position is situated within a characteristic rural environment of Central Portugal, surrounded by rolling landscapes and dense vegetation, typical of the slopes that foreshadow the region's mountains. The village of Cabreira, in itself, offers a glimpse of traditional life, with its schist houses and the tranquility emanating from close contact with nature.

Memory of Olive Oil Production

This oil mill represents a valuable testimony to ancient olive oil extraction techniques, a fundamental agricultural practice for the subsistence of Portuguese rural communities. The "de varas" (by poles) typology refers to the ingenious pressing system that used long wooden beams, the "varas", operated by weights or counterweights, which applied the necessary force to squeeze the already milled olives. This slow and laborious methodology reflects a period when local production was the basis of the family economy, giving the oil mill a strong historical and cultural character linked to the olive oil cycle.

Architecture and Functionality

The structure of the Lagar Tradicional de Varas da Cabreira is an example of functional vernacular architecture. The building, constructed with local materials such as stone, is designed to house the entire process of transforming olives into olive oil. Inside, one can observe the essential elements that comprised a traditional oil mill: the millstone, a large circular stone used to crush the olives, and the "varas" pressing system, where the paste resulting from milling was subjected to pressure to extract the precious liquid. Its layout reflects the logic of a continuous process, from the arrival of the olives to the storage of the oil.

Heritage and Tradition

The Lagar de Varas da Cabreira is more than a physical structure; it is a symbol of the cultural heritage and agrarian traditions of the region. Its preservation allows for an understanding of the way of life and ingenuity of ancestors, who depended directly on the land's resources for their sustenance. By visiting this place, visitors are invited to reflect on the evolution of agricultural techniques and the importance of safeguarding these living memories, which connect us to a past of hard work, community sharing, and a deep connection with the natural landscape.

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