Olive Milling

Category: Civil Architecture > Millhouse

District: Portalegre > Gavião > Belver > Bairro Tropa

Location

The Olive Mill is located in the town of Belver, a point of interest in the municipality of Gavião, belonging to the district of Portalegre. Situated specifically in Bairro Tropa, its presence fits into the Alentejo landscape, characterized by extensive olive groves and a strong agricultural tradition. Its location in Belver, a village marked by its history and proximity to the Tagus River, gives it a context that connects rural daily life with the natural and scenic richness of the region. This building stands as a testament to the economic activity that has shaped the lives of the local community over the centuries.

History and Craft

The Olive Mill is an echo of the agricultural past of Belver and the Alto Alentejo region. This place played a central role in the economy and daily life of the communities, being the point of convergence to which the olive harvests were transported. Here, the transformation process, from the grinding of the fruits to the separation of the olive oil, was a laborious and essential activity. The annual olive cycle dictated the rhythms of work, uniting generations around a craft that ensured one of the most precious goods of the Mediterranean diet.

Architecture and Process

The structure of the Olive Mill reflects its function, featuring robust and practical construction, common to rural and industrial architecture of the time. Although specific details may vary, it is expected to find traces of the various stages of olive processing, from the reception and storage area, through the elements that allowed for grinding (such as stone móis, for example) to the lagares where the paste was pressed. The engineering behind these mills was simple but effective, designed to optimize the extraction of 'liquid gold,' olive oil, which for centuries was a pillar of the local economy.

Heritage and Identity

More than just a building, the Olive Mill constitutes an important element of Belver's heritage, witnessing the techniques and knowledge of past generations. It symbolizes the resilience and inventiveness of rural communities in drawing sustenance from the land, and represents a tangible link to the agricultural identity of Alentejo. Visiting this site allows one to understand not only an ancient production process but also the life and culture that were woven around the production of olive oil, an emblematic product of the region and Portuguese gastronomy.

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