Olive Oil Museum

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Portalegre > Marvão > Marvão > Centro Histórico

Location

The Olive Oil Museum is located within the Historic Centre of the picturesque village of Marvão. Situated atop a hill, this urban core is known for its narrow streets and traditional architecture, characteristics that shape the atmosphere surrounding the museum. Its location in the heart of the village allows for an immersive experience in local history, with the museum harmoniously integrated into the medieval and Alentejan setting.

The Legacy of Liquid Gold

Dedicated to the rich history and traditional process of olive oil production, the Olive Oil Museum offers an in-depth perspective on this ancient practice. Visitors can discover the methods and tools that, over the centuries, allowed the transformation of olives into "liquid gold". The museum preserves and exhibits authentic mechanisms, some dating back to 1953, which illustrate the techniques used in old olive mills, highlighting the ingenuity and labour associated with this production.

From the Olive Tree to the Olive Mill

The journey at the Olive Oil Museum traces the complete path of olive oil, from the tree to the final product. It is possible to understand the importance of traditional olive groves and, in particular, of the oliveira galega, an autochthonous variety fundamental to Marvão's landscape and culture. The exhibition addresses the practice of dryland olive groves and the different stages of olive harvesting, complementing the visit to the old olive mill where the olive oil extraction process is explained. This space allows visitors to understand the deep connection between the land, tradition, and the region's gastronomy.

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