Olive oil mill 15th century Almazara ¨Las Laerillas¨Nigüelas

Hi everybody! How are you?

My entrance of this week has to be with the place I am working at this moment: an olive oil mil or ¨almazara¨. I will write just a general description of the mill, what you would see if you come. For further details you are all welcomed to see it. I will be still the following three weekends there.

OLIVE OIL MILL OR ALMAZARA ¨LAS LAERILLAS¨ -NIGÜELAS-
It is an olive oil mill which was built by the Arabs in the 15th century. It was working till 1.920, so not too much time ago! Then it was closed and opened again in 1.991 by Nigüelas´ Town Hall initiative. The good thing is that has been preserved through the years in a very good condition. It is said to be one of the best preservative olive oil mills from that period in Andalucía, probably in the whole Spain.

You can see there how a cooperative works. From the moment the olives are brought from the olive trees, till the oil is produced.

There are two mills to crushed the olives:
1. A mill of blood: called this way because of its roman origin.
2. An hydraulic mill: powered by water.

And also two long beams made of wooden (12 meters each one) built to press the mass in order to obtain the olive oil after crushing the olives previously.
I will explain also the differences between ¨cold and hot press¨ which has to be with the oil quality and its uses. And how workers organized their lifes during the harvesting season.

And of course much more information. It is a very fascinating place where you can feel the history on the walls!

If you want to see picture please enter Nigüelas´ town hall web site-

Enjoy it!
Rocío Martín