A Guide to the Best Olive Oil Museums in Liguria
Olive tree landscapes have featured among Liguria’s trademarks for more than 5,000 years. Their precious gift, extra virgin olive oil, is the star of the Mediterranean diet and the protagonist of new tourism trends. The Italian Oleoturismo Law was approved in 2020. How can this treasure trove of heroic terraces and dry-stone walls – a blood and sweat masterpiece – be exhibited in a museum? A challenging task, but not in Liguria: the Italian Riviera boasts well-managed theme museums which stand out in the Mediterranean scenario of olive museums. They all provide excellent opportunities to discover the history of extra virgin olive oil in Liguria. No coincidence, the “Carta dei Musei dell’Olivo” (i.e., Olive Museums Charter) was launched in 2017 by the Camera di Commercio delle Riviere di Liguria and by PromImperia – the project has been joined by Italy, Spain, Greece, Tunisia, and Croatia through the museums of Imperia, Mora de Toledo, Sparta, Lesbo, Kesra, and Pula.
Take a Tour Through the Olive Oil Heritage of Liguria
Province of Imperia
The ancient Giobatta Panizzi oil mill in Badalucco displays its
historical millstones, operating at full speed in the fall and winter. In the
other seasons, it is worthwhile a visit to live the history of olive oil from
within.
The oldest museum (it turned 25 last year) is the Museo
dell’olivo (i.e., olive tree museum) of the Fratelli Carli in Imperia
Oneglia, which investigates the Asian origins of the plant, farming practices,
and manufacturing techniques, both modern and ancient.
Lucinasco, in the entroterra of
Imperia, houses a rural “Museo di civiltà contadina” dedicated to
sculptor Lazzaro Acquarone. The museum features the recreation of an oil mill
(effectively narrating the cycle of olive oil) and a variety of farming tools
once used in processing milk and chestnuts (the ancient staple food of Ligurian
inner areas).
Province of Savona
The historical centre of Albenga hosts the Sommariva family museum - “La
civiltà dell’Olivo” (i.e., olive civilization/culture), equipped with
ancient stone olive mill and farming tools, as well as period paintings and
photographs. The museum is also the seat of art exhibitions and events – a
fertile mix of past and present.
The village of Arnasco (a few kilometres from Albenga) treasures a
small, complete (more than 500 pieces) regional museum dedicated to olive trees
and farming. A second open-air museum celebrates the history and techniques of
dry-stone walls.
The borgo of Toirano, renowned for its caves, presents the 18 sections
of the Museo etnografico della Valle Varatella, a must of the Ligurian cultural
offer. Adequate space focuses on olive oil, olive growing (the Val Varatella
was one of the first areas where Benedictine monks focused on farming around
the 13th century), and its tools.
Province of Genoa
Close to Genoa, in the hills towards the la Val Polcevera, a splendid
villa dominating the Superba houses the Museo di Storia e Cultura Contadina:
this celebration of rural life and farming shows attention to olive farming,
too.
The Museo di Civiltà contadina in Rapallo provides
the rarity of 17th-century equipment, complete with tools and other machinery.
Province of La Spezia
The Museo Etnografico in Ortonovo is interestingly
located inside a 16th-century frantoio (oil mill) and shows
details about olive oil, wine, and flour production.
My English abstract of this article was
published on LiguriaFood
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