Olive museum

Opened in 1992, at the historic headquarters of Fratelli Carli of Imperia Oneglia, one of the main olive groves of the Riviera, the museum illustrates the history of the olive tree, which for centuries has been the main resource of the local economy and whose presence still characterizes landscape of the Ponente Riviera. The exhibition brings together the materials gathered by the Carli family in nearly a century of research from a primitive core of lighting and power tools, made up of precious silver lumens and silver oils. 18 sections recall six thousand years of olive history in the Mediterranean basin considered in its mythical, symbolic, historical, economic, botanical, cultural, technological, and commercial aspects. Documents, archeological finds, measurements and weight systems, tools and systems are displayed on their technical evolution. Very well cared for? the fitting that integrates the finds with environmental reconstructions and deepens the subject from an interdisciplinary point of view, linked to the uses of derivative products (food, medicine, cosmetics, art). Particularly impressive is the reconstruction of an animal traction crusher and the hold of a Roman ship with its load of oleaginas. In the garden of the museum, between centuries-old olive trees, presses and jars from various countries offer a concise overview of oil production and preservation systems in the Mediterranean area. In 1993, the museum set up by the Zurighian studio of Hans Woodtli won the European Prize 'Museum of the Year'.

beniculturali.it source