The old oil-press of via Populonia in Massa Marittima, which dates back to the late 18th century, will happily surprise its visitors as a testimony to a rich and multi-faceted farming heritage long forgotten.
In the heart of this medieval town, visitors can make a stop at this place that has remained unspoiled thanks to the work of many generations.
The activity of olive-oil production and sale of related agricultural products ended around the middle of the last century.
The old oil-press of via Populonia is a remarkable historic-technological complex for its complete functioning apparatus.
The old oil-press is impressive for the grandiose complexity of its big driving wheel. Its axle is connected to a long lever, to which a mule was attached. One turn of the animal corrisponded to four turnings of the granite grindstone, thanks to an amplification mechanism consisting of four heavy rung wheels (the project of which was first outlined by Leonardo da Vinci).
The olive paste was put into so-called “bruscole”, a kind of bags hanging under the press, which was man-powered. The products of the oil-press were virgin olive-oil, oil from olive pressings and the so-called “fondata”, which was used as a fuel for oil lamps.
Thanks to the generosity of its long-time owners, the oil-press has been open to visitors since 1990.