The museum showcases the culture and technology of olive oil production that is inextricably linked with the Greek and Mediterranean identity. The museum is a trek through time, showing the importance of olive oil in antiquity through to modern times. The tour begins with the earliest findings that show that olive trees existed in Greece dozens of thousands years ago and there are rare fossil olive trees around 50-60,000 years old from Thera (Santorini) to prove it. Texts refering to olives date back to the 14th century BC.

The museum shows how olive oil production has changed through time. Emphasis is cast on the revival of the powered olive oil presses using large working models.

A large part of the display is linked to soap-making and how olive based soap is produced.

The museum is closed every Tuesday and on public holidays. Opening hours are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. from March 1 to october 15 and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from October 16 through to February 28. Tickets are at three euros (1.5 euros reduced). It is located at 129 Othonos-Amalias St. in Sparta. Telephone 27310 89315.

CLICK HERE to visit the museum’s site.