The
House of the Olive - 'Oleastro'
'The House of the Olive - Oleastro' seeks to promote the
'civilization of the olive tree' in an environmentally friendly
way.
Ideally situated half way between Pafos and Limassol, gazing the
pick of Troodos mountain to the north and overlooking the Episkopi
bay to the south, the House of the Olive - 'Oleastro' is 3 km past
the picturesque village of Anogyra, famous for its unspoiled
traditional character. Standing alone on the hill of 'Mosfilovounos',
amidst the olive trees in the organic olive grove Oleastro, the
building is in full harmony with its environment. Its stonewalls,
wooden balconies and tiled roofs transport visitors to a village
of yesteryear.
The House of the Olive - 'Oleastro' is unique as it consists of an
olive oil museum, a gift shop specializing in olive products, a
visitors' center (a cozy coffee shop and a library), and a
state-of-the-art ecological olive mill.
Entering the building, a warm welcome awaits visitors and olive
growers followed by a free tour of the mill and the museum, ending
with an olive tasting, courtesy of the house, and a museum guide
leaflet containing information mainly on the history, uses,
symbolism, and importance of the olive tree as well as several
easy recipes.
In the little coffee shop, visitors can rest, enjoy the serenity
of the scenery and the smell of fresh olive oil just being
extracted. They can try our olive tasting while watching the
process of olive oil making (the turning millstones are
particularly fascinating to watch) through the glass partition.
The Olive Oil Museum
The Olive Oil Museum, unique in Cyprus, features olive oil extraction methods of the past (millstone, olive press) and various items related to the storage and uses of the olive oil as well as its history. Illustrated wallboards give a variety of interesting facts, such as wearing wooden shoes to press olives and the role played by the olive oil in the Mediterranean diet for medicinal and cosmetic purposes, as well as on other gifts and uses of the olive tree. Visitors have the opportunity to compare the extraction methods of the past to the modern process of the ecological olive mill.
The Gift Shop
The little gift shop, specializing in olive products, provides a plethora of healthy, environmentally friendly and multiply useful products, ideal for mementos. In addition to the Oleastro products, visitors can find a large collection of cosmetics and beauty products based on olive oil (for the body and hair care), a luxurious series of china in the most elegant olive motifs, local herbs, a variety of books, paintings and cards related to the Cyprus landscape, various olive varieties and
tapenade, table cloths, kitchen utensils and glasses in olive designs and many more.
Events
In its policy for social contribution to the community, 'The House
of the Olive - Oleastro' organizes seminars and events like art
exhibitions, literary and cookery evenings (free of charge) two to
three times a year. Moreover, Lina is frequently invited as a
guest speaker to talk on a variety of issues pertaining to olive
oil.
Organic Olive Grove - 'Oleastro'
The 'koroneiki' variety of olive trees, renowned as one of the
best to gain olive oil out of and very rich in flavor and aroma,
is cultivated with all our love and care without any chemical
products according to EU 2092/91 (for organic farming) in the
serenity of the organic olive grove 'Oleastro'. Being in the
countryside, 3km outside the village, but mainly remote from any
other conventional farming fields, the location is ideal for
organic farming.
A visit to 'the House of the Olive - Oleastro' is a visit to
state-of-the-art Cyprus harmoniously integrated in its thriving
tradition and history.
Open: 7 days a week, 10.00-19.00 all year round, except: Christmas
Day, New Year's Day, and
Easter Sunday (Orthodox Easter).
|
|
