At the foot of the mountains overlooking the city of Ronda, in the province of Malaga, Andalusia, an imposing building, discreet and almost stealthy, in the form of a red monolithic cube with simple and clean lines, houses an astonishing olive oil mill resembling a modern art museum.
Inaugurated just four months ago to pay tribute to the olive tree, the blessed emblem of the Mediterranean, “La Almazara,” which takes its name from the Arabic “al maâssara” (place where one presses), is undoubtedly a work of art where the harmony of nature and the charm of architecture come together perfectly.
Born from the imagination of the famous French architect Philippe Starck, this mill-museum with a minimalist and timeless design features a massive steel bull’s horn and a gigantic eye cast in concrete that exhales black smoke. It has been set in a vast estate of olive trees to offer visitors a unique and immersive experience that celebrates Spanish tradition, culture, and nature.
Inside, the museum presents a fabulous collection of unsuspected objects. A monumental half-olive is embedded in the corten wall. A metal pipe enters the building without ever exiting. Water gushes forth. A large figure without a head or identity, accompanied by a rudimentary airplane that was one of the first to fly. Pieces of wood. A giant rapier and an equally immense portrait of its inventor-matador from Ronda.
From harvesting to oil extraction, the museum offers a captivating journey into the heart of the history and culture of olive oil in Andalusia, punctuated by original staging and immersive multimedia presentations that allow visitors to observe closely the fascinating process of cultivating the olive tree and transforming its fruit in a decidedly avant-garde building.
“La Almazara” pays homage to the past while offering a resolutely optimistic view of the future of the olive oil industry in Spain. It features exhibitions that illustrate the centuries-old culture of olive growing and the essential role of olive oil in the region’s economy, while exploring its influence in the cultural traditions of Andalusia, particularly in customs, festivals, literature, and architecture.
Other sections of the museum are dedicated to technological advancements and modern production methods of green gold. A special space highlights the health benefits of this precious liquid.
“La Almazara” is part of an approach that harmoniously combines ecology, gastronomy, and innovation,” Jorge Amat, communication and marketing manager for the “La Almazara” project in Ronda, told MAP.
Much more than just a stylish olive oil mill, this building, designed to create a link between man, nature, and art, embodies a perfect fusion of tradition and modernity, he said.
For its designer, Philippe Starck, the olive oil mill is “an unusual, incredible, and miraculous place where visitors can experience a powerful and radical experience that challenges and transforms. It is a mass of mysteries where the crystallized respect for olive oil mingles with emotion.”
Recognized for his genius creations, this renowned architect has managed through this project to marry simplicity and elegance in a building that transcends functional aspects to constitute a work of art in itself. Its clean lines and bold volumes reflect a perfect balance between natural harmony and aesthetic innovation.
With this avant-garde project that reinvents the concept of oleotourism, Ronda aims to position itself as an essential destination for design and global olive tourism. With a remarkable historical legacy, this mythical city perched in the Andalusian heights enriches its cultural heritage with this museum space by integrating a new contemporary architectural icon.