Museo dell'Olio

Castelnuovo di Farfa, via Perelli, 1

The entrance of the medieval centre of Castelnuovo di Farfa marks the beginning of a sacred representation of the civilization of oil and olive culture. The rooms of a Renaissance building, a XVIII century mill and an ancient wood oven are the starting points of ascension; both physical and symbolic that leads to the highest point of the old village. From here the journey continues into the countryside, to end at an early medieval church. Architecture, visible arts, music and poetry mingle to create contrasting sensations, their combinations offers the warmth of an all embracing civilization. 

The museum is dedicated to Sabine Olive Oil, which in the II century AD Galeno, a famous doctor, defined as the best in the known world. The Abbey of Farfa was one of the few medieval institutions that preserved the ancient art and methods of olive cultivation.

The museum is situated in the palazzo Perelli, a XVI century building that has, over time, undergone a number of transformations and recently it was adapted as a museum. Its exhibits are not limited to the building but spill over to cover the whole village and the surrounding countryside.

The itinerary starts with a section dedicated to the myth of olive oil illustrated by sculptures of contemporary artists; Alik Cavalieri, Gianandrea Gazzola, Mari Lai and Hidetoshi Nagesawa. It continues with notes on botanical information on Sabine olives and its culture in Sabina.

There is a Hall of Memories where this world is narrated through the voices and images of the farmers of Castelnuovo. Following a footpath through the countryside it is possible to reach the early medieval church of San Donato, where, near the recently restored church is the "Garden of the world's olive trees". It contains all the species of olive trees grown in the Mediterranean Basin, it represents the symbolic union of all people that share a past and present tied to olive oil.

The Museum is part of the Mid Tiber Valley Museum system.