Museo dell'Olio
Museum in Loreto Aprutino in a 19th-century neo-Gothic oil mill designed by Michetti, with the historic machinery for producing oil.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Museo dell’Olio opened in 2005 to bring back to life an old oil mill built in 1880 by Raffaele Baldini Palladini of Loreto, to a design by the painter Francesco Paolo Michetti, his friend. The neo-Gothic building, also known as the Castello or Palazzetto Amorotti, stands near the Castello Chiola; it has an octagonal tower with battlements.
The mill preserves two sets of machinery corresponding to the two phases in the life of the plant: the older stone edge-runner mill (macina a molazze), driven by animals, and the three-screw wooden press; and the second mill, the presses and the centrifugal separator, added in 1920. Baldini Palladini produced oils of different grades, from the finest first-pressing oil to lamp oil (olio lampante), and won awards at the world exhibition in Paris and at competitions in Milan, Palermo and Naples; from the early 20th century his oil was exported to the United States and Europe.
The museum is part of the Fondazione dei Musei Civici di Loreto Aprutino and in 2023 was awarded first place among oil museums in the national competition “Turismo dell’Olio” (Oil Tourism).
Highlights
- Mill from 1880 designed by Francesco Paolo Michetti
- Stone edge-runner mill and three-screw wooden press
- Presses and centrifugal separator from 1920
- Neo-Gothic building with octagonal tower
- First place among oil museums in the “Turismo dell’Olio” competition, 2023
Permanent exhibition
- Frantoio storico Baldini Palladini – Machinery of the 19th-century oil mill, from the stone mill to the centrifugal separator.
- Founded
- 2005
- Operated by
- Fondazione dei Musei Civici di Loreto Aprutino
- Visitors per year
- approx. 1,363
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €4 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €2young people aged 8 to 14 |
| Children & teens | €2free up to age 7 · Free under 8 when accompanied by parents; reduced rate from 8 to 14. |
| Visitors with disabilities | –companion free · Free admission for people with disabilities and one companion. |
| Groups (11+ people) | –25% reduction for groups of more than 10 people. |
| Combined ticket, 2 museums | €8 |
| Combined ticket, 3 museums | €9 |
| Combined ticket, 4 museums | €10€15 including the catalogue of the Museo Acerbo delle ceramiche di Castelli. |
Free admission also for residents of Loreto Aprutino during regular opening hours. 25% reduction for members of Touring Club Italiano, FAI, Archeoclub d’Italia, Arci, CTG, Endas, UNPLI and Italia Nostra with a valid membership card.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
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Getting there & parking
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Amenities & dining
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Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| School programs | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | The Musei Civici offer educational workshops for schools (requests via info@museiciviciloretoaprutino.it). |
