Museo dell'Olio «Sa Mola de su Notariu»

About the museum

The museum occupies the buildings annexed to a villa built at the end of the 17th century by the Boyl family, whose properties included many olive groves and an oil mill. At the beginning of the 20th century the whole complex was bought by the notary Francesco Locci (1880–1966), known as Su Notariu, who besides producing oil from his own olive groves also milled olives for others: the name Sa mola de su Notariu, “the notary's oil mill”, comes from him.

For over four hundred years oil production took place without interruption in the museum's premises, until the late 1970s, when the mill was moved to a new site with modern machinery. The museum, founded in 2003 by Francesco Locci, owner of the Oleificio Locci, gathers tools, machines, documents and books on the culture of oil and the olive tree, from the Locci family and from research in Sardinia and around the world.

The route follows the entire oil cycle: cultivation and harvesting, milling with an animal-drawn millstone, pressing, separation and storage, from Roman amphorae to modern containers. In an underground cistern a collection of around seventy oil lamps from different periods and origins is displayed, described as unique in Sardinia; one section preserves the documentation of the Oleificio Locci.

Highlights

• Oil mill with animal-drawn millstone
• Collection of around seventy oil lamps in the cistern
• Late-17th-century Villa Boyl
• Documentation of the Oleificio Locci
• Guided tastings of extra virgin olive oil

Permanent exhibition

• Frantoio, museo e collezione di lucerne – Route through the oil cycle with millstone, presses and tools, plus the collection of oil lamps in the underground cistern.

Founded

2003

Operated by

Oleificio Locci

Admission & discounts

The museum is visited through paid experiences bookable online; Discovery and Signature require at least 2 participants. Reductions for children are available, to be requested stating age and number. Cancellations without penalty up to 24 hours before.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Physical access is easier for visitors with specific needs, except for the underground cistern.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

The experience is listed as suitable for families, with reductions for children.

Getting there & parking

Dolianova is about 20 km from Cagliari: follow the SS 554 to Monserrato and then the SS 387.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Wi-Fi

Oil and products for sale; Wi-Fi is among the services listed by the Sardegna Cultura portal.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit