Traditional Armeni Oil Mill

Last Wensday, members from the Traditional Armeni Oil Mill committee and the Department of Tourism came together to visit a special site. Their goal was to plan ways to introduce this site to both locals and visitors. The site they visited is a renovated oil mill, which is a two-story building covering an area of 245.73 square meters and its accessible to everybody. It's owned by the municipality of Rethymno and sits on a plot of land measuring 180.07 square meters in the village of Armeni, walking distance from  Late Minoan Cemetery.

This mill holds historical significance as it will bring back the traditional process of oil production. The municipality of Rethymno believes that converting it into an exhibition space will not only benefit the settlement but also the wider area. The funding was coming from various sources including the European Union (NSRF), national resources, and the municipality of Rethymno itself.

In the past, during the late Venetian and Ottoman periods, this two-story olive mill was very active. It had designated areas for the production and processing of olives, including concrete tubs for collecting the fruit, pulp, and oil. The basic machinery, like limestone millstones, an oven, and a press, were also present. Additionally, the first floor served as the owner's residence, while the ground floor had a storage room equipped with oil storage jars.

About a decade ago, the municipality of Rethymno initiated efforts to preserve this traditional building. They entered into a programmatic contract with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, focusing on replacing the roof and supporting the stone elements. This was done to save this remarkable piece of traditional heritage and transform it into a modern exhibition space.

Aside from showcasing the oil production process, the exhibition area will feature informative sections. These sections will include a seminar room, an interactive screen, information kiosks, exhibitions of utensils related to olive trees and oil throughout the years, a video wall, photographic materials, a screening room, a library, an outdoor café with a pergola, and a minibar.