Terra Oleum: The Active Museum of Olive Oil
Terra Oleum is the active museum of olive oil located in Geolit, the Olive and Olive Oil Technological Park, showcasing the Extra Virgin Olive Oils of Jaén.
The Active Museum of Olive Oil and Sustainability is housed in a modern exhibition space featuring unique architectural elements, including the "Golden Box" and a natural setting formed by a grove of centenary olive trees. Its avant-garde architecture and interactive visitor experiences make Terra Oleum an ideal place to actively explore all stages of Extra Virgin Olive Oil production, from the field to the table. The building incorporates bioclimatic “green building” solutions regarding materials and spatial organization. Selected as a reference center by the European Union for promoting olive oil culture, it is the largest knowledge hub in the Mediterranean dedicated to a food product.
The museum offers a permanent exhibition of interactive modules, audiovisuals, machinery, and scenography about olive groves, olive oil, and sustainability. A 3D video mapping system allows visitors to experience the role of a master miller, overseeing every step of the oil extraction process. The auditorium hosts events with state-of-the-art audiovisual technology, including interactive electronic systems for real-time knowledge exchange.
Outdoor activities such as olive harvesting and identification of native species in their natural habitat are also part of the museum experience. Terra Oleum offers workshops, courses, and seminars for all audiences, turning the field and the mill into the central focus of an immersive educational visit guided by specialists in every aspect of olive oil production.
Additionally, Terra Oleum offers a curated selection of Extra Virgin Olive Oils from almost all olive-growing regions of Jaén, Andalusia, and Spain. Visitors can taste oils in the museum's Oleoteca, engaging both the senses of smell and taste. Interactive modules allow visitors to evaluate positive attributes or defects in oils and compare their assessments with expert panels using electronic scoring systems.
The Oleaginus space showcases art and culture related to the olive tree, featuring quality promotions, designations of origin, an olive oil bookstore, contemporary painting, and oil-related art.
The Olive Tree as the Central Focus
The center is designed to promote everything related to olive cultivation, production techniques, olive oil economics, and scientific, technical, or cultural aspects of olive oil. Sustainability in olive production is emphasized, reflecting the essential role of this singular Mediterranean oil.
The museum sits on a plot of over 11,000 square meters in the Geolit Science and Technology Park in Mengíbar, Jaén, at kilometer 21 along the A-44 highway, surrounded by olive groves. Built by the Provincial Government of Jaén and the Andalusian Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, it was technically developed by the Foundation for the Promotion and Development of Olive Oil. The building takes advantage of the natural slope, partially embedding the structure to control light, temperature, and sound levels.
The museum focuses on two main pillars: sustainability in olive cultivation and quality in oil production. Visitors learn about sustainable farming techniques for water and soil conservation. The grove of centenary olive trees surrounding the building makes the visit a truly immersive experience.
The Challenge of Sustainability
The museum emphasizes that any economic activity, whether agricultural, industrial, or service-related, must consider long-term sustainability. Economic and social development should minimize environmental impact to preserve natural resources for future generations. Terra Oleum integrates the olive tree and sustainable farming into a symbiosis of tangible and intangible knowledge, making it a must-visit for lovers of Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
For More Information and Visits:
Geolit Science and Technology Park. Calle Sierra Morena, Block 13a, 23620 Mengíbar, Jaén
Phone: +34 953 274 976
Email: info@terraoleum.es
Website: www.terraoleum.es
Hours: Tuesday to Saturday 10:00–14:00 and 16:00–18:00. Sundays and holidays: mornings only.
Languages: English and Spanish
