The old oil mill in San Rafael

Mural dedicated to olive oil production

This mural depicts the region’s main economic activity: the harvesting and production of olive oil. If Fuente-Tójar is known for anything, it is for producing one of the finest extra virgin olive oils and for being part of the Priego de Córdoba Protected Designation of Origin. The Molino de San Rafael was founded by Rafael Calvo Sánchez in 1914 and remained in operation for over 50 years, ceasing activity in 1968. It was sold to José Madrid Pérez, and since then has been passed down from generation to generation. Here, the owners’ own olives were pressed, as well as those purchased from private individuals. The exhibition realistically brings together the most important elements found in mills of that era, such as the olives themselves, the wicker baskets in which they were transported, the millstones and weights, and, of course, the engine that turned the mill and crushed the olives to extract the oil – which is still preserved today. The significance of the place, the light there, its neighbours and the very culture of the village define this work