The Vrana Olive Mill – Museum is located in the settlement of Papados, in the gulf of Gera. It belongs to the Cultural Urban non-profit “Archipelagos Company”, which, with the late director Nikos Koundouros as President, created and manages it in the twenty years 1997-2017. It is one of the oldest olive mills on Lesvos, which belonged to the family of the Nobel Laureate Poet Odysseus Elytis and operated from 1887 to the beginning of the 1980s. The fact that the main machines are able to be fully operational and ” really bring the factory to life, is one of the features that make this particular Museum-Monument unique.
From the beginning, the restoration study took into account the history on the one hand, and on the other hand the new use of the space, setting as goals the restoration of the original form of the complex and the formation of a modern and functional reception area for the public, with a museum, educational , cultural and entertainment character.
The space with the equipment of the steam operation was kept as it is. In the Engine area, the historic TANGYE diesel engine is in full operation and is one of seven (7) identical engines surviving around the world. The restoration was carried out in an exemplary manner as through its rare mechanical equipment all the stages and means of steam-powered and then motorized oil production (presses, pumps, grinding mills, pulleys and belts) originating from the historic factory are presented Mechanical Engineering of Smyrna of ISIGONI.
During the restoration of the building complex, a rare treasure was found, the factory record which is the most complete surviving record of oil production of those that have been identified and recorded so far, with a time span that reaches a century. The archive of the Vranas Olive Mill, unique in its completeness and time span, is now an object and a tool of historical research, which is attended by students, teachers, historians, while part of it is exhibited on the ground floor of the building where it was found.
The Permanent Exhibition of Visual Works inspired by the old olive mill is the result of an “experiment” dialogue between the Museum-Monument and thirteen contemporary creators, a meeting as interesting as it is unexpected.
The Museum has excellent infrastructure for hosting various events, such as concerts, film screenings, periodical exhibitions, conferences, etc. A practice that was implemented with great success from the first year of its operation, and by organizing educational programs for children and young people on a regular basis, the Museum developed into a living cell of the local community.
Papados Geras, Lesvos | 81106 | 22510 82007
E-mail: info@vranasmuseum.gr
Website: http://www.vranasmuseum.gr/
