Hypogeum – Oil mill

Built probably in Norman times, the interesting underground oil mill, whose access faces along the walls of Via Cava, tells of the Apulian practice of producing oil in rooms carved into the rock.

The underground oil mills, very common in Taranto and in the Salento area, have been widely used for a very long time since they guaranteed safety thanks to their constant temperature that ensured better conditions for the production and storage of oil. The one in Via Cava is probably dated back to the Norman age. The discovery of a notarial deed (dated to 1084) let us know about the presence of a millstone in this part of the city. The discovery of this important document not only testifies the production of oil (both olive oil and lamp oil) within the urban fabric of the ancient Taranto, but also makes Via Cava one of the oldest underground oil mills in Apulia.

This hypogeum still preserves some millstones (used for the first pressing of olives) and several tanks for decanting the product.