The museum houses a rare collection of 19th-century oil lamps showing the transition from animal fat to olive oil illumination.
It contains a botanical section dedicated to the Olea europaea, including specimens from different global climates.
The collection features an authentic 18th-century animal-powered stone mill used for cold-pressing olives.
Exhibits include ancient Mediterranean amphorae used for transporting olive oil across sea trade routes.
The museum displays historical documents illustrating the influence of the Carli family on Ligurian olive oil commercialization.
One room is dedicated specifically to the symbolic and religious significance of the olive branch throughout antiquity.
The Museo dell’Olivo Carlo Carli is a specialized museum in Imperia documenting the 6,000-year history of the olive tree and its cultural impact on Mediterranean civilizations. Established by the Carli family, long-time producers of olive oil, the museum occupies a former industrial facility converted to house extensive private collections. The exhibition spans 18 rooms featuring archaeological artifacts, historical oil presses, and artistic representations of olives through the ages. It covers botanical information, cultivation techniques, and the global evolution of oil extraction technology. Visitors follow a structured path that explains the tree's role in religion, medicine, and daily life across various epochs. The collection includes antique lamps, ceramics, and tools used for harvesting. It functions both as an educational archive and a showcase for the industrial heritage of the Ligurian coast. The museum remains open as of July 2026, operating as a private corporate foundation.
The central atrium featuring the large, restored historical olive mill and stone structures.
Allow time to visit the attached store to sample different olive oil varieties produced by the Carli family.
The museum is self-guided, so read the provided information panels carefully to understand the industrial machinery history.
Wear comfortable shoes as the museum covers a large, multi-level floor plan.
Do not skip the historical oil press rooms, as they contain the rarest machinery in the collection.
Closed on Sundays and major public holidays; typically operates Monday through Saturday.
