The conservation of Muro Leccese’s olive oil mill: authenticity and rehabilitation

The theme of preservation and recovery of olive oil mills means on the one hand to regain historical and cultural memory linked to the culture of the land and to the identity of people who have lived in those places for years; on the other hand, to reevaluate traditional economic values which express the working society and endorse an ancient product: oil, indeed. In parallel, these issues intertwine with important reflections about the designers’ attitude first directed to respect the authenticity of the built heritage and its identity through conservation actions. Conversely, it tries to understand through which actions of intervention and rehabilitation it is possible to ensure its preservation and valorization over the time. Finally, it proposes actions of reuse to give new life and make it a vehicle of knowledge for next generations. These theoretical considerations can be applied to the project of Muro Leccese’s olive oil mill.