From Olives to Olive Oil…the Old-Fashioned Way
SAVE Restores a Piece of History
Appreciating Cyprus’ past is one way of ensuring a more peaceful future. Recently restored by the USAID-funded Supporting Activities that Value the Environment (SAVE) project, the Traditional Olive Mill in Buyukkonuk/Komi Kebir village was once a central part of village life. An excellent example of traditional Cypriot mud brick architecture, the Traditional Olive Mill houses an exhibit that traces the complex process of turning olives into oil and features several of its original elements. The Traditional Olive Mill is managed by HASDER, a local non-profit organization, committed to preserving folk arts and handicraft making. The site and its exhibits aim to increase the awareness of residents and visitors alike regarding the importance of preserving Cyprus’ rich cultural heritage for future generations.
While the Mediterranean is a combination of many different landscapes, cultures and peoples, it is united by the olive and the benefits that the olive has bestowed since the beginning of recorded history. Olive oil was produced on Cyprus as early as the beginning of the second millennium BC and the island was a major oil producer for centuries. Vestiges of ancient and medieval installations are scattered all over the island, including in the area around Buyukkonuk/Komi Kebir.
The Traditional Olive Mill was chosen as an opportunity to protect and conserve an important example of representative vernacular architecture and to demonstrate and revive Cypriot architectural features: mud brick walls, stone foundations, stone arches, corner stones, juniper raftered roof, interior plaster shelves, angled grain bins on the wall, exterior bread oven, wall plasters, carpentry work and ingenious door and window hardware. Its courtyard garden was landscaped using water-wise landscaping (xeriscaping).
This restoration was part of SAVE’s overall work to build local capacity to better protect and manage Cyprus’ valuable natural and cultural resources. Like all U.S.-funded programs in Cyprus, SAVE is aimed at facilitating reunification of the island, including through encouraging responsible economic development and sound environmental management.
Appreciating Cyprus’ past is one way of ensuring a more peaceful future. Recently restored by the USAID-funded Supporting Activities that Value the Environment (SAVE) project, the Traditional Olive Mill in Buyukkonuk/Komi Kebir village was once a central part of village life. An excellent example of traditional Cypriot mud brick architecture, the Traditional Olive Mill houses an exhibit that traces the complex process of turning olives into oil and features several of its original elements. The Traditional Olive Mill is managed by HASDER, a local non-profit organization, committed to preserving folk arts and handicraft making. The site and its exhibits aim to increase the awareness of residents and visitors alike regarding the importance of preserving Cyprus’ rich cultural heritage for future generations.
While the Mediterranean is a combination of many different landscapes, cultures and peoples, it is united by the olive and the benefits that the olive has bestowed since the beginning of recorded history. Olive oil was produced on Cyprus as early as the beginning of the second millennium BC and the island was a major oil producer for centuries. Vestiges of ancient and medieval installations are scattered all over the island, including in the area around Buyukkonuk/Komi Kebir. 
This restoration was part of SAVE’s overall work to build local capacity to better protect and manage Cyprus’ valuable natural and cultural resources. Like all U.S.-funded programs in Cyprus, SAVE is aimed at facilitating reunification of the island, including through encouraging responsible economic development and sound environmental management.
