Secastilla

Secastilla is a remote village in the Ribagorza region. The best approach is probably from the main road between Graus and Barbastro (N-123a). About 6 km from Graus you'll find a branch where Secastilla is signposted (8 km, HU-V-6432). Keep following the signs for Secastilla and after nearly 5 km you'll reach the exhibition with the machinery of an oil mill. Half a km further on you'll find a sign for the campo municipal de fútbol. Turn left. You'll pass the cemetery and after about half a km reach the village's swimming pool annex football field and the important source (La Fuente). Drop your vehicle and walk the gravel road turning left. The remains of the old mill are only a few steps away.

Pictures: 01.viii.2021

The old mill is located in a good spot, close to the source, and therefore always had sufficient water available for the extraction of the olive oil.

Originally the mill stones were pulled by horses † and the press was one of those huge cantilever presses, the type which is on display in Barbastro. In the 1920s a hydraulic press made in the Baró company in Tortosa was installed †. We have seen equipment of the Baró companies at several places: e.g. Buera, or Castillazuelo where we give some more information about Baró's history.

The new mill (3) was built in 1950 as part of the industrialisation plans of the Franco government. On its facade the label (3) of the Centro Industrial Nacional can still be seen.

The stones and hydraulic system of the old mill were transferred to the new one. The new mill also had a Vellino petrol engine, which was replaced by an electric one a few years later † (read more about Vellino in the mill of Banastón).

The new mill is still in business at the time of writing and markets olive oil made from native varieties like arbequina, verdeña, negral and more. Website aceitedesecastilla.com (latest check 14.ii.2025).