Hidden among the olive groves on the outskirts of Ronda, LA Almazara stands like a monolith from another world. Designed by renowned French architect Philippe Starck, this red cube-shaped building is not just an olive oil mill—it’s a surreal blend of art, architecture, and Andalusian heritage. In a region known for whitewashed villages and traditional cortijos, LA Almazara is a bold departure and a fresh reason to visit Ronda. So let’s take a look Inside LA Almazara: Philippe Starck’s Surreal Olive Oil Mill in Ronda
Listen to me (Clive) talking about La Almazara in Ronda
Join Clive Muir, author at Ronda Today, as he takes you inside LA Almazara—Philippe Starck’s striking olive oil mill just outside Ronda, Spain.
A Designer’s Vision: From Functional to Poetic
Philippe Starck is known for transforming the everyday into something extraordinary. With LA Almazara in Ronda, he imagined an “Andalusian Pandora’s Box”—a building packed with symbolism and surrealist storytelling. According to Starck, the design reflects what a human brain might look like if constructed in steel and stone.
From the outside, the structure is stark and imposing. A giant bull’s horn juts out from one side—an homage to the local bullfighting tradition. Another wall reveals a half-circle, symbolising the olives themselves. And peering across the estate is a Phoenician-style eye, a nod to ancient Mediterranean history.
Book Your Visit to LA Almazara
Whether you’re in Ronda for a day or a week, don’t miss this extraordinary olive oil experience. And if you’re curious about a more traditional tour, explore our family’s visit to the LA Organic Experience here.
👉 Ready to explore the surreal? Book your LA Almazara visit at Get Your Guide here.
Or, see the prices, dates and availability over at Viator.
Step Inside the Surreal
Entering LA Almazara feels like stepping into a crypt or cathedral. The lighting is intentionally low, forcing you to slow down and pay attention. Inside, visitors find:
- A model flying machine inspired by Ronda’s Abbas Ibn Firnas
- A giant sword and bullhorn suspended above
- A headless figure inviting surreal interpretation
- A metal pipe representing the flow of olives into the mill
This surreal experience is deliberate. Starck describes it as “poetic functionalism,” where every object serves both a practical and symbolic purpose.
Listen to Mike and Sarah talking about La Almazara in Ronda on their podcast
In this episode of Discovering Spain: Wildlife, Culture and Travel Insights, Mike and Sarah dive into one of Andalusia’s most surreal and striking landmarks—LA Almazara, the olive oil mill designed by Philippe Starck just outside Ronda.
An Olive Oil Museum Like No Other
LA Almazara also houses what may be the world’s only museum dedicated entirely to olive oil. It’s packed with fascinating facts: the Titanic carried olive oil for its first-class passengers, and the Citroën DS once used it as hydraulic fluid.
Despite its global culinary status, olive oil makes up just 1.28% of edible oil production, far behind palm, soy, and canola oils.
See the Mill in Action
Beneath the building lies a state-of-the-art olive oil production facility. Visitors can observe each stage of the process: crushing, purifying, and bottling. Unlike wine, olive oil is ready to enjoy immediately after refining.
Olives enter the mill via a large tube, drop into a central tank, and begin milling—all within seconds. Starck has designed the process to be efficient, precise, and visually captivating.
Olive Oil Tasting with a Twist
Above LA Almazara sits The Greenhouse, a tasting room with sweeping views of the olive groves. Visitors are taught to taste like experts:
- Smell the oil near your chest
- Swirl it in your mouth to explore the flavor
- Swallow slowly, noticing smoothness or aftertaste
The result? A sensory experience that leaves you appreciating olive oil as you would a fine wine.
Stay in Style: The LA Almazara Cortijo
A short walk from the mill is a luxurious five-bedroom cortijo designed by Starck. It features:
- Designer bathtubs shaped like bullhorns
- A cozy fireplace with surrounding kindlers
- A library stocked with books on Spanish history and bullfighting
More Than a Tour: A Cultural Experience
Starck, though opposed to bullfighting, embraces the symbolism to reflect the local identity. The building is both a celebration and critique of Andalusian culture. Surreal, powerful, and unforgettable, LA Almazara is where past and future collide.
This isn’t just for architecture buffs. Families, culture seekers, and food lovers alike will find something magical here.
Book Your Visit to LA Almazara
Whether you’re in Ronda for a day or a week, don’t miss this extraordinary olive oil experience. And if you’re curious about a more traditional tour, explore our family’s visit to the LA Organic Experience here.
👉 Ready to explore the surreal? Book your LA Almazara visit at Get Your Guide here.
Or, see the prices, dates and availability over at Viator.
Ronda Today
Everything you need to know before you visit Ronda “The city of dreams” in Andalucia. https://rondatoday.com/
Visit Cádiz
Planning on visiting Cádiz? Tourist information. Monuments. Hotels. Activities. City guides: https://visitingcadiz.com/
The Caminito del Rey
Find tickets for the Caminito del Rey: https://www.caminodelrey.es/
Wildside Holidays – Spain
Take a trip on the Wildside! Discover the wildlife and nature of Spain, its Natural and National Parks and find the top wildlife, activity and walking holiday companies.
Iberia Nature Forum
Struggling with identifying those bugs and beasties? Why not check out the Iberia nature Forum! https://iberianatureforum.com/
I’ve been living in this lovely area of Western Andalucia for the last 20 years or so and dedicate most of my time to the running of English language tourist information websites for the towns of Cádiz, Ronda, Grazalema, the famous or infamous Caminito del Rey, and also Wildside Holidays, which promotes sustainable and eco-friendly businesses running wildlife and walking holidays in Spain. My articles contain affiliate links that will help you reserve a hotel, bus, train or activity in the area. You don’t pay more, but by using them you do support this website. Thankyou!