Dzit Han Museum And Photo-Exhibition

The oil press facility was built in the 17th century outside the Tatev monastery walls so as not to disturb the peaceful existence of the monks. One of its two rooms still has a massive millstone that was rotated by an ox. The oil press workers would first dry sesame, mustard, flax seeds, or whole plants on a stove, then grind them, place under a press, and the oil would flow into jars through stone grooves. The oil was consumed locally for food and was also used for the monastery’s defense. Surplus oil was either sold or traded. The oil press was one of the first facilities in the monastery restored in frame of Tatev Revival Project .

Memory of abandoned gorge: An Exhibition of Fine Art Photography is currently open for visitors in Oil Mill.