The National Museum of Science and Technology of Catalonia (MNACTEC) has produced a documentary about the juniper oil ovens of Riba-roja d’Ebre. The audiovisual work can be accessed via the Canal MNACTEC educational platform.
Riba-roja d’Ebre was a major juniper oil production centre, documented from the early 17th century onwards. Juniper oil is a traditional remedy used to treat both skin conditions and inflammation. This town on the River Ebro has the greatest number of juniper oil ovens still in existence anywhere on the Iberian peninsula. A formal procedure recently began to declare these 14 ovens in Riba-roja d’Ebre as a Cultural Site of National Interest ('BCIN').
The documentary draws on various experts to reveal the history of the Riba-roja ovens and the process of preparing this therapeutic oil: Josep Fornés, anthropologist; Salvador Gallart, Josep Aguilà Alabart, Antonio Castellvi and Josep Alió Raduà, members of the Friends of Riba-roja d’Ebre association; Ramón García, shepherd; Marina Prats, archaeologist, and Anna Català, naturopath.
The documentary, produced by Coleo Comunicación, forms part of the MNACTEC Documentaries series of the Canal MNACTEC educational platform, dedicated to science, technology and industrial heritage.
18 April 2024
