Greece’s first museum dedicated to the olive and to olive oil was created in the town of Sparta, under the aegis of the Piraeus Bank Cultural Foundation. The institution showcases the history of olive oil and its progression from grove to table, as well as highlighting its different uses as a product of both nutrition and body care, while also running educational programs for visitors of all ages. Ancient pottery, modern sculptures, rare petrified olive leaves and reproductions of traditional mill equipment offer a fascinating insight into how olive oil has been produced through the ages. Different varieties of olive trees grow in the museum’s garden, while the shop offers more than 30 different local labels to take home as a tasty souvenir or gift.