The Oil Mill from Ohaba, Hunedoara County

Built in 1933 in the village of Ohaba, this installation used the power of water to process oil seeds. It includes three main parts: a water-powered stamping mill, a stone stove for roasting the seed dough, and a horizontal press with a central screw.

The stamping mill is the core of the system. A wooden block with 12 cavities is struck rhythmically by 12 pairs of wooden hammers. These are lifted and released by a camshaft driven by a hydraulic wheel. Water falling from above turns the wheel and powers the entire mechanism.

Originally, the press was operated by hand using a front wheel. In 1946, craftsmen from Ohaba connected it to the same hydraulic system through gear wheels. This innovation replaced manual effort with water power and marked a step toward the mechanization of traditional technology.

The mill is housed in a sturdy building made of river stones, with a double-pitched roof covered with wooden boards. The oil mill from Ohaba was brought to the museum in 1968.