La Cilla

La Cilla is a historic tithe barn in La Oliva, in the north of Fuerteventura, now home to the Museo del Grano — a small museum devoted to the island's traditional farming culture. The stone building dates back to 1819 and once served to store grain that local farmers handed over as tithe payments to the diocese. While similar storehouses once stood in several places across the island, the one in La Oliva is the only one to survive largely intact.

What does "La Cilla" mean?

The word "cilla" refers to an old tithe barn, a building where farmers stored part of their harvest as rent owed to the church — a tenth of their yield, hence the term tithe. Fuerteventura once had several such buildings scattered across the island to collect these dues, but only the one in La Oliva has survived to the present day and been given a new purpose. The island's Cabildo purchased and restored the building, opening it as a museum in 1997.

What will you see inside?

Inside La Cilla, the exhibition walks visitors through the island's traditional agricultural cycle, closely tied to the seasons and the scarcity of rainfall. The displays include:

• Samples of the different grain varieties once grown on the island, alongside traditional units of measure
• Farming tools and equipment used for planting, harvesting and storing crops
• Photographs and explanatory texts describing how the Majoreros — Fuerteventura's inhabitants — managed to cultivate such an arid, unforgiving landscape
• Information on Fuerteventura's historic role as the "granary of the Canary Islands," supplying grain to the rest of the archipelago for centuries

The museum offers an accessible look at how central grain once was to the island's economy and daily life, long before tourism became its main source of income.

How do you get to La Cilla?

The museum is located in the town of La Oliva, in northern Fuerteventura, right in the heart of the town's historic quarter. It's a popular stop on any tour of the island's north and is easy to reach by car from Corralejo or Puerto del Rosario, with a drive of roughly fifteen to thirty minutes depending on your starting point. While in the area, it's worth setting aside time for La Oliva's other landmarks, such as the Casa de los Coroneles and the local contemporary art centre.

When should you visit?

La Cilla is open Tuesday to Saturday, from 10:00 to 17:00. Morning visits are a good idea, especially in summer, when midday temperatures on the island can climb quite high. A visit to the museum itself typically takes 30 to 45 minutes, making it easy to combine with other stops in La Oliva on the same day.

Why is it worth a visit?

La Cilla is one of the few places on Fuerteventura that offers a genuine glimpse of island life before mass tourism. For anyone interested in history, local culture or traditional farming, it's an authentic, low-key stop that adds cultural depth to a beach-focused trip to the island.

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly is a "cilla"? It's a historic tithe barn, where farmers once stored the portion of their harvest owed to the diocese as a form of rent.

Where exactly is the museum located? In the town of La Oliva, in the north of Fuerteventura, in Spain's Canary Islands.

What are the opening hours? Tuesday to Saturday, from 10:00 to 17:00.

Is it worth combining with other attractions in La Oliva? Yes — nearby sights include the Casa de los Coroneles and a local art centre, making it easy to plan a longer walk through the historic part of town.