Despite withstanding over three millennia, the ancient olive tree continues to thrive, bearing quality fruits regularly.
History and Significance
Considered the world's oldest olive tree, this natural wonder resides in the village of Ano Vouves, Kissamos in Chania, Crete, Greece. It has been scientifically dated to approximately 3,000 years old. Revered as a symbol of immortality since ancient times, the tree has a 3D model at the Olive Tree Museum of Vouves in its honor. Olive branches from this tree have also been used to create the laurel wreaths for the victors at the 2004 Athens and 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.
Scientific dating techniques, such as radiocarbon dating, have revealed the time of the ancient olive tree's planting, with its trunk measuring an impressive 12.5 meters in circumference.
Resilience and Longevity
Archaeologist Ticia Verveer shared an image of the tree on social media platform Twitter, noting that "it was here when Rome burned in 64 AD and when Pompeii was buried in volcanic ash in 79 AD." Commenters pondered that the Vouves tree had witnessed the golden age of Athens, the rise of the Roman Empire, and the birth of Christ. Remarkably, the tree continues to bear high-quality fruits even after three millennia.
Natural Wonder in Crete
Situated in a picturesque village on the island of Crete, the tree boasts a trunk with a circumference of 12.5 meters and a diameter of 4.6 meters. It belongs to the local tsounati cultivar and was grafted onto an older olive tree, giving its trunk a distinctive, sculpted appearance. In 1990, the Vouves olive tree was declared a Natural Monument of Great Importance, marking its status as the world's oldest tree.
Tourist Destination and Culinary Delicacy
The ancient tree has transformed the village of Ano Vouves into a popular tourist attraction, drawing over 20,000 visitors annually. They come to witness the "monumental tree" and learn about its rich history. Visitors marvel at its unique origins, its beautiful spiraling form, and the opportunity to sample the rare olives it bears. The olives and oil from the ancient tree are available for purchase at the village's souvenir shop. The olive oil is praised for its intense flavor, high quality, and beautiful amber color, with distinct notes of freshness, bitterness, herbs, and a slightly piquant aftertaste.
Legacy and Global Significance
The 3,000-year-old tree stands atop a hill surrounded by thousands of other olive trees. The surrounding villages are renowned for producing what is considered the best olive oil in the world, establishing Crete as the "cradle" of olive cultivation and production.
Greece is the world's top consumer of olive oil, with an average consumption of over 24 liters per person, per year. Today, there are approximately 800 million olive trees worldwide, with around 95% grown in the Mediterranean Basin, an area that provides the ideal soil and climatic conditions for their cultivation. Olive trees are widespread throughout Greece, with their cultivation area exceeding that of any other fruit tree, covering approximately 15% of the country's agricultural land and 75% of its permanent woody crops.
The 3,000-year-old olive tree of Ano Vouves, Crete, is a living testament to the resilience and longevity of nature. Revered as a symbol of immortality since ancient times, this natural wonder continues to bear quality fruits and mesmerize visitors with its historical significance, unique appearance, and culinary delights. The tree stands as a reminder of the rich agricultural heritage of Greece and the global importance of the olive tree.