Despite having endured over three millennia, the ancient olive tree remains lush, bearing fruit consistently and of high quality.
The oldest olive tree in the world is located in the village of Ano Vouves in Kissamos, Chania, Crete, Greece, and is estimated by the scientific community to be around 3,000 years old. This “ancient tree” is regarded as a symbol of immortality since ancient times. Additionally, a 3D model of it is displayed at the Olive Tree Museum in Vouves to honor its significance. Branches from this tree were also woven into wreaths for the winners at the Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008 Olympics.
Using luminescence dating methods, scientists have determined the time when this ancient olive tree, with a trunk circumference of up to 12.5 meters, was planted.
The 3,000-year-old olive tree remains lush and bears delicious fruit.
A archaeologist, Ticia Verveer, posted a photo of the tree on social media platform X, stating: “The tree has stood here since Rome burned in 64 AD and when Pompeii was buried under thick volcanic ash in 79 AD.” Some users also commented that the “ancient tree” in Vouves has lived through the golden age of Athens, the rise of the Roman Empire, and the birth of Christ. Notably, after three millennia, the tree continues to bear fruit regularly and of high quality.
The tree is located in the charming village on the island of Crete. (Photo: neoskosmos).
The trunk measures 12.5 meters in circumference and 4.6 meters in diameter, belongs to the local tsounati variety, and has been grafted onto an ancient olive tree. Due to its grafted branches, the trunk takes on a sculptural form. In 1990, the Vouves olive tree was recognized as a Natural Monument of great importance and the oldest tree in the world.
This ancient tree has helped make the village of Ano Vouves a famous tourist destination in the area. Each year, over 20,000 people visit to admire the “ancient tree” and learn about its long history. Visitors are impressed by its unique origin and artistic spiral shape, and they wish to taste the “rare” 3,000-year-old olives. The olives and oil from this ancient tree are sold at the village souvenir shop. The olive oil is rated for its rich flavor, high quality, beautiful amber color, fresh taste, bitterness, herbal aroma, and a slightly spicy aftertaste.
The olives from this region are considered the best in the world. (Photo: VCG).
The “ancient tree” stands on a hill surrounded by thousands of olive trees. This area is also home to villages believed to produce the finest olive oil in the world, helping Crete become the “cradle” of olive cultivation and oil production.
Greece is the highest olive oil consumer in the world, with over 24 liters per person per year. Today, there are about 800 million olive trees worldwide, with approximately 95% grown in the Mediterranean basin, where the soil and climate conditions are optimal. Olives are cultivated throughout Greece, with the area devoted to this crop being larger than any other fruit tree, accounting for about 15% of cultivated agricultural land and 75% of the country’s woody plant cultivation.
