The Olive Tree That's Witnessed 4,000 Years of History
The Olive Tree of Vouvres is a bent and gnarled beauty still producing fruit after an estimated 4,000 years of life.
Found on the Greek island of Crete, it serves as an older sister to (still admittedly old) younger trees of 2,000 and 3,000 years. This tree is a tourist attraction, cultural and historic landmark, and point of pride for the people of the village of Ano Vouvres, who cherish this botanical wonder.
A small museum preserves elements of traditional culture related to tending to olive trees and harvesting and processing olives, and branches were cut from this tree to make wreaths for the marathon winners of the 2004 and 2008 Olympic Games.
The Olive Tree Of Vouves: Crete’s 4,000-Year-Old Living Legend
In Crete’s Ano Vouves village, the 4,000-year-old Olive Tree of Vouves still bears fruit, its twisted trunk a testament to millennia of survival. Older than Alexander the Great, this living relic blends botanical marvel with Greek heritage.
Bill Giannopoulos