Vouves

Another tiny village in the hills behind Maleme, Vouves boasts the world’s oldest olive tree.

The Olive Tree of Vouves

This millennia old olive tree with its twisting, gnarled trunk still bears fruit. It is estimated to be between 2,000 and 4,000 years old.

With a trunk perimeter of 12.5m and a diameter of 4.6m it is very much large enough to stand in. Having been declared a protected natural monument in 1997 with the nearby museum inaugurated in 2009, it is a symbol of pride.

As we arrive on the Little Fun Train, the crowd flocks to the tree. Despite its status as a protected monument, we can still get up close and personal including climbing inside the trunk. It is absolutely huge.

The sheer age of this living monument is mind blowing and to stand here in front of it, having lived a mere fraction of its existence, is somewhat overwhelming. If only it could talk, so to speak…

The Museum

The tiny museum house in a nearby 19th century structure, displays traditional tools and processes for olive cultivation.

It is also interesting to note that branches from the tree were used to weave victors’ wreaths for the winners of the 2004 Athens Olympics and the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Good To Know

The stop provided by the Little Fun Train is around 30mins, long enough to see the tree and a short visit to the museum. If the museum is of interest, make a beeline to the exhibits first. Then you will be able visit the tree once the crowd has migrated to the café for refreshments.

Would I Return?

No.