In the village of Ano Vouves, near Kolymvari just west of Chania, stands one of the most extraordinary living things in Europe — the Monumental Olive Tree of Vouves. Gnarled, hollowed and endlessly twisted by time, it is widely reputed to be the oldest olive tree in the world, and remarkably it still produces olives every year.
Walk around the ancient tree in our 360° Street View · © Jarosław Borowski
How old is it?
Scientists from the University of Crete estimated the tree at more than 2,000 years old by analysing growth rings, while other accounts place it at 3,000 or even 4,000 years. Whatever the exact figure, it was already ancient when the Roman Empire ruled the Mediterranean — and it is still alive today.
A trunk like sculpture
The tree belongs to the local tsounati variety, grafted long ago onto a wild olive. Its trunk measures around 4.9 metres across and 12.5 metres in circumference, hollowed into flowing, cave-like folds that look more like carved stone than living wood. It is protected as a natural monument — one of a handful of monumental olive trees recognised in Greece.
Olive branches for the Olympics
The tree is more than a curiosity. Branches from it were cut to weave the victory wreaths for the marathon winners at the 2004 Athens and 2008 Beijing Olympic Games — a link between the world's oldest olive tree and the ancient Greek symbol of peace and triumph.
Visiting Vouves
The tree stands in a small, free-to-visit square in Ano Vouves, about a 30–40 minute drive west of Chania. Next to it, the little Olive Tree Museum of Vouves tells the story of Cretan olive cultivation. It pairs perfectly with a day exploring the beaches and villages of western Crete.
Good to know: entry is free, there is shade and parking nearby, and the best light for photos is morning or late afternoon. Please don't climb on or carve the tree — it has survived thousands of years and deserves a few more.