Greece never stops being surprising. Beyond the joy it brings to visitors, and known mostly as a vacation destination, Greece has hidden treasures that always reveal themselves in more challenging ways. Among these surprising treasures is the olive tree from Vouves, located in the village of Ano Vouves in the Kolymvari municipal unit, Chania regional unit, Crete. The connection between the olive tree and Greece has legendary origins, with one of the legends associated with the olive tree being the emergence of the city of Athens, linked to the goddess of the same name and symbolizing stability, durability, and wisdom. Therefore, it is no surprise that the olive tree in Vouves, scientifically known as Olea Europaea, probably one of the oldest olive trees in the entire Mediterranean Basin and perhaps in the world, still produces olives today. The exact age of the tree cannot be precisely determined, but it has been estimated by the University of Crete to be between 3,000 and 4,000 years old.
The tree remains productive to this day, grafted with the "Tsounati" variety.
In 1997, the tree was declared a protected natural monument. Branches from this tree were used to create the crowns for the winners of the 2004 Athens Olympics and the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Olive trees, with their dignified stature that transcends time, continue to bring joy and inspiration, telling a story of ancient times, enveloped in the savory and bitter taste of legend.