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The world's oldest olive tree grows in Crete

The area south of Kolymbari is full of olive trees. Drive up to the church of Saint John the Hermit Cave, located above the village of Marathokefala, which in turn lies above the village of Spilia a few kilometres south of Kolimbari. The church is well worth a visit, but it is the view of the valley that is the major attraction. One almost feel dizzy when looking out over the valley with all the olive trees.

The cave church of Saint John the Hermit in the village of Marathokefala in western Crete.

The cave church of Saint John the Hermit in the village of Marathokefala.

Millions of olive trees along the road up to the villages of Vouves and Ano Vouves in western Crete.

Olive trees, olive trees and more olive trees on the way up to the villages of Vouves and Ano Vouves.

A few kilometres southeast of Spilia lies two villages with almost the same name: Vouves and Ano Vouves. We follow the signs to Ano Vouves to see what probably is the world's oldest olive tree.

The parking lot outside the museum and the world's oldest olive tree.

No one, of course, knows how old the tree is. Some say that it is about 4,000 years old, others say that it is "only" about 3,000 years old. Who is right does not matter, that it is old is quite clear.

The world's oldest olive tree grows in Crete.

The world's (perhaps) oldest olive tree.

Olives still grow on the world's oldest olive tree.

Something that is amazing is that there are still olives growing on the tree.

Imagine that the tree may have been planted 4,000 years ago. Certainly it is fascinating with a tree that has seen the world come and go during such a long time. If it only could tell us about its life! The trunk is hollow and about three metres wide. There is room for several people inside the trunk.

Are there fun playgrounds for children in Crete? Yes, here is one of them.

The trunk is hollow and has room for several people, something kids think is funny.

The old olive tree in Crete is said to be between 3000 and 4000 years old.

Even adults find it fun to crawl in and out of the tree. :-)

The world's oldest olive tree grows in the village of Vouves in western Crete.

On the inside you can really see that the olive tree is very old.

What's even more amazing is that it still produce fruit. Adjacent to the old olive tree is a nice museum where you can learn everything that has to do with olives. During the 2004 Athens Olympics, the first and last gold medallist received an olive wreath from this particular tree.

Museum of Olives in Ano Vouves in Crete.

Don't miss the interesting museum next to the old olive tree.

Interesting olive museum on Crete in Greece.

The fine olive museum.

Olive Museum in the village of Vouves near Kolymbari in western Crete.

One of the rooms in the olive museum. Check out the picture on the top left.

Old photos of the world's oldest olive tree in Crete.

An old picture of the world's oldest olive tree.

The olive tree grows in the village of Ano Vouves, located south of Kolymbari 16 kilometres east of Kissamos, which in turn is located 40 kilometres west of Chania.

The world's oldest olive tree grows in Crete

WHAT YOU MUST NOT MISS IF YOU WHEN YOU ARE IN THE AREA

Don't miss Kolymbari beach, which you can read about here »

READ MORE ABOUT CRETE HERE »

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