ANCIENT OLIVE TREE & MUSEUM
The Ancient Olive Tree & Museum is in Ano Vouves is located.
The village is in the region of Chania, in West Crete – 28 km from Chania, 24 km from Kissamos.
Vouves Olive Tree is one of the oldest olive trees in the world. The Olive Tree still produces olives today.
The exact age of the tree cannot be determined, as the heartwood has been lost over the centuries: the inside is completely empty.
The olive tree age
Radioisotope examination: it is not possible, since the heartwood is not there.
Frost ring analysis: at least 2000 years old.
Scientists at the University of Crete: estimated age: 4000 years.
Based on excavations near the unique olive tree: at least 3000 years old.
The excavations
1997 – declared a protected natural monument
Olive tree dimensions:
– width of the root: 4.53 m
– width of the tree trunk: 3.7 m
– width of the crown: 10.3 m
– height: 6.5 m
The branches from the unique olive tree: they are solemnly cut every year: from this, wreaths are made for the winners of the marathons.
At the Athens 2004 Olympic Games and the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, from this olive tree: wreaths are made for the winners.
John Malandrakis, the mayor of Platanias, sent an Olympic wreath in 2012 for the opening ceremony of the London Olympics. It was a symbol of peace, hope, and brotherhood.
The olive branches, carried on an ancient ship, from Crete to Athens.
Church next to the Ancient Olive Tree and Museum
Traditional Cretan house among the artichokes
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