The Ancient Olive Tree of Vouves

A Living Legend in Western Crete

Η ελιά Βουβών υπολογίζεται πως είναι πάνω από 3.000 ετών.

The olive tree of Vouves, nestled in the village of Ano Vouves in Chania, isn’t just a tree. It’s a monument. A living, breathing piece of history that’s believed to be over 3,000 years old—and still producing olives.

Declared a natural monument by SEDIK (the Association of Cretan Olive Municipalities), this ancient tree is celebrated both for its colossal size and the mesmerizing patterns that have formed over centuries on its gnarled trunk. It belongs to the mastoidis variety and was grafted onto wild olive rootstock.

At just under a metre from the ground, the trunk already measures a diameter of 3.70 metres and a circumference of 8.10 metres. At its base, the numbers are even more impressive: a diameter of 4.53 metres and a circumference stretching to 12.55 metres.

Its most glorious moment in recent memory? A branch from this tree was used to crown the winner of the men’s marathon at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games—a symbolic gesture linking modern athleticism with ancient heritage.

Right next to the tree, you’ll find a small but charming Olive Tree Museum. It’s worth stepping inside to learn more about the tree’s history and the enduring role of olive cultivation in Cretan life.

Photo: Incrediblecrete