<THE VILLAGE OF VOUVES ON THE ISLAND OF CRETE
The village of Vouves is easily reached from the coastal town of Kolymbari which lies on the edge of the Rodopos peninsula. The village consists of two parts: Kato Vouves and the further inland Ano Vouves. The attraction of the village is the olive tree in Ano Vouves, of which it is estimated that it was already there in the Minoan period (1100 - 800 BC). The estimated age are a bit apart, but it would have to be 3000 to 4000 years old. The diameter of the tree is almost five meters.
It is difficult to determine the exact age of the tree, but not far from the tree two cemeteries were found that date from 900-700 BC. Up to this day the tree bears still bears fruit.
Next to the tree there is a small museum where old objects are exhibited which are related to olive cultivation and olive oil production. Admission is free. Parking is available on a specially constructed large parking lot near the tree. Competition from these tree comes from the village of Kandanos, in the southwest of Crete, where there is also the claim of the oldest olive tree on the island.