⭐ Travel Guide for Island Crete ⛵, Greece❗

Paliamas Olive Tree

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The Monumental Olive Tree of Paliama is situated at Trypiti, near the abandoned settlement of Paliama, close to Moroni in the province Kenourgio. It has been declared monumental by the Association of Cretan Olive Municipalities because of its enormous size and the distinctive sculptural form of its trunk.

The tree belongs to the Chondrolia olive variety and has been grafted onto the rootstock of a wild olive tree. A large hollow has formed inside its trunk, with enough room for two or three people.

At its base, the trunk has a maximum diameter of 4.90m and a circumference of 20.40m. At a height of 0.80m above the ground, its maximum diameter is 4.20m and its circumference is 10.50m.

According to the estimate presented by the Association of Cretan Olive Municipalities, the tree is approximately 3,000 years old. This estimate is based on the olive-tree dating method and an assumed average annual radial growth of 0.7 millimetres. According to this calculation, the tree first began growing during the Sub-Minoan–Early Geometric period of Cretan history, approximately between 1100 and 800 BC.

A visit to the monumental olive tree can be combined with a walk through the old settlement of Paliama and a visit to the nearby two-naved Church of Saint Charalambos and the Virgin Mary.