- Age: more than 2000 years
- Cost of visiting: € 1 - for adults, € 0,5 - for children
Getting to Montenegro will not be complete without visiting this landmark - perhaps one of the most unusual in the country. This is an old tree - an olive (or, as they say, an olive), which has already passed more than 2000 years.
What is the famous tree?
The old olive tree is located in the village of Mirovica in the vicinity of Bar . It belongs to the popular "Adverbial" class on the Adriatic coast.
The diameter of the tree crown is about 10 m, and the trunk looks like a huge branching dome. Strictly speaking, there are several trunks, and they are so twisted among themselves that they are absolutely fantastic sight. In the past, the tree suffered from fire as a result of lightning, and this is noticeable.
Olive has not fructified for a long time, in contrast to the numerous young shoots around it. Sometimes near the trunk you can see small turtles that live here.
In 1957, the authorities of Montenegro took care of this unusual tree. It is guarded, and around the old olive tree a whole memorial complex was built.
Noteworthy is the fact that as early as 1963 the tree was declared a UNESCO monument by nature. It was this plant that was allocated among all olive trees of Montenegro as the oldest. And some even believe that this olive is the oldest in all of Europe.
What else to see?
To see a huge ancient tree and make a couple of photos with it is certainly interesting for any tourist. But this place offers other possibilities:
- In the memorial complex of Montenegro "Old Oliva" in the Bar you can visit the annual festival of children's creativity and literature. They spend here and harvest holidays (of course, olives).
- It is not for nothing that the olive is considered a symbol of Bar and Montenegro in general. Here, for a long time, olive oil is produced, which is exported to the countries of Europe and the USA. Recently, a museum was organized in the Bar, the exposition of which is devoted to the production of natural oil from olives. Also there you can see paintings by artists, one way or another related to the theme of olive trees.
- It should be noted that a beautiful legend is connected with this tree in Montenegro. It is believed that if two people in a quarrel, come together to an olive tree, it will necessarily reconcile them. Lovers come to Montenegro and marry in order to swear allegiance to each other. Another belief is that a tree fulfills dreams, you only have to go around it three times and make the most cherished wish.
How to get there?
The old olive tree is located near the popular Montenegrin resort of Bar, in the surrounding village. You can see the tree by coming here by taxi or a rented car (the journey time is 15 minutes). The distance from the city center is 5 km. If desired, they can be overcome on foot, in a short way (about 2 km). To do this, move from the Citadel in the Old Bar on the map (preferably using a GPS-navigator, as there are no signs here) along the country sites.
On this route there are also regular buses, however, it is extremely rare and irregular, so it is better not to hope for them.