The Orsa Olive Tree

On the charming island of Salamina, a living testament to history has been standing proudly for almost 2,500 years: the Orsa Olive Tree serves as a direct connection to the long-gone past. Located in Aianteio along the Avenue of Kaki Vigla, the Orsa Olive is one of the oldest olive trees in the entire country, an actual “witness” to monumental events like the legendary Battle of Salamis.

Named after Orsa, a young woman of the 17th century who received the tree as part of her dowry, the olive tree’s roots stretch much further back in time. It is believed to have been planted during the years of Pisistratus in the 6th century BC, a period when olive cultivation thrived in Attica.

In 2014, the Klorane Botanical Foundation officially recognized the Orsa Olive as the second oldest olive tree in Greece, at the astonishing age of 2,500 years. The oldest one is in Aegina, aged 2,700 years, while the third post is claimed by an olive tree at Koutroufi, Kynouria, which is 2,300 years old.

Today, the Orsa Olive is not merely a tree but a living monument of both natural beauty and cultural heritage. When visiting Salamina, it is worth taking a deep breath under its ancient branches, feeling the roughness of its historic trunk and contemplating the never-ending passage of time.

Start exploring the land of Attica and uncover timeless treasures like this one, offering an unparalleled insight into the rich history and cultural legacy of Greece.

Photo sourced by: Municipality of Salamina official website