Information
Landmark: Bar Old Olive TreeCity: Bar
Country: Montenegro
Continent: Europe
Bar Old Olive Tree, Bar, Montenegro, Europe
Overview
In Bar, Montenegro, the Old Olive Tree-locals call it Stara Maslina-has stood for more than 2,000 years, its gnarled trunk twisting like ancient rope.This ancient tree rises tall, a quiet emblem of peace, resilience, and the region’s deep farming roots, its bark rough beneath your hand.In the Mirovica neighborhood, just a short walk from Stari Bar, the tree stands as a cherished landmark, its gnarled branches etched with centuries of wind and sun.No one knows the tree’s exact age, but most believe it’s between 2,000 and 2,500 years old-among the oldest living olive trees in Europe.Its survival owes much to the warm Mediterranean air and the hardy nature of olive wood, gnarled and silver in the sun.For generations, people have looked to the Old Olive Tree as a symbol of peace and reconciliation.Local legend says rival families once gathered beneath the tree, settling arguments in its shade and leaving as friends.Around Bar, the hills are thick with olive groves-about 100,000 trees, some so old their twisted trunks look like frozen waves.For generations, growing olives and pressing them into rich, golden oil have shaped the local economy and traditions, and the trees themselves tell the story-a single trunk can twist and swell to a circumference of more than ten meters.With its gnarled bark and timeworn trunk, the Old Olive Tree seems to whisper stories of survival stretching back thousands of years.Even where the wood is hollow and rough to the touch, silvery leaves still shimmer in the breeze, and each season brings a fresh crop of olives.A low fence circles its base, and the surrounding park-complete with shady benches and neat paths-welcomes visitors just four kilometers from Bar’s center.Signs share its history, and on occasion, music and laughter fill the air during harvest festivals and folklore events.Open daily during daylight hours, the site charges a small fee to help protect this national monument, with spring and autumn offering the most comfortable days to linger.They’ve worked to protect the tree’s health, stop the hollow from spreading, and care for the grounds so visitors can learn and explore.Why visit the Old Olive Tree?Because standing beneath its twisted branches is more than sightseeing - it’s a chance to feel the weight of centuries, the hum of nature, and the heartbeat of Montenegro’s traditions.It’s a reminder of how closely people and the land are bound, standing like an old oak that’s quietly watched centuries of change.The Old Olive Tree in Bar stands as living proof of nature’s grit and the Mediterranean’s deep-rooted heritage, its gnarled bark twisting like time itself.If you’re exploring Montenegro, don’t miss this spot-it blends rich history with a calm, almost hushed atmosphere, framed by the region’s rugged mountains.
