Vouves is a settlement near Kolymbari in Chania in the west part of Crete. It is located at an altitude of 230m and it consists of two parts: Kato (down) Vouves and the further inland Pano (upper) Vouves.
The attraction of the Pano village is the Ancient Olive Tree, probably one of the oldest olive trees in the world. Visited by approximately 20.000 people every year from all over the world, it still produces olives today. Scientists from the University of Crete have estimated it to be 4,000 years old. A possible indicator of its age is the two cemeteries from the Geometric Period discovered near the tree. The trunk has a perimeter of 12.5 m and a diameter of 4.6 m.
In 1997, the tree was declared a protected natural monument, and in October 2009, the Olive Tree Museum of Vouves was inaugurated in a nearby 19th-century house, displaying the traditional tools and process of olive cultivation.
Branches from the tree were used to weave victors' wreaths for the winners of the 2004 Athens Olympics and the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
There are at least ten more monumental olive trees in this area. This fact testifies to the long-standing relationship between the residents of this area with the olive tree that dates back to antiquity.
There is a taverna opposite the tree, run by a local family and is open during the summer months. The lively fishing village of Kolymbari stays open all year round, is just a 12 minute drive and has all types of amenities to offer such as super markets, pharmacy, doctors, post office, restaurants, shops, bakery, cafes, local transportation, school, entrance/exit to the highway, a harbor and many more.
It's a less than 10 minutes/5 km drive to the pebbles beaches of Kamisiana and Tavronitis.
The historic city center of Chania is a just a 25 minute drive while Chania airport is a 50 minute drive.
