The olive tree has marked by its presence, not only the landscape, but also the daily life of the Mediterranean people. As a mythical and sacred tree, it is associated with their rituals and customs and has influenced their way of life, creating a millenary civilization, the “civilization of the olive tree”. The Routes of the Olive Tree follow the footsteps of this civilization, from Greece to the Black Sea through the entire Mediterranean basin
The Routes of the Olive Tree are itineraries aimed at promoting intercultural dialogue and heritage enhancement through the theme of the olive tree, a universal symbol of peace.
In 2005, the ‘Routes of the Olive Tree’ were certified as a Cultural Route of the Council of Europe.
This certification allows the ‘Routes of the Olive Tree’ to act as a gateway to new cooperation between territories and brings together organizations, Universities and actors of civil society, fellow travelers, scientists, researchers, artisans, producers and artists from several olive-growing countries, as well as Chambers of Commerce, companies and also other Euro-Mediterranean networks …
Through proposals for itineraries to discover the world of the olive tree, exhibitions, cultural events, entrepreneurial meetings, social actions, forums, artistic competitions, research and publications around the olive tree tree (history, symbolism, landscapes, products), the ‘Routes of the Olive Tree’ connect Europe and value one of its common heritage: the olive tree.
To date, our Cultural Route crosses more than 17 Mediterranean countries Greece, Albania, North Macedonia, Turkiye, Bosnia-Erzegovina, Jordan, Cyprus, Italy, Spain, France, Portugal, Lebanon, Morocco, Tunisia, Slovenia, Croatia, Montenegro… and extends even beyond the civilization cradle of the olive tree, the Mediterranean Sea…
