The “Mother” -Olive tree of Kalamata

Kalamata is known for its olives and its rich olive oil production. A dominant element in the vegetation of the area is the olive trees that are the first thing you can see when you enter Messinia! Within them, however, stands out a tree, a real monument of nature, 800 (maybe 1700) years!
The “Kalamon” varietal plant, the 14-meter-long Mother-Olive of Kalamata, is the “unknown” symbol of our city that stands for hundreds or thousands of years, reminding everyone of the close relationship between Kalamata and the olive !

This particular olive tree is located on a plot of the University of Peloponnese (former plot of the Agricultural Education Center – RCEGA – Kalamata) on 85 Lakoniki Str. And was declared a “Nature Conservation Monument” under the decision of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of 200995/7950/1979 Decree No 121 / TD / 1980.

The trunk’s perimeter is around nine meters and its age is estimated to be between 800-850 years (and according to a survey by the Messinian forestologist Dr. Panagiotis Bazigos it can reach 1733 years.

The “mother-olive”, as it is called, is not representative of the variety “Kalamata aethocholia” which is considered to be the parent plant of the Kalamon variety with its large leaves and the large oval long fruit that reminds almond or berry Grape vines.

According to the history of the city, in the period of the Revolution and in particular in 1826, Ibrahim was carrying out the destruction and looting of villages in the Peloponnese. Destruction of agricultural production, burning of crops, eradication of fruit trees and olive trees. All the olive trees had been eradicated, and only that olive tree remained untouched. All of them then began to take their own branches and re-plant olive trees. It is believed that all olives originate from it. The olive, like any other tree multiplied by cuttings (branch roots), can be considered immortal.

The Mother – Olive of Kalamata can be the symbol of the city, the monument that may be a trademark of the city. Our city is in any way connected to the olive and oil world. Thus, the emergence of this unique Natural Monument as a symbol of Kalamata, we believe that it will strengthen its image and give it a truly “brand name”.