Park activities

On this day, November 26, the world celebrates World Olive Tree Day, proclaimed by UNESCO to emphasize the importance of the olive as a symbol of peace, wisdom, and unity, and to encourage its protection and preservation. This year, the International Olive Council (IOC) dedicates the day to the 30th anniversary of the official publication of the Mediterranean Diet Pyramid, highlighting its impact on global health and cultural heritage.

The Mediterranean diet, with extra virgin olive oil at the top of its food pyramid, stands out as a model of healthy eating. At the International Conference on Virgin Olive Oil and Health (Jaén, Spain, 2018), it was concluded that extra virgin olive oil, as part of the Mediterranean diet, should be the primary source of dietary fats due to its beneficial health effects and sustainable production practices.

The olive tree (Olea europaea L.) is a gnarled, branched tree belonging to the Oleaceae family, naturally thriving in regions with a Mediterranean climate characterized by warm, mild winters. It is best known for its fruit, the olive, a commercially significant product in the Mediterranean region as a raw material for olive oil production.

In addition to its central role across the Mediterranean, the olive holds special significance in Croatia’s natural and cultural heritage, as evidenced by the olive trees on the Brijuni Islands. In Brijuni, the olive trees vary in age, from those planted in recent times to those growing in forests believed to be remnants of ancient olive groves. The exact number of such "wild" trees remains unknown, as they blend naturally with other forest vegetation, contributing to biodiversity preservation.

Olive oil production on Veliki Brijun dates back to Roman times, evidenced by archaeological remains of olive processing facilities in the Byzantine castrum, the Roman villa in Verige Bay, and the hill of Kolica. The villa in Verige Bay once housed up to 60 dolium—large ceramic vessels for oil storage—with a total capacity of 1,800 liters. Even then, Istrian olive oil was highly valued and exported to distant parts of the Roman Empire.

One of the oldest olive trees in Croatia and the Mediterranean, our "Old Olive Tree," is a true living monument to nature and history. Its height is measured at 6 meters, with a canopy spanning 22 x 8 meters. For many years, this olive tree has stood witness to the island's stories and changes, serving as a living monument promoting biodiversity, natural and cultural heritage, and the preservation of natural resources.

This year, the fruit of this ancient olive tree, along with other trees on Veliki Brijun, was harvested manually through the dedicated work of our staff. Ecological production on the island ensures high-quality extra virgin olive oil through environmentally friendly methods that do not harm the nature, promoting sustainable practices aimed at nature conservation by Brijuni National Park.

The oil obtained from the Old Olive Tree, along with that from other Brijuni olives, is used to educate and promote the principles of ecological and sustainable production. This continues the tradition in Brijuni National Park, connecting history, nature, and contemporary environmental stewardship.

Sources:

• UNESCO World Olive Tree Day
• International Olive Oil Council - World Olive Day 2024
• Expert Manual, Brijuni National Park
• Aparicio, R., & Harwood, J. (2013). Handbook of Olive Oil: Analysis and Properties. DOI link
• Koprivnjak, O. (2006). Djevičansko maslinovo ulje: od masline do stola, MIH
  
  

Photos: Đeni Pilar and Alena Sprčić
Text: Dora Klisović