In some regions of Italy, it is not uncommon to come across majestic olive trees dating back more than a thousand years. Their huge diameters, twisted trunks and shapes molded through centuries enchant tourists while assuming a symbolic meaning for local communities as part of collective memories and traditions.

Silent witnesses to history, these giants represent a remarkable example of nature’s resilience, capable of surviving frost, drought, wildfire and lightning, which has been known to split tree trunks in two. Yet, in some conditions, they can bear fruit for hundreds of years, yielding precious oil.