Story and legend of the olive

The olive tree was one of the first plants that have been cultivated. Its appearance can be traced back to the Paleolithic period, about twelve thousand years before Christ.

The origin of the olive tree is the area between Armenia, Turkestan and the Pamir. Coming from this region, extending to the west it has populated all over the Mediterranean. Three thousand years before Christ it reached already cultivated Phoenicia and Palestine. The Jews used olive oil for the ever burning light of the holy tabernacle.

Also the Egyptians practiced the cultivation of olive trees for food purposes as well as for the manufactoring of cosmetic products and perfumes. To Italy the olive tree was brought by Greek colonists. In all Mediterranean cultures it became symbol of peace, wisdom and prosperity. It characterizes the splendid regions of the south and turns green the hills of the Mediterranean world in an inimitable way.

Umbria and the Tuscany are full of marvellous centuries old olive trees with their wriggled trunks. It is this plant, that is considered in a certain way holy, from which you win the oil - valuable and nutricios condiment, that was discovered by coincidence squashing a handful of olives. Today the olive tree as well as its fruit, the valuable oil have become essential elements of the Mediterranean culture and earned attention attracting success all over the world.