Monumental Olive Trees

Envisioning the ideal Mediterranean idyll and one pictures perfect coastlines, spectacular mountainsides and of course stretches of landscapes lined with historical olive trees.

The “Monumental Olive Trees” may not be the first attraction you consider visiting in NCY, but these gifts of mother natures are certainly overwhelming.

Located in the village of Kalkanli on the North West coast just outside Guzelyurt, these are the most ancient olive trees in NCY, believed to have been planted in the 11th century Lusignan period.

Some 2,000 colossal trees over 700 years in age, this area is one of the most important projects in the Natura 2000 initiative and is under the protection of the European Union.

The area is a living cultural and natural heritage and makes a very popular attraction to visit. Truly a special location, if you enjoy nature and unique sights these majestic trees in the wilderness are definitely a must-do on the list.

Usually on the last Sunday of March each year, the annual “Kalkanli Monumental Olive Trees Walk” is held with the aim of promoting olive trees, their importance to NCY and Turkish Cypriot cultural heritage alike.

Keep up to date with our online events calendar to find out what’s happening on your next visit to North Cyprus.  

Update 20 May 2020

Unfortunately, enormous wildfires that spread on 17 May 2020 have destroyed tens of thousands of acres of crops and forest.

Around 5,000 hectares of farmland and forests were destroyed by these fires and sadly wiped out around 90 percent of the regions 2,000 monumental olive trees.

We have decided not to share the images of the aftermath as we prefer to remember the majority as they were – grand and proud of their heritage.

Those still standing regrettably are now merely neighboured by acres of olive wood ash.

Efforts have already commenced to replace this terrain however this tragic incident has nevertheless wiped out hundreds of years of nature within the space of a few hours and what will be remembered as Black Sunday in the hearts of many locals.