Corfu is covered in a sea of olive trees, stretching across hills, valleys and coastlines. Nearly two thirds of the island is cloaked in groves that shimmer silver-green under the sun. These trees are not just scenery. They are part of Corfu’s identity, many of them hundreds of years old, with trunks carved by time and branches that have sheltered generations.
The Venetians played a major role in shaping this landscape. From the 14th century onward they encouraged and often required locals to plant olive trees. By the 18th century, millions of trees were growing across the island, producing oil that supplied both Corfu and the markets of Venice. What visitors walk through today is not just nature but a cultural inheritance.
The dominant variety is the Lianolia, tall and slender, with small fruit that yields an aromatic and slightly peppery oil. It thrives in Corfu’s humid climate, where other varieties would suffer. This oil is central to local cuisine, enriching traditional dishes and defining the taste of Corfu.
Walking through the groves can feel like entering a natural cathedral. The trunks twist into sculptural shapes, some hollow yet still alive, others so wide that several people could circle them hand in hand. Light filters through the leaves, scattering across stone paths and wild herbs. In spring the ground is covered with flowers, while in autumn nets are spread beneath the branches in preparation for the harvest.
The olive harvest remains a family affair. Nets are laid, olives beaten down with long poles, laughter and songs mixing with the steady rhythm of work. At midday meals are shared under the trees, often with bread dipped in the season’s first oil. For many families this is as much tradition as necessity, binding generations together through shared labor.
Some trees are spoken of as if they were ancestors. Locals will point out specific groves where their families worked for centuries, trees that survived storms and wars. A few are estimated to be more than five hundred years old. These trees are witnesses, standing quietly as the island changed hands from Venetians to French, British and finally to modern Greece.
The groves are also alive with wildlife. Owls nest in hollows, hoopoes flash their wings between branches, hedgehogs rustle in the undergrowth. In the stillness of the midday heat, cicadas sing their endless chorus. The groves are ecosystems as well as cultural landmarks, blending the natural with the human.
Beyond their economic value, olive trees carry spiritual weight. Olive oil blesses baptisms and church ceremonies. Olive branches symbolize peace. Old stories tell of trees that guard families or protect villages. Whether or not one believes in such tales, the atmosphere beneath ancient branches feels sacred.
Today, efforts are underway to protect and preserve Corfu’s olive heritage. Some producers have turned to organic farming, others invite visitors on olive tours and tastings, combining tourism with education. There are also initiatives to register and safeguard the oldest trees as natural monuments, ensuring they will be appreciated for generations to come.
Exploring Corfu’s groves is an immersion in both nature and culture. It can be a leisurely walk shaded by silver leaves, a taste of oil that carries centuries of history, or a quiet pause beside a trunk older than memory. In the presence of these trees, the island reveals one of its most authentic and enduring faces.
