Open-air museum
An olive tree planted during the time of Abderramán II that continues to bear fruit
On the outskirts of La Jana, in an old estate next to the well that gives its name to the area, the olive trees are visited as museum pieces. Within less than a hectare grow 21 millenary olive trees. You leave your car in the car park at the entrance, where there are information panels, and the tour continues on foot with nine signs marking the most outstanding specimens.
The most notable is olive tree no. 117, the Farga del Pou del Mas. According to dating by the Technical University of Madrid, it was planted in the year 833, during the reign of Abderramán II. Very nearby is the so-called olive tree of couples, which in 2014 received the AEMO award for the best monumental olive tree in Spain.
The location is no accident. La Jana's municipal area has 970 millenary olive trees in just 19.5 km², the highest density of these specimens. The town is situated on the ancient Via Augusta, and within its term milestones and remains of Roman villas are still preserved.
These trees have survived to the present day because for centuries they were the main resource of the area. In addition to oil, they provided firewood and leaves to feed goats. The characteristic variety is the farga. Its oil is mild, smells of fresh grass, is sweet to the palate and barely bites.
The estate is private and can be visited thanks to an agreement between its owner and local institutions. You are asked to respect the trees: do not climb them or break off branches.