We entered the compound only to be told that the monk with the key to the garden was resting. We were extremely disappointed but, not to be put off, I asked one of the staff if he knew about the tree. He immediately took out a key, walked us to the garden gate, and pointed in the general direction of the tree which, he said, had been tested by Italian experts and dated to over 2000 years.
After wandering for about 100 yards along a dry and thorny trail we came upon an amazing site: our 2000 year old olive tree!
As we approached we started to realise how large the tree really was.
At over 8 meters (25 feet) in circumference, this tree was truly a magical thing to behold and we knew we were in the presence of something very special.
An intricate network of roots snaked their way down the tree and we were embraced in it's long arms.
We spent half an hour enchanted by this magnificent tree - a truly spiritual experience
Photos courtesy of Margie Willensky
