Reg.Nr. HA-2014/ES/20

The historical Landscape of the Sénia's Ancient Olive Trees, North East Spain

Ancient olive trees can be found all over southern Europe, but a particular concentration in the area of El Sénia, in North East Spain, is the location of this project. The location lies at the intersection of three ancient kingdoms (Aragon, Valencia and Catalonia), and contains ...
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Project details

Title:The historical Landscape of the Sénia's Ancient Olive Trees, North East Spain
Entr. year: 2014
Result:Award
Country: Spain
Category type: landscape, historic parks and gardens
Notes:Sites designations: 1. Arión ancient olive tree museum (Ulldecona) 2. Pou del Mas ancient olive tree museum (La Jana) 3. Area of ancient olive trees in Alcanar 4. Area of ancient olive trees in Canet lo Roig 5. Area of ancient olive trees in Vinaròs
Building type/ Project type: Cultural/Natural landscape
Former use:Cultivation of indigenous varieties of olive trees by using of non-intensive farming systems
Actual use:Conservation of the traditional cultivation methods of olive trees
Architect / Proj.leader: Organisation Taula del Sénia Commonwealth
The Jury's citation: "The Jury, like most people, was genuinely moved by the photographs of these wonderful trees, and was delighted to recognise the efforts so nobly made to ensure their conservation by the wide range of participants. There are of course many plantations of ancient olives in other areas of Spain and other Mediterranean countries, but this particular group of unusually fine specimens has found a means to protect as much as possible its precious and fortunate inheritance."
GPS:Various
Web, Links:

www.aceiteolivosmilenarios.com/

Description:
Ancient olive trees can be found all over southern Europe, but a particular concentration in the area of El Sénia, in North East Spain, is the location of this project. The location lies at the intersection of three ancient kingdoms (Aragon, Valencia and Catalonia), and contains some 4700 monumental trees of the Farga variety, which produce an oil of special quality. In part they run alongside, and their planting may date back to the Roman Via Augusta. The origin of the olive is at least Phoenician/Roman, and may be earlier. These specimens have survived for an amazing length of time and still produce excellent oil. The aim of the project was to secure protection for this remarkable survival: the trees themselves and the landscape of stone walls and enclosed fields they generate. The dangers they face have included uprooting for replacement with citrus crops, or the planting of fastergrowing varieties, or even, amazingly, wholesale uprooting to become ornaments in the gardens of the rich. The campaign for their protection has brought together an extraordinary variety of supporters, from local and national government to conservancy bodies, land-owners, oil mills, restaurants, university departments and of course the local public.