Old Olive Tree (Mirovica)

What is this place

Stara maslina (the Old Olive Tree) is an ancient olive in the Mirovica area by Stari Bar, a landmark of Bar and a popular natural attraction in Montenegro. Local tradition puts its age at over 2,000 years, hence its status as the country’s most famous old olive.

Key features

• Located near Stari Bar – easy to combine with the fortress and aqueduct visit.
• Traditional age claim exceeds two millennia – a strong symbol of local identity.
• One side of the trunk is charred – local folklore attributes this to a match thrown during a card game.
• Small, arranged park – fencing, paths, info boards, and a viewing spot.
• In 2023, the municipality launched conservation measures – drainage and arboricultural care to stop dieback.

What to see

• A massive, hollowed, sculptural trunk.
• A compact fenced garden with young olive trees and information panels.
• Views towards Stari Bar’s slope and the Topolica area.

History

The tree was likely planted in antiquity and long served as a communal landmark and meeting point. Exact dating is not fixed in sources – the locally accepted figure is “over two thousand years”.

In the 20th century, it became a protected natural monument and a tourist symbol of Bar. A popular legend explains the charred trunk as the result of a lit match tossed by card players.

In 2023, parts of the tree showed dieback; an expert commission was formed and engineering works began to improve drainage and growing conditions.

Practical information

Location: Mirovica (Tomba area) near Stari Bar, about 5 km south of modern Bar on the Bar–Ulcinj road and roughly 1 km from the entrance to the Old Town of Bar.

Getting there: drive or take a taxi along the Bar–Ulcinj road and follow signs for Stara Maslina / Old Olive Tree; there is a small free parking area nearby. From Stari Bar you can walk in about 15–20 minutes along the road towards Mirovica.

Access: entrance to the fenced park is ticketed – around €1 for adults and about half that for children; tickets are sold at the small booth by the gate.

Visiting hours: according to the operator (House of Olives), the site is generally open daily from about 08:00 to 18:00; some travel guides mention longer summer hours up to 20:00–21:00, so in the shoulder seasons it is safest to plan within the 08:00–18:00 window.

Visit duration: the park is small; 15–30 minutes is usually enough for a look around, a few photos and a short rest on a bench. Many visitors combine it with Stari Bar or olive-grove tours.

Best time: spring and autumn offer mild weather; in high summer, mornings and late afternoons are more comfortable and less crowded.

Notes: the ground around the trunk is uneven with roots and stones, so comfortable footwear is helpful; it is forbidden to touch or climb into the hollow trunk or break branches. Facilities are minimal apart from the souvenir kiosk and basic amenities.