Living Landmark: The Oldest Tree in Cyprus
Cyprus boasts numerous man-made landmarks, constructed by various civilizations across different eras. But there is also a natural one — and it's alive!
The Oldest Tree in Cyprus
This tree is not only the oldest in the Republic of Cyprus, but also on the entire island, including the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. It is also one of the oldest trees in the world.
We are talking about a pistachio tree in the village of Apesia, and its age is — attention — around 1,500 years. Written out: one and a half thousand years! This means it has witnessed the Arab conquest of the island, the Byzantine era, and the Crusaders.
The tree is called the Mt. Atlas mastic tree or wild pistachio. In Latin — Pistacia atlantica, and the Greek-Cypriots call it "tremithos." Below is a picture of the tree's habitat.
Interesting fact: The resin of this tree species is known as Cypriot turpentine or Cypriot balm and is used to make chewing gum in the Paphos region. It is known as “Paphos gum.”
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- This particular tree is 10 meters tall with a trunk circumference of 6.8 meters.
How to Get to the Oldest Tree in Cyprus
The Tremithos tree is located in the village of Apesia, a few dozen kilometers north of Limassol, on the southern slope of the Troodos Mountains.
By Car
Drive along the main road towards Troodos — B8. Near the Church of St. Irene, turn right onto F812, and then keep right following the sign to the village of Alesia onto Agias Zonis Road. For those driving, the location on the map is below the text, coordinates: 34.78905763472331, 32.98007533420488.
A taxi will cost around 40-50 euros, so it makes sense to rent a car. For example, through Localrent, you can rent a car in Cyprus for 20 euros per day.
By Bus
From Limassol, take bus No. 65 from the EMEL Bus Station Leontiou A to the village of Apesia. The final stop is the Agia Zoni Church, 150 meters from the tree.
What to See Near the Oldest Tree in Cyprus
In the same village, you will find Apesia Hills Farm — a park where you can ride and feed donkeys. Children will especially enjoy this.
There is also a paintball club, Paintball In Action, located near the turn-off to Paramytha before reaching the village. You can find contact details in our article about paintball in Cyprus.
For those interested in various shows, there is a concert venue, Zante Venue, on the main road. Check our Cyprus events calendar to plan your visit so you can catch a show on your way back.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Trees of Cyprus
Are there similar trees in the northern part of the island?
Yes, in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, there are also old trees — mainly olive trees, but they are younger than our heroine — around 700-800 years old. After the 2020 fire, few of them remain, but you can still find some. Here’s where you can find them.
What other similar trees are there in Cyprus?
A tree of the same species, but slightly younger — just over 1,000 years old — grows in the village of Simou, between Paphos and the southwestern slopes of the Troodos Mountains. There is also a laurel tree of about the same age in the village of Omodos.
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Author
Born and raised in Yekaterinburg, visited more than 40 countries, lived in the USA for some time, and in 2022, moved to Northern Cyprus. Education: Ural State University (now Ural Federal University), Faculty of Political Science and Sociology. Professional Experience: Since 2008, worked in the…