The Demonstration Olive Grove — 20 Greek varieties in one place

Mana Elia stands within the Demonstration Field of ELGO-DIMITRA (the Hellenic Agricultural Organisation) at Lakonikis 87. Alongside the ancient tree, the site hosts a curated demonstration olive grove maintained by the Institute of Olive, Subtropical Plants & Viticulture (IOSV), whose collection has received official recognition as an International Collection of Olive Varieties from the International Olive Council (IOC).

The grove brings together 20 of the most important and rare Greek olive varieties in a single, walkable space. Visitors can see side by side varieties from across Greece, each labeled and described in Greek and English. Among them are the Koroneiki — Greece's flagship oil variety, with up to 27% oil content; the Mastoidis (also known as Athinolia), an ancient dual-purpose variety from the Peloponnese and Crete; the rare Smertolia from Laconia, which grows even in rocky Krokean soils; the Mavrolia, a traditional Messenian variety prized for both oil and table olives; the Chalkidikis, the country's leading large-fruit table olive; and the Tragolia, a local Kefalonian-Messenian variety with small, intensely flavored fruit. The collection also includes lesser-known regional treasures like the Patrini from Achaia, the Lianolia from Western Greece (rich in phenolic compounds), the Thiaki from Ithaca, and the Atsiholou from the highlands of Arcadia — a rare variety valued for its high oleocanthal content.

Together, they offer a compact open-air overview of Greece's extraordinary olive biodiversity — something rarely seen outside specialized research facilities.

Agroecological installations — biodiversity meets olive farming

Surrounding the grove, a series of agroecological installations demonstrate the role of biodiversity in sustainable olive farming. These include bird nests placed on trunks and poles to host pest-controlling species such as owls and bats; patches of beneficial flora — native herbs and wildflowers that support pollinator populations; stone structures (xerolithia) built from dry-stacked local stone, providing shelter for reptiles and beneficial insects; water bodies designed to collect rainwater and support small mammals, amphibians, and birds; and a pollinator hotel — a constructed habitat made from reeds, wood, and pine cones, offering nesting space for solitary bees and other beneficial insects.

Interpretive panels explain how each element contributes to the olive grove ecosystem: enhanced pest control, improved soil fertility through nutrient cycling, reduced erosion from ground cover, and climate change mitigation through carbon sequestration. The installations reflect a growing international movement toward regenerative agriculture, and they make the scientific case accessible and tangible for visitors of all backgrounds.

Why it deserves a place on your itinerary

Mana Elia is not a museum or a curated attraction — it is a living, breathing piece of Kalamata's identity. The tree connects the city's ancient agricultural heritage to its most globally recognized product, and the surrounding demonstration field turns a visit into a genuine learning experience. For anyone interested in food culture, sustainability, or simply the story behind one of the world's most famous olives, this is an essential stop.

Highlights:

• Estimated to be around 1,700 years old, a protected Monument of Nature since 1980
• The mother tree of the Kalamon (Kalamata) variety, one of the most important table olives worldwide
• According to tradition, the only olive tree in Kalamata to survive the destruction of the Greek War of Independence
• Part of the national Network of Bicentennial Trees of the Greek Revolution
• Demonstration olive grove with 20 rare Greek varieties, maintained by the internationally recognized IOSV of ELGO-DIMITRA
• Agroecological installations showcasing the link between biodiversity and sustainable olive farming

Practical Info:

• Location: ELGO-DIMITRA Demonstration Field, Lakonikis 87, Kalamata
• Hours: July 2 – August 31, 2026  |  Monday to Friday  |  09:00 – 13:00
  Information and group visits: manaelia@elgo.gr
  contact ELGO-DIMITRA for access and guided visit availability
• Admission: Free

• Accessibility: Outdoor, partially unpaved ground
• Tip: Give yourself at least 30 minutes to walk the grove and read the variety labels. It's a rare chance to see the full diversity of Greek olives in one place, from the tiny Koroneiki to the Gaidourelia.