In northern Lebanon, in the Batroun region, you can find a city named Bchaaleh. The city’s original Syrian name was ‘Beit Chaali’, which means that it is a place of glorification and adoration. This city was erected over the ruins of a Phoenician fortress destroyed by the Romans.

The most ancient olive trees on the planet can be found in Bchaaleh. There are 16 in total, and have been witness to all the great changes that have occurred throughout the 6000 years of their existence. Some historians refer to these olive trees as Noah’s olive trees.

These olive trees, located 1300 meters above sea level, would have been the olive trees planted at the highest altitude in antiquity. After the Great Flood, when Noah sent the Dove off to fly in search of land, it is said to have found the Bchaaleh olive trees. Then, it took one of its branches in its beak and flew back to Noah, which made it clear to him that the flood had ended.

Noah’s olive trees are a big tourist attraction, and the Lebanese ministry of tourism and culture has classified them as a natural heritage site and one of grand national importance.

Nature has allowed these olive trees, which are survivors of the Great Flood and witness to an infinite number of climatic changes and diseases, to continue their existence and to still be able to delight us with the greatest gift they could ever give to us, EVOO. Bchaaleh and its olive trees are without doubt a place worthy of great adoration and glorification.