Ancient Olive Tree Aleixa

Category: Nature > Olive Tree

District: Évora > Mora > Pavia

Location

The Millennial Aleixa Olive Tree is located in the village of Pavia, in the municipality of Mora, integrated into the urban and rural landscape of the locality. It is situated in a publicly accessible square, in a transition zone between the historic center, near the main church, and the area where the old lime kilns once operated.

To visit it, you can go down the street that starts from the village's main square, finding the tree on the left. Its position, slightly set apart from other olive trees found on neighboring private land, gives it a unique presence in the public space.

Roots in Deep History

This olive tree is considered a living testament to a very remote past. Its age is believed to span many centuries, possibly even approaching or exceeding the millennium mark. Its longevity is remarkable, preceding the construction of many castles and monuments that we now consider historic.

To contemplate the Millennial Aleixa Olive Tree is to look at a fragment of natural history that coexisted with countless human generations, resisting the elements and the transformations of the landscape, remaining a connecting element to ancestral times.

The Name and Local Memory

The particular name by which this olive tree is known is shrouded in stories linked to the community's life and an economic activity once fundamental in Pavia: lime production. The village was famous for the excellent quality of its lime, which was transported to various parts of the kingdom.

According to popular tradition, the name "Aleixa" derives from Joana Benedita de Saldanha e Pegas, locally known as Joana Aleixa. Heiress of lime kilns, it is said that this lady used to sit under the shade of this specific olive tree. There, she observed the smoke emanating from the kilns to assess the quality of the lime and, allegedly, received people seeking help, making the tree a point of reference and meeting, and indelibly associating it with her figure.

A Landmark of Pavia's Identity

The Millennial Aleixa Olive Tree transcends its botanical existence to become a symbol of the village of Pavia. It represents resilience, the historical depth of the region, and how natural elements can be bearers of human and economic narratives.

Its presence is an invitation to pause and reflect on the layers of time and history that have accumulated around it. It is a landmark that evokes the work in the old lime kilns, the figures who marked local life, and the continuity of rural life in Alentejo, offering a genuine point of interest for those visiting the village.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt