The Millennial Holm Oak is a historic specimen of the species Quercus ilex (holm oak), designated a Natural Monument by the Department of the Environment of the Regional Government of Andalusia. Located in the hamlet of Los Llanos de Don Juan, in the municipality of Rute (Córdoba), this tree was considered one of the oldest in Andalusia and a natural symbol of the Subbética region. With an estimated age of around 450 years, its trunk measured more than 6.40 meters in circumference at the base, and its total height reached 17.50 meters, with a canopy measuring 29×21 meters in diameter that cast a shadow covering 600 square meters. Although it was a nominee for Spain’s Tree of the Year contest, on December 29, 2021, half of the tree collapsed to the ground due to the passage of time and the weight of its branches, and in 2026, the complete collapse of what remained standing was confirmed, bringing to an end its existence as a living symbol of the region. From the observation point, visitors can appreciate the geological context of the Sierras Subbéticas and the historical significance of the site, where the Battle of Martín González took place in 1483, during which Christian troops captured the last king of Granada, Boabdil “El Chico.” Its designation as a Natural Monument and its inclusion in hiking guides such as the “Millennial Holm Oak Trail” in the Sierras Subbéticas Natural Park confirm its ecological and cultural value. The best time to visit is during spring or fall, when weather conditions are most favorable for a leisurely stroll through the fields of the Subbética.
