Elche, Elx as it's know in Valencian, is well-known for its palm grove, the largest in Europe. And yes, it's true, an ocean of palm trees does await you. To date, there are more than 200,000 of the trees over a surface of 430 hectares.
The Phoenicians created the palm grove in the 6th century BC, taking advantage of a warm climate and an ingenious irrigation system.
The female palms produce dates in the winter, and the bleached palms of the male trees are used for handicrafts and in festivals all over the region.
The pruning and upkeep of palm trees that can be as tall as 30 meters requires a very skillful hand. Specialists are needed for the job. These men climb to the tops of the trees to cut off the damaged palms. The specialists are in demand all over the region.
Elche is the third most populous city of the Valencian Region. Elche encompasses the entire range of attractions that the province has to offer its visitors: pre-history, history, natural riches, beaches and the influence of its citizens on culture and traditions are all elements that are worthy of note in this modern, thriving and growing city. Its extensive municipal district is situated between the Sierras del Molar, Tabaià and Castellar and the sea and comprises the fertile irrigated lands of Camp d'Elx, dotted with rural hamlets such as Les Baies, Perleta, Els Bassars, Torrelano, L'Altet and Matola...
The Vinalopó River crosses Elche and a reservoir was built in 1632. Various native species are encountered within the district such as the Elche Poplar and within the municipality is an area declared to be of immense ecological value: the Laguna del Fondo. The former location of Elche, L'Alcudia, is located two kilometres away in the direction of Dolores.
This site contains traces of prehistoric cultures (from Neolithic to Iberian) as well as vestiges from the Romans, the Visigoths and the Moors.
The area is easy to visit, as all buildings are located within a short distance of each other. The Municipal Archaeological Museum is inside the Altamira Palace. Its 300,000 palm trees contribute to Elx's uniqueness and have become a symbol of its identity. These palm trees make up the southernmost and most extensive palm tree grove in Europe and were declared to be a World Heritage Site by the World Heritage Committee of the UNESCO during its meeting of the 30 November 2000.
The Municipal Park is located near the Municipal Tourist Office and provides the space to relax, play or watch open-air performances. Another park to the southeast, the Huerto del Cura (Priest's Garden) is also worth mentioning. In this park you can see the seven-armed palm tree, much admired by the Empress Sissi, and a cactus garden. There are two watchtowers in the palm tree grove surrounding the city: to the north, the Vaïllos de Llanos and to the south, the Ressemblanc. The 12 kilometre coastline of Elx is located 15 minutes from the city.
The coast is divided into two areas of the beaches, those belonging to Altet area and those belonging to the Marina. In the Altet area the Els Arenals del Sol is one of the most frequented beaches and there is also a free beach known as El Carabassí.
The beaches in the Marina are friendly and welcoming, and are surrounded by dunes and pine trees - the El Pinet, La Marina, Les Pesqueres and El Rebollo beaches.
Although Elche can be visited at any time throughout the year, the best period to visit the city is during the month of August when it celebrates fiestas in honour of the Virgin of the Assumption. A medieval lyrical and religious mystery play, the Misteri, is performed at this time and is an event that has recently been declared a World Heritage Event (vocal and nonphysical) by UNESCO.
There are two acts, the Vesprà and the Festa, and the play is performed on the 14th and 15th in the Basilica of Santa María (St Mary).
"El Misteri d'Elx", a Medieval sacred, lyrical drama which stages the death and raising of the Virgin to the skies by means of singing texts. The play, which dates back to the 16th century, attracts every year thousands of visitors to the Church of Saint Mary. The rigourous preservation of the cultural heritage has been recognised by UNESCO as Oral and Intangible Patrimony for the city of Elche.
