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ELCHE-COSTA BLANCA
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.
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