Audioguide Elche

The Lady of Elche bust, the palm grove and the Misteri performances have made this Mediterranean oasis a place of world reknown. The visitor to Elche will find a lively city with many places of historic and cultural interest; wide green expanses... leer más

The Lady of Elche bust, the palm grove and the Misteri performances have made this Mediterranean oasis a place of world reknown. The visitor to Elche will find a lively city with many places of historic and cultural interest; wide green expanses lined with palm trees and, beyond its limits, unspoilt landscapes of great ecological worth. The people of Elche, or ilicitanos, live their festivals with passion and actively participate in the organisation of the Misteri performances and the Nit de l’Alba – the festival to their patron – to name but a few.

Further, the wide beaches of fine sand in their surroundings of great beauty, the Mediterranean gastronomy with its Arabic origins, the commerce and the active tourism, converge to make a varied destination of great quality.

The Moorish Palace, also known as the Palace of Altamira, is of Arabic origin dating from the 11th century, and is located within a walled enclosure which covered some 6 hectares and conserves some remains of its walls, watch towers, moat and the... leer más

The Moorish Palace, also known as the Palace of Altamira, is of Arabic origin dating from the 11th century, and is located within a walled enclosure which covered some 6 hectares and conserves some remains of its walls, watch towers, moat and the remains of its barbican.

The Treaty of Almizra in 1244, divided up the reconquered territory of the Kingdom of Murcia between the Castilians and the Aragonese. The Arabic stronghold was within the Castilian area and it was around 1250 when the still ‘infante’ – or child heir to the throne – later to be known as Alfonso the 10th or Alfonso the Wise – peacefully subdued the city which passed into Christian hands. The lordship was then commended to his brother, the ‘infante’ Juan Manuel, who found his place in history as one of the literary greats of the Castilian language.

A Muslim uprising supported by the Moorish king of Granada led the king to ask for aid from the Aragonese Jaime the 1st, who in 1265, thanks to his talented negotiations, reached an agreement with the rebels and took the city of Elche without force, and being from that moment on resettled by the Navarrese and Aragonese. It was then that the Christians occupied the Moorish fortress, since in the capitulation agreement the Muslims had to surrender the fortified area and transfer the Moorish quarters to the southern outskirts.

The museum is located in the centre of the Altamira Palace, and also known as the Alcàsser de la Senyoria, occupying the entire fortress and the first floor of an underground car park built in the area behind the fortress. The Museum of... leer más

The museum is located in the centre of the Altamira Palace, and also known as the Alcàsser de la Senyoria, occupying the entire fortress and the first floor of an underground car park built in the area behind the fortress. The Museum of Archaeology and History of Elche takes us through the history of the city from its origins to the present day, presented in an interactive and personal fashion.

The renovated museum is an undertaking destined to provide the city with a cultural establishment of the highest order which permanently establishes the value and wealth of the architectural and historical patrimony of Elche.

The conception of the renovated museum, which reflects a great respect for the trajectory developed over the course of more than 40 years by the Municipal Museum of Archaeology “Alejandro Ramos Folqués”, has acquired notable prestige within the framework of Spanish archaeological research.

In concept, this single museum is divided into 2 sections; that of the archaeological section and that of the historical section. The first deals with the origins of Elche to the end of the Visigoth era and the arrival of the first Arabic settlers, and the second begins with the founding of the new city by the Muslims up to the day.

In the ‘Trapalacio’ area, there are a large number of excellent archaeological pieces dating from the Neolithic to the late-antiquity period, with special relevance given to the Iberian legacy in the collection.

The fortress, which allows the Almohade wall to be seen, houses the historical section. On the floors of the east wing there is an exhibition of selected pieces, which span the period from the 13th century to the present day. In the lower halls the period on display falls between the Christian conquest in the 13th century and the 17th century, while the last 3 centuries are on display on the upper floor.

The building itself helps in contributing to the dialogues that unveil the most relevant historic episodes in the lifetime of the city.

After the Spanish Civil War, the municipal government saw the need to provide the city with a park in order to spread out the local population. The orchard area known as El hort de Colomer, located between the Vinalopó river and the train... leer más

After the Spanish Civil War, the municipal government saw the need to provide the city with a park in order to spread out the local population. The orchard area known as El hort de Colomer, located between the Vinalopó river and the train station, was chosen to be become the park land, with other orchards being added over time.

It is of interest that the church, the Virgen de la Asunción, held ownership of the land acquired. This is explained by the last will and testament of 1661 made by Don Nicolás Caro, who after becoming a widower was ordained, a priest. His last will was that his granddaughter, Isabel Caro, inherit his estate by entailment, including the ‘Royal’ orchard, houses, water and other possessions. Also however, it was stipulated that on breaking the line of family succession, as occurred at the beginning of the 18th century, the entailment would be passed over to the Virgin Mary for perpetuity, under the advocacy of the Virgen de la Asunción church. The Bishop of Orihuela, now under ‘divine’ ownership administered these lands, until the year 1841.

The release of the estate meant the forced expropriation of numerous clerical properties, however the determined stance of the people of Elche avoided the property owned by the divine Virgin being disaffected, although legal disputes carried on for many years. Since 1953, the legacy of Don Nicolás Caro is managed by the archpriest of the church of Santa María, the Mayor of Elche and an administrator.

The small building popularly know as ‘the egg’, is the only remaining construction from the exhibition held here by the area in 1946, and which signalled the start of the garden landscaping, the laying out of paths and the building of decorative structures. Since the year 2003, this building has served as the reception center for visitors. With the use of touch-screens and film projections, a complete introduction to the city is given

The park has been witness to several generations of playing children from Elche, having several attractions such as the dove cot, from the 1980s, which reminds us of the old orchard area, or ‘huerto del Colomer’, which in Spanish means ‘the orchard of the dove cot’. Dating from the same time is the music pavilion, an essential addition given the strong musical traditions in Elche. It is also the stage of the dominical concerts held here sporadically, given by the municipal band, ‘Ciudad de Elche’.

The largest stream leaves from the pond and divides the park in two. It was used to move the machinery of the Molí Real, a mill from the 18th century whose operator would charge by keeping a portion of the flour he ground. This portion is known as ‘la maquila’.

The ‘El hort de Baix’ area is at a lower level than the municipal park and borders the river with the ‘hort del Xocolater’ area, which hosts the enacted nativity scene at Christmas, and which in July hosts the Elche Film Festival, with open air showings of short films.

As we leave the park, we pass the Municipal Tourist Office, which occupies an original building, of oriental style, which once housed an electricity transformer. The office, which has been designated a ‘Q’ for ‘quality’ is a good place to start to get to know the city of Elche.

The importance of the minor archpriest basilica of Santa María is owing to its architecture, its being the city’s main church and for the performances of the drama ‘Misteri d’Elx’. Indeed, the plans were made with the intention of hosting... leer más

The importance of the minor archpriest basilica of Santa María is owing to its architecture, its being the city’s main church and for the performances of the drama ‘Misteri d’Elx’. Indeed, the plans were made with the intention of hosting this grand performance, which has been uninterruptedly celebrated since the Middle Ages, and to which we will refer back to later.

It was originally the main mosque of the Arabic fortified city, but after the reconquest it was consecrated and dedicated to Santa María – or ‘Saint Mary’. This first church was demolished and reconstructed at the beginning of the 14th century. However, approaching the year 1492 it was destroyed, leading to a new church being built, which served its purpose until 1672, when, in the words of the church chapters ‘the heavy rains that fell caused the collapse of the vaults’.

To pay for a new construction taxes were imposed, shops paid rental and tobacco sales were monopolized. The town itself gave donations, which, only one year after the misfortune, allowed the first stone to be laid. The work was carried out under the instruction of Francisco Verde, who established his residence in the town and enjoyed special privileges.

Once the section, which goes from the main entrance to the nave-transept crossing, was completed, the tabernacle and the figure of the Ascension were returned, which up to then had been kept in the hermitage of San Sebastian. The architectural work was not finished until 1727, this being the year in which the spire on top of the tiled cupola was put in place. This still left the walls and shrines to be decorated – work in which artists and artisans both local and foreign took part – until its consecration in 1784.

On the exterior it is the sturdiness of the construction, with its squared plan and its iridescent blue cupola, which stand out. The easterly facing entrance is the most arresting and is considered to be one of the jewels of Valencian Barroc. It was executed in 1682 by the sculptor Nicolás de Bussi, who drew upon one of the most colorful moments of the Misteri performance, that of the Asencion of the Virgin.

The bell tower is also of note, being of solid bearing and of 3 levels. 4 windows allow us to see its 4 bells, baptized with the names of Ave María, Dijuny, Bárbara y María de la Asunción. Until 1792 the tower was crowned with a wooden giant known as the Giraldo who carried an iron cross. The imprudence of the bell ringer, who one cold Christmas night lit a fire to keep warm, destroyed the colossal effigy.166 steps lead to the point from where one of the best views of the city of Elche and its surroundings can be enjoyed. From the top of this tower is where the ‘grand palm tree of the Virgin’ is let off – serving as the highpoint of the fabulous firework display of the Nit de l`Albà celebration – and forming part of the festivities to celebrate the Asunción de la Virgen (or asension of the virgin) which takes place every 13th of August. This celebration goes back to the 17th century and enjoys broad popular participation. Friends and family join together on their terraces, eat watermelon, and after 11 o’clock at night begin the lights, the clammer and whistles which suddenly give way to silence and darkness. It is then that the song of the Misteri performance begins, ‘Gloria Patri et Filio’ and the popular song known as “Aromas ilicitanos”.

Two sculptural groups on each side of the basilica depict on the one hand the Virgin Mary with Mary Salome and Mary Magdalene, and on the other the ‘Ternari’ group – which are the three apostles who are answering to the call of the Virgin.

Located next to the communion chapel is the Museum of the Virgin, where the story of the figure of the patron of the city is told through pieces of sculpture, gold and silver work, paintings and a rich collection of textiles.

In front of the basilica we find the tower of Calahorra, which was the main defensive wall in medieval times. It was used to defend the now lost Lucentina gate on the way to Alicante. It dates from the 12 and 13th century, and in its current state the numerous alterations it has suffered over the course of time can be appreciated, such as the battlements and windows in the neo-mudejar style of the 19th century. It now stands at a height of 15 meters although it was higher than 25 meters at one time. The 1829 earthquake, which affected numerous buildings in Elche, caused damage to the tower with two upper sections falling. Inside, original frescos can be seen from the beginning of the 20th century. The ground floor, inspired by the Egyptian style, was the meeting place for the Masonic Lodge, founded in Elche in 1858. The Calahorra is public property and numerous cultural activities are organized there.

Next to the tower is the grain store, built in 1442, which was also where the flour was weighed.

Corredora Street passes alongside La Glorietta Square. It starts by the palace-home of Jorge Juan, a barroc building of the 18th century, which belonged to the mathematician and mariner Jorge Juan Santacilia, and ends in the Baix Square. This... leer más

Corredora Street passes alongside La Glorietta Square. It starts by the palace-home of Jorge Juan, a barroc building of the 18th century, which belonged to the mathematician and mariner Jorge Juan Santacilia, and ends in the Baix Square. This street was the Alicante-Crevillente route for the train known as ‘Chicharra’ – or ‘bush cricket’ between 1904 and 1910. After the reforms made in the 90s, it continued to be the main shopping route just as La Glorietta is the centre for life in Elche. Its building was instigated by the local bourgeoisie on land that had been home to the Convent of Saint Clare, founded in the 16th century, after the convent suffered serious damage due to a storm in 1853. Some years before, in 1836, the town council had already relocated the nuns to the Convento de la Merced – or Convent of Mercy, thanks to a property exchange. In 1891 the final demolition was ordered, but only after having served as a school, circus and even as a bullring. The old convent left space for the building of a public garden known as Doctor Campello, the doctor and surgeon that was owner of the holding where the world renowned Lady of Elche had been found, and which was displayed on the balcony of his house in the square. Nowadays, there is a copy of the celebrated effigy in the middle of the square.

The Lady of Elche is an Iberian bust sculpted from stone dating from between the 5th and 4th century BC which probably had a burial-related function. This is deduced from the cavity in the back of the stone which would have been used for placing liturgical objects or ashes in memory of the deceased. The clothing and jewellery of the woman depicted pay witness to her social importance in the community of the Iberian settlement known as Helike, according to the Greek denomination, and which was the seed of current day Elche.

On the back of the copy of the sculpture of the Lady of Elche, the coat of arms of the city can be seen, which reminds us of the importance that Elche had as a roman colony, with the right to mint coins and charge taxes.

Returning to the square, for many years there has been a casino here, but it has recently been transferred to another location. The casino is the oldest chaired society in Elche; members with an illustrious, intellectual and liberal profile founded it in 1873, coinciding with the establishment of the first Republic. It was here that they would meet for informal conversation, and get caught up in passionate political and cultural discussions, or discussions of any kind, albeit sometimes simply to play.

Also in the square is the Grande Theatre, inaugurated in 1920, and originally called the Kursal, after the alleyway of the same name that gives access to the theatre. A circus was previously found on this site. After being converted into a cinema, it was acquired by the town hall, which restored it in order to return it to its original function as a theatre.

In the center of the square there is a fountain with an angel holding a palm leaf, alluding to the Misteri performance. This fountain and its predecessor have been witness to sporting events and festivals for generations. The square protagonises in the dressing up of the children in Carnival and at Christmas, when a large municipal nativity scene is laid out, and during the performances that take place in the Medieval Festival. The tiles, which brighten the square with their colour in the area with the sculpture of the Lady of Elche, have been laid down using the technique known as ‘trencadis’ – that is using broken pieces of tile of different shapes and colour.

The construction of the 4 towers of buildings and the paving of the square started to define the appearance of this meeting place for the people of Elche. The Congress Centre, with a capacity for 450 people in its main hall, is a driving force for... leer más

The construction of the 4 towers of buildings and the paving of the square started to define the appearance of this meeting place for the people of Elche. The Congress Centre, with a capacity for 450 people in its main hall, is a driving force for the tourism of Elche. The principal function of the building is holding congresses, trade fairs, product promotions and cultural exhibitions. The square itself can offer an extension to the center if the event so requires.

In the same square we find the Dama de Flores – or Lady of Flowers, which was made in 2006, and is one of the other ‘Ladies’ inspired by the real sculpture that was exhibited in Elche in the same year. As a plant sculpture, it changes as it grows, or the plants and flowers change.

The museum of the palm grove is found in the house of the orchard of San Plácido, built in the 19th century, with two buildings joined by a wooden passage. The palm grove causes jobs to be created such as that of the elaboration of the white palm... leer más

The museum of the palm grove is found in the house of the orchard of San Plácido, built in the 19th century, with two buildings joined by a wooden passage. The palm grove causes jobs to be created such as that of the elaboration of the white palm leaf, the harvest of fruit, or the work that the maintenance of the palm grove itself requires. A visit to the museum helps us to understand and value this. The first section takes us through the history of the palm grove; the second is dedicated to the orchards, the third to the palm grove as a human heritage, and lastly, a workshop where how to work the palm tree can be seen.

Elche is the world leader in palm tree production, with approximately 200.000 smooth-leafed palms. Immediately after the leaf harvest, the weaving of the palm leaves that decorate balconies and churches in Elche and many other places around the world for the festivities of Palm Sunday takes place.

The work of the white palm leaf consist of tying up leaves of the palm tree such that they receive no sunlight and become white. Palm trees are basically commercialized in this way for Palm Sunday, and can have either smooth of ruffled leaves. The latter are worked by hand to create decorations of great beauty.

The work of the white palm leaf begins at the start of the year. The palm tree cultivator climbs to the top of the palm tree with a hemp or yute rope wrapped around his waist and the trunk. The youngest leaves of the male variety of the tree – since the female trees are reserved for the harvest of dates – are collected together and tied such that the light can’t get in and activate the chlorophyll. In summer the tips of the palms are covered, and then in January the harvest starts and lasts until just days before Easter. Then whitening is carried out with water and bleach and then storage in chambers with water and sulphur keeps the palm leaves in perfect conditions.

It is well worth a trip around the San Plácido grove, with its 15.000m2 surface area, over 1000 palm trees and other regularly cultivated trees such as the olive, orange, lemon, grenadine, and carob tree. The poplar, and indigenous species, is also cultivated.

The first mention of the Priest’s Orchard Garden was upon its sale in 1846. At that time Andrés Castaño was the tenant, who years later bought the plot and lived there with his family until his death. The name of ‘Priest’ derives from... leer más

The first mention of the Priest’s Orchard Garden was upon its sale in 1846. At that time Andrés Castaño was the tenant, who years later bought the plot and lived there with his family until his death. The name of ‘Priest’ derives from José, one of Andrés’s sons, who was ordained priest and became the owner of the holding. It then became known as ‘Chaplain Castaño’s Orchard’, which was simplified with time to the Priest’s Orchard Garden.

José Castaño was the vicar of the ‘Church of the Savior’ or ‘Iglesia del Salvador’, and chaplain to the prison and the Convent of Saint Clare. His humble dedication to the orchard led him to renounce positions of greater importance. He built a Chapel in the orchard itself, where he held daily mass. It was he who started the custom of baptizing palm trees with the names of visitors of importance to his house, and instigated the care of the ‘Imperial Palm’, now a grand specimen, and which was at that time known as the ‘Candleabra’.

The conservation of the orchard is equally owing to the dedication of its future owners. Juan Orts Miralles was a prosperous industrialist of a factory that made rope soled sandals, and was also a personal friend of José Castaño. Upon his death the orchard was put up for public auction and was acquired by the businessman. His first son, Juan Orts Román, who had a considerable education in humanities and a great interest in the history of Elche, was the one who transformed the orchard into a recreational garden. It is to his merit that the orchard came to be globally known, and thus indirectly the palm grove of the city of Elche itself. His grave can be found in a chapel in the same orchard,

The original house was like that of any other cultivator, having a porch covered with palm leaves supported on palm trunks which served as columns. Successive owners enlarged upon it adding new buildings, finally resulting in a group of houses with a chapel and apartments. Housed in the apartments is a library with a variety of objects, which are illustrative of the history of Elche and the Valencian community.

In 1894 the orchard received a visit from the empress Elizabeth of Austrian, known as Sissi. The then chaplain wanted to leave a memorial to the visit and commissioned a bust which is still to be seen in the garden, and baptized a palm tree, which since then has been known as the Imperial Palm Tree. It is over 165 years old, which makes it a mature specimen, although not considered as old given that palm trees live for more than 200 years. It has a very characteristic shape, with 7 off shoots, which with time have swollen to become palm trees in their own right, although they are nourished from the central palm. It weight is over 8 tons and is 17 metres high.

Dedicating a palm tree to a distinguished person involves a small ceremony at the foot of the tree in which first the reasons for being worthy of the honour are given, followed by the trunk being bathed in wine and then hugged by he or she being honoured. They then receive the fruits of the tree for as long as they live.

The oasis is a human creation, which has its origins in the desert where groups of people in the form of a tribe are able to develop an agricultural system in a place where it is ostensibly impossible. The agricultural system that makes the oasis... leer más

The oasis is a human creation, which has its origins in the desert where groups of people in the form of a tribe are able to develop an agricultural system in a place where it is ostensibly impossible. The agricultural system that makes the oasis possible is based on the collection of sufficient water and organic material to cultivate the palm tree. Oases are known of as far back as the fourth millennium before Christ in areas of Bahrain, the Persian Gulf, Mesopotamia and along the Nile River.

UNESCO declared the palm grove of Elche human heritage a site in the year 2000, indicating in its declaration that it is a notable example of the transfer of a typical cultural landscape from one continent to another.

The low rainfall, high salt concentrations of the soil and the water in Elche required human intervention to create an irrigation system, which probably existed before the arrival of the Arabic occupation, although it was they that developed a complex agricultural system allowing extensive palm tree cultivation.

The exotic, singular and extraordinary beauty of the palm tree is not the reason for the grove’s existence, but rather its agricultural value. The use in Spanish of the terms ‘hort’ or ‘huerto’, translate as ‘orchard’ and are used instead of ‘grove’ when alluding to its agricultural use and the area in which the trees are found. The grove enjoys special legal protection status, established at the beginning of the 2nd Republic and further underwritten in the law of guardianship of the palm grove of Elche, promulgated by the Valencian Courts in 1986. The ownership of the majority of the orchards is municipal, with paths and open areas allowing visitors and the people of Elche to enjoy this valuable grove.

The date trees, or Phoenix Dactylifera, are a plant with a slim bearing whose trunk is composed of the persisting base of old leaves. The female tree needs the close presence of the male tree and the male flowers in order to produce the dates, which mature in autumn. The name Phoenix was already in use by the Greeks, either because palm trees were seen for the first time in Phoenicia or owing to the similarity the leaves have to the feathers of the mythical bird – the Phoenix.

The date is its tasty and nutritious fruit, and has been eaten by both humans and animals for centuries. Although the present day production is small owing to the expense of the harvest, dates are found in the gastronomy of Elche in the form of typical delicacy or ‘tapa’ in which the date seed is substituted for an almond and the date is then wrapped in fried bacon. It is also used in the confectionary of Arabic origin, ice creams and for liqueurs. New gastronomies have included dates in their recipes and, although they are eaten globally as a dried fruit, in Elche they are found as fresh fruit, giving rise to an endless number of culinary possibilities.

Legend has it that King Jaime 1st, after conquering the city of Elche, was left admiring the immense palm grove and gave a public order banning the felling of any trees. It is not known wether the measure was taken in order to protect the... leer más

Legend has it that King Jaime 1st, after conquering the city of Elche, was left admiring the immense palm grove and gave a public order banning the felling of any trees. It is not known wether the measure was taken in order to protect the environment or in order not to provide the Muslim community that in large part earned their living from agriculture, but either way, it has doubtlessly favoured the preservation of this really fabulous landscape.

The first orchards we find on entering the palm grove are those of Sol, Rogeta, Sempere y Les Almàsseres, which have been planted with young specimens of palm tree. To the left of the path lies the Grove State School, which is an example of how public services have been integrated into the palm grove. On turning and taking the path to the ‘Almazara’ – or oil press – we can see the walls that serve to separate the orchards, some with remains dating from the 19th century.

The history of Elche has always been tied to the exploitation of water, which has been scarce and of low quality owing too its high salinity. Indeed in the 12th century Al-Idrisi wrote:

“Elche is a town built on a plain crossed by a canal coming from the river. This canal passes below its walls (and) the inhabitants make use of it, because it serves for bathing and runs through the markets and streets. The water of the river mentioned is salty. To drink, the inhabitants need to bring rain water from other places, where it is stored in tanks”.

The Arab baths, that date from the middle of the 12th century, are located below the Convento de la Merced and had been hidden for years due to their use given for storage in the convent. Their restoration and opening to the public in 1998 has... leer más

The Arab baths, that date from the middle of the 12th century, are located below the Convento de la Merced and had been hidden for years due to their use given for storage in the convent. Their restoration and opening to the public in 1998 has allowed one of the most valuable testimonies to Islamic architecture in the Valencian community to be displayed. Its location next to the Lucentina gate would have allowed travellers arriving from Alicante to bath themselves before entering the walled city and the mosque.

Fulfilling the precept of the purification of the body before prayer is obligatory in the Koran. The inheritance of the Roman thermal baths was assimilated and adapted into the customs, which derive from the Islamic religion. The area of the ‘Haman’ – or Arabic baths – was divided into a cold, warm and hot water area. Another common feature were the ‘mastabas’; these were like benches with padded mats where one could recline or receive massages.

Men and women would go to the baths at different times, it being a genuine social party where people would chat, intrigue or make deals. The baths put rich and poor on the same level, who shared the same space and conversation during the time the ceremony of purification and relaxation lasted.

From the architectural point of view, the construction had a certain level of complexity. There had to be a heated water supply, whose steam would be taken advantage of before being redirected at the end of its path to the city water system. In the Elche baths the hypocaust – the hollow under floor heating system that allowed the distribution of the heat from the oven – is preserved.

In the 13th century the church of the convent of Santa Lucía de Nuestra Señora de la Merced was built over the baths. Here, The nuns of Saint Clare resided from 1853 to 2007, since they were forced to abandon their convent of La Encarnacion, which had fallen into disrepair. Different styles are visible from the exterior; one part is late Gothic, an entrance called ‘Santa Lucia’ is renaissance and yet another part is baroque, which was partially destroyed in 1936 and reconstructed 4 years later. The access to the baths had to be made from the exterior by opening an entrance from the passage Eres de Santa Lucia so as not to disturb what was then the enclosed monastery of the nuns of Saint Clare.

The museum of the Festa displays articles of relevance to the Misteri d’Elx such as the wardrobe, the musical instruments used, which are the harp and guitar, a model of the basilica and historical documents, to name but a few. In the second... leer más

The museum of the Festa displays articles of relevance to the Misteri d’Elx such as the wardrobe, the musical instruments used, which are the harp and guitar, a model of the basilica and historical documents, to name but a few. In the second room, using technological innovation, it is possible to witness la Festa, giving a realistic sensation of the event. This room occupies the interior area of the neighbouring Hermitage of San Sebastian, which although greatly altered, is one of the most notable examples of Catalán Gothic of the 15th century. Until the opening of the house of the Festa, the hermitage served since the 16th century as the changing rooms for the chapel of the Misteri, and more recently was where performances were rehearsed.

The neighbouring building, today the house of the Festa, has been since 1988 the place for meetings, rehearsals, administrative tasks and the wardrobe for the chapel of the Misteri. The building dates from between the 15th and 16th century in a transitionary style between gothic and renaissance. It was originally a charitable hospital until 1564, in which year it was transferred to Corredora Street. It then became a home and textile factory in the 19th century.

And at last we come to the Misteri d’Elx, which is a lyrical-theatrical performance, which shows the final rest, or death, of the Virgin Mary, the ascension of her soul to heaven and her coronation. The origins of the Misteri, or also of the Festa, go back to the 15th century, although local tradition places it in 1265, the date of the reconquest of Elche. Another tradition states 1370, with the arrival of an image of the Virgin in a wooden chest on the nearby beach of Tamarit.

The Misteri has been being enacted since the Middle Ages up to the present without interruption, even surviving the limitations imposed by the Council of Trent on the scenery used in theatrical presentations held inside holy places. The Papal Bull issued by Urbano the 8th allowed the popular tradition to remain alive.

Many accolades have been made to the cultural value of the Misteri, but here we highlight that of UNESCO who in 2001 declared it to be a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

The Misteri is a work enacted in the Valencian language (a Catalan dialect) with some parts in Latin. The music hails from different periods and composers, most of whom are unknown. Being faithful to the medieval tradition, men play all the parts, and spectators are surprised that non-professional actors can perform the work, which is full of complex music and scenes, to such a high level of quality.

The performance takes place on the minor basilica of Santa María with the staging of a procession known as an ‘andador’ which passes down the central aisle to end at the ‘cadafal’, as the main stage is known. In the Misteri, the public is not merely a spectator of the performance; it is very close to the unfolding of the scenes and the excitement is contagious, in some manner forming part of the performance.

A vertically hanging canvas hides the vault, people and stage machinery required from the spectators. The latter is needed to lower a pomegranate (a granada in Spanish or magrana in Valencian) protagonising one of those critical moments of the performance when it opens in segments to reveal an angel, in the person of a child carrying a white palm leaf.

The performance starts with the ‘Vespra’ – the entrance into the basilica of the Virgin accompanied by the Marys and six angels. Mary expresses her desire to die and be joined with her son. The heavens then open and the Magrana appears (so called because of its likeness to a pomegranate) which descends from way up high in the church, opening into eight segments and revealing an angel carrying a white palm leaf which announces to the Virgin that Christ has heard her wish and has accepted that it be fulfilled.

The disciples begin to arrive and the Virgin explains the reasons for her calling, with the apostles singing one of the most beautiful songs on meeting known as the Ternari. The first act closes with the death of the Virgin and the second act, known as the Festa, starts with the Virgin’s burial and with her finally being crowned by the Holy Trinity under a shower of gold as the bells ring out, a burst of fireworks is released and to the unanimous cry of the spectators of “visca la mare de Deu” – or ‘Behold the mother of God’. The end is reached after Araceli and the Trinty ascend to heaven, while on Earth, the apostles and the Jews sing an emotional ‘Gloria Patri’.

The city grew to the south, with the consequent emergence of the Baix Square, which was gated on its 4 sides and which gained importance owing to the presence of the Town Hall the market and the fair ground of San Andrés. It underwent a great... leer más

The city grew to the south, with the consequent emergence of the Baix Square, which was gated on its 4 sides and which gained importance owing to the presence of the Town Hall the market and the fair ground of San Andrés. It underwent a great transformation when crossed by the Alicante- Crevillente road.

Among the buildings in the square, the Town Hall is of particular note. Since the building of its central tower – or Consell – between 1441 and 1444, it has housed the sessions of the municipal government. It was built on the site of the city walls at the point where the Guardamar gate once stood.

Contemplating the facade, we find a variety of artistic styles which reveal the transformations the building has undergone. The large arch gives access to Fruita square, so named as the fruit market was once held there, and previously known as Dalt o de Arriba. Above the arch is the royal coat of arms with the remains of colour, which when restored shows the crown and the Golden Fleece that was lost because of the damage suffered during the proclamation of the second republic in 1931.

The 2 columns and plaques to the left of the central arch come from the roman remains in Alcudia, 2 kilometres outside the city. The ground floor of the building to the left, covered with rib vaulting, housed the fish market in medieval times and is now used as an exhibition area. Above is the Mayor’s office, and above that the assembly hall, where, besides the normal uses given to this type of room, on the 6th of August every year the ‘proba de veus’ – or voice auditions – are held. This is when the children that are to take part in the next Misteri performance demonstrate to the Mayor and other members of authority their singing abilities.

To the right of the front facing facade, we find the Vetlla tower, which was, is an old bastion of the medieval city wall which forms part of a modernist style building. This was the municipal prison from the 17th to the middle of the 20th century. The tower is crowned with the Calendura clock, where Miguel and Vicent, two wooden figures, chime their bells. The clock was built in 1572, but Miguel Calendura, who chimes the hours, and Vicent or Calendureta, above, who chimes the quarter hours, were added in 1759.

Close to the Baix Square are two bridges that cross the path of the river Vinalopó; the Canalejas Bridge and the footbridge of the market, from where a good view of the city can be had. The damming of the river farther up stream means there is little water flowing, but the large girth that has been cut and the containing walls lead one to imagine that in cases of torrential rains, which are a characteristic of the Mediterranean climate of the area, the water level can rise considerably, and in exceptional cases has been known to break its banks. Evening walks are often taken along the The ‘Rambla’ – or avenue – and there are children’s play areas which make this another park area of the city.

This is a walk through the evolution of the species with a starting point going back to the origins of the Earth itself. The tour starts with the origins of the Big Bang – the great explosion that gave birth to the universe. With the Time and... leer más

This is a walk through the evolution of the species with a starting point going back to the origins of the Earth itself.

The tour starts with the origins of the Big Bang – the great explosion that gave birth to the universe. With the Time and Life panel, the different ages of the Earth are shown together with the species that have appeared and disappeared, some of which were of bizarre forms as we are allowed to imagine from the fossils found.

A large part of the Palaeozoic period, which lasted 291 million years, took place in a marine environment, although islands started to emerge, which formed a super continent, called Pangea. The first insects then appeared, then amphibians and reptiles, all of which we will meet in this exhibition.

The Mesozoic period was between 191 million years ago and 65 and a half million years ago. During this time the first mammals appeared, but for the younger amongst you, you will be pleased to know that this was the period of the dinosaurs, of which we can see their footprints and other remains, allowing us to know of the great dinosaurs that inhabited this Earth.

The Cenozoic period is the last, in which the continents acquired their current form, and the species evolve to their present day form. On the subject of living organisms, we pay special attention to humans, which appear in this period.

The techniques used by palaeontologists in their finds is fundamental to know about the evolution of the Earth, and thanks to the museums own site, the visitors can discover what the work involves. The museum also has fossils from the Alicante area, which have great paleontological value.

The Contemporary Art Museum is housed in a 17th century building and is integrated into the old medieval area know as the Raval neighbourhood, which has a great deal of character and a very historical atmosphere. It stands out as highly recognised... leer más

The Contemporary Art Museum is housed in a 17th century building and is integrated into the old medieval area know as the Raval neighbourhood, which has a great deal of character and a very historical atmosphere. It stands out as highly recognised within the network of museums and permanent collections in the Valencian community.

The singularity of the museum resides in its possessing a valuable collection connected with the history of the development of expression over the last 70 years. The great historical and expressive cohesion at its heart as well as the unusual and supportive circumstances of its creation, make it a collection of the greatest importance both geographically and sociologically. A large part of the collection is composed of figures from the Spanish vanguard, which are highly emblematic and representative, constituting a historical inheritance of great value. The body of the collection essentially represents the many individuals, which collaborated in one way or another to keep Spanish art in the forefront from the 40s to the 70s, and developing through the 80s to the present day.

Among the artists, worthy of special mention are the founders: the members of the Group d’Elx: Coll, Agulló, Castejón and Sixto Marco, and others such as Sempere, Mompó, Viola and the Equipo Crónica.

The school-museum of Pusol was started in 1969 as an activity linked to the pedagogic project “The school and its Environment”, which studied the professions and traditions of the Elche countryside. The museum does not limit itself to... leer más

The school-museum of Pusol was started in 1969 as an activity linked to the pedagogic project “The school and its Environment”, which studied the professions and traditions of the Elche countryside.

The museum does not limit itself to collecting objects, but rather involves the different inhabitants in the area in the task, from children to the elderly. In this way, traditional ways are brought together integrally, with an active participation from the whole society.

This collaboration enriches the students of Pusol School, who participate, and can directly relate to the culture, which they no longer know due to the changes that the Elche countryside is suffering in terms of its habitat, crops, and the demographics of moving to the city.

Over the course of time, the area of influence of the museum grew, owing to its constant activity, to other rural areas and the city of Elche, to the extent that currently it holds all the examples of ethnologically related aspects such as agriculture, commerce, industry, folklore, traditions and so on.

The new museum complex, completely renovated and modernised, consist of spacious exhibition halls, storage areas, workshops for conservation and restoration, rooms for multiple uses, a library, an archive, the management area, the computer room, a service area, and orchard for environmental studies and a public car park. The exhibition halls show a past that is familiar to adults in which scenes are relived of business and traditional professions, the family surroundings, and in general a life, which is distant for the youngest buy easily, recognised for the adults.

In 2009 UNESCO recorded The Pusol Student Museum & Centre for Traditional Cultural in its registry of Exemplary Practises.

The archaeological site of la Alcudia, which was the ancient city of Ilici, is found on a slight elevation 2 kilometres from the centre of Elche, Here one can visit remains from the Iberian, Roman, and Visigoth periods, where particularly the... leer más

The archaeological site of la Alcudia, which was the ancient city of Ilici, is found on a slight elevation 2 kilometres from the centre of Elche, Here one can visit remains from the Iberian, Roman, and Visigoth periods, where particularly the houses, baths, temples, public buildings and the defensive walls can be seen. It is surrounded by fertile land and with good communications by paths and roads from antiquity.

The information to visit the site is available in the museum and investigation centre, and some of the most important objects to have been found in the archaeological excavations are on display. The visit includes the old museum where the main part of the collection of Ramos Folqués is preserved.

According to the archaeological data, the strata sequence goes from the Bronze Age to the beginnings of the Islamic period, although some Neolithic materials have been found. During the Iberian period Ilici must have been the principal city of the ‘Contestania regio iberica’ – or Contestancia region of Iberia – with its influence extending inland and to the south through the province of Alicante to border the areas of Albacete and Murcia. It is from this time that a magnificent sculptural group emerge with masterpieces such as the Lady of Elche or the Warrior’s Torso (El Torso del Guerrero) and the ceramics decorated in the style denominated ‘Elche’.

These events took place around the year 27 BC, when the old city was raised to the status of a Roman colony with the name Colonia Iulia Ilici Augusta, partly owing to the Emperor Augustus and partly owing to the previous name. As a result, the urban planning had to be reformed; up to this point hardly any archaeological fingerprints had been made. The surrounding land also had to be shared out among the new settlers, which is shown by the bronze plaque in the museum.

In late antiquity, Ilici was incorporated into the Visigoth Kingdom and became a bishopric: it was conquered as part of the offensive of Justinian to recreate the old Empire and during a period it was a Byzantine possession. Returning again to Visigoth domination, it continued to exist, until in the first instances of Islamic presence whereupon it was abandoned permanently. There are vestiges of the site being visited or plundered, but without being able to document any permanent inhabitants.

Irregular archaeological work has been carried out sporadically for centuries. During nearly the whole of the 20th century it was the property of the Ramos family, who excavated for more than 6 decades. The constitution in 1996 of the ‘Alcudia Archaeological University Research Foundation’ in which the University of Alicante, the Town Hall of Elche, The Provincial Deputy for the central government and the Valencian Autonomic government all participate marks the start of a new period. Under this auspice it is hoped that Ilici will be awarded the scientific importance it warrants, make its monuments known and envigour its cultural wealth.

The archaeological finds are principally preserved in the old ‘Monographic Museum’ on the site itself. Other pieces of interest are to be found in the Archaeology and History Museum of Elche and in the National Archaeological museum of Madrid, in which the globally renowned Lady of Elche is displayed.

El Hondo Natural Park, also known as ‘El Fondo’, is located between Elche and Crevillente on the flood plains of the Baix Vinalopó. It consists of various lakes, the largest of which are the Levante with a surface area of 450 hectares and the... leer más

El Hondo Natural Park, also known as ‘El Fondo’, is located between Elche and Crevillente on the flood plains of the Baix Vinalopó. It consists of various lakes, the largest of which are the Levante with a surface area of 450 hectares and the Poniente with a surface area of 650 hecatres, which are fed from the Segura River. The Levante dam was built in 1923 and the Poniente dam between 1940 and 1942. Their waters were raised from the San Antonio mill to supply water for irrigation.

La Albufera de Elche, which is comprised of El Hondo Natural Park and the Salt Natural Park or Parque Natural de las Salinas together, was silted in the 18th century, to a large extent in order to obtain land for cultivation and partly by the natural silting of the land.

El Hondo is the second most important wetland in the Valencian community, with natural park status and a specially protected area for birds. Besides the dams, there are seasonal wetlands and salt marshes as well as land for cultivation. The dammed water has a certain level of salinity, which limits the presence of submerged vegetation. Common reed and rushes dominate the area, which serve as good shelter for birds.

In terms of water species, special mention can be made of eels, mullets, fresh water prawns, and the endemic Spanish tooth carp or Iberian killifish – known as fartet in the region. In terms of birds, there is the marbled teal, the white-headed duck and a large number of herons – the imperial heron, the night heron, the squacco heron – there are also a large number of anatidae species such as the cinnamon teal, the tufted duck and the shelduck. In birds of prey there is the osprey, marsh harriers, and the mottled eagle, and many other types such as the pied avocet and storks to name but a few.

Several paths have been prepared for walks and discreet viewing of the birdlife.

The proximity of Clot de Galvany on the coast makes this area quite unique in that the sequence of beach – dunes – salt marsh – swampland can be seen. There are still remains of hillocks whose origins are from coral, such as that of... leer más

The proximity of Clot de Galvany on the coast makes this area quite unique in that the sequence of beach – dunes – salt marsh – swampland can be seen. There are still remains of hillocks whose origins are from coral, such as that of Cabeçó, with marine fossil remains, as well as once upon a time beachheads.

The wetland appears between areas, for among other reasons the Almoradí fault, which has caused land to sink with the consequential accumulation of water. It is thought that the fault may also communicate aquifers in the region, such as that of El Hondo Natural Park.

In the 1970s this swampland was one of the most important along the coast but the drainage of the natural lake to make an artificial one endangered the survival of the area. There was also a macro urban development planned that threatened to destroy the area. However, social pressure led to the Town Hall exchanging these lands for others in the Arenales del Sol, and work began on the regeneration of the area. The central lake was even returned and two small lakes have become nesting and staging posts for numerous birds.

The species mentioned in the Fondo – or El Hondo natural park – are also present here in Clot de Galvany. An unforgettable sight is that of when the large gatherings of flamingos take place here.

The presence of dunes on the coast is a positive symptom of the conservation of a fragile ecosystem, which on the Elche coast has survived the threat of development. On the beaches of Carabassí and El Altet, embryonic dunes can be found... leer más

The presence of dunes on the coast is a positive symptom of the conservation of a fragile ecosystem, which on the Elche coast has survived the threat of development.

On the beaches of Carabassí and El Altet, embryonic dunes can be found including moving, semi moving a stationary dunes. There are even fossil dunes, which are partially covered in vegetation and pine trees.

The dunes are an accumulation of sand due to wind action. A dune area is changeable, since they move with the wind and when they reach a certain height they loose sand from their edges, creating new dunes. There are different forms of dune, including longitudinal, transversal and parabólical types. The parabolical ones in the form of a letter ‘U’ are the most common on the coast. They are formed by the interior part of the dune being covered in vegetation, causing a small wave of pressure. Other dunes are of the barchans type, with a shape like the letter ‘C’, with their convex sides facing the dominant winds.

The dominant coastal drift, that is to say, the transport of sand sediment, is in the north –south direction in this area, and constantly feeds the dune fields and the beaches.

The vegetation associated with the dune system is unusual for its resistance in an environment as inhospitable as this. Among the plant species that predominate is the psamophilic type and within this group sea holly, sea daffodil, mitnan and marram grass – or beach grass – are found.

On the coast of Carabassí and El Atet and in their dunes we can see birds such as seagulls, ruddy turnstones, dotterels, oystercatchers, redstarts, linnets, and shrikes. Among the types of reptile we find the Red-tailed Spiny-footed Lizard, the Large Psammodromus, the ocellated lizard, a variety of geckos, ladder snakes, and the Montpellier snake. These latter snakes are venomous, but harmless to man.

Among the beaches mentioned is the Arenales del Sol beach; we find a largely urbanised area for most of its length, with all kinds of services and commodities for the beach goer. The population rises considerably during the holidays and likewise does the availability of restaurants, shops and leisure activities. The quality of the beaches, the proximity to areas of great natural value and cities with cultural heritage make Arenales del Sol a highly valued destination for its visitors.

The access to the beaches via wooden walkways and the traffic restrictions are essential measures for the recovery and conservation of an ecosystem of such fragility and ecological value as this. The characteristics describing the dune fields of... leer más

The access to the beaches via wooden walkways and the traffic restrictions are essential measures for the recovery and conservation of an ecosystem of such fragility and ecological value as this.

The characteristics describing the dune fields of Carabassi and El Altet are the same for this part of the coast, although the environment has been more affected by human intervention with species such as Aleppo pines, stone or umbrella pines, eucalyptuses, palm trees, and agaves having been introduced.

From north to south we first come across El Pinet, where inland the low lying houses appear out of the wild pine woods and the wide dune fields separate the coast from the road, creating the impression from the beach that there are almost no signs of human life. The wood extends towards the Marina beach and on towards Les Pesqueres-El Rebollo. This borders with Guardamar del Segura and the river mouth of the Segura River. Without doubt we find ourselves here at one of the Mediterranean’s best beaches.