Elche
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Elche is an important town in the Vega Baja. It lies approximately 20 km inland beneath the Sierra de Crevillente. Alicante is approximately 30 km to the north. The town has good road links with La Marina, Santa Pola and Gaurdamar del Segura which are close by on the coast. Elche also has rail links to Alicante and Murcia, good motorway links to the rest of Spain and is in easy reach of the airport at El Altet.
Elche has many faces. It is a thriving business centre, with a University, and a mixture of traditional and high tech industries. Elche is is the centre of the Spanish shoe industry. Click here for links to travel resources for this area. |
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The foundation of the modern town of Elche dates from the muslim period. The extensive palm groves which are the towns most well know attraction were established in this period. At it's height the palmeral could boast over 600,000 date palms. Today there are still more than 110,000 palms. The Elche Palmeral has been classed as a World Heritage site. Many of the palm groves (huerts) are being restored. Together with the botanical garden known as the Huert De Cura, the palm groves and gardens of Elche make an intersting and relaxing excursion.
The ancient site of Elche; the roman colony of Illice, lies just outside the modern town to the south west. The excavations for this ancient Roman town were the site of the discovery of the even more ancient bust of the Dama D'Elx. This bust dates from a pre-phonecian iberian civilization demonstrating over 3000 years of civilized life in this area. |
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| Elche is also the home of a unique festival known as the Misteri d'Elx which takes place in mid-August. This is a two day medieval mystery play focused on the basilica in the old town. The festival is kicked off with a firework display which is said to be the largest in the world. For the climax of the display, which takes place at midnight, all the street lights in the centre of the town are dimmed for a full effect. |
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