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Vila Murada, the area of Elche replete with the most history, lies on the banks of the Vinalopó River. The Arab urban layout of narrow streets and alleys still endure, conveniently positioning the area as a Historic - Artistic Site. The Moorish tower that formed part of the walled precinct, Calahorra, still survives here. The Local Archaeological Museum is contained in the Palace of Altamira, adjacent to the age old walls. Other places to see are the Casa de la Vila (the City Hall), the tower of Consell and the ancestral homes which are aplenty.
Nearby is the Basilica Santa María, which was erected on top of the old mosque, and several Christian temples. Dating back to the 17th century, the present layout still survives intact. Because the engineers constructed the church at their own pace, the church was gradually completed across generations, inevitably absorbing Baroque and Neoclassical elements of later times. The Mystery of Elche, a sacred musical drama of the death, assumption and crowning of the Virgin is an annual affair celebrated on August 14 and 15. The drama was declared a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity, as well as a holiday celebration of International Tourist Interest. Located in the old 15th century Charity Hospital, La Casa de la Festa ("The House of the Mystery of Elche") and the Local Museum of the Mystery of Elche exhibit different elements from the staging of the drama.
The medieval outskirts are those parts of the city beyond the old walls. The convent of La Mercé is located here, along with the old Arab public baths, located in the subsoil. The latter were constructed back in the 12th century. The historical district of Raval used to house the Moorish and Jewish quarters. It is located further away from Vila Murada. The old City Hall of Raval presently contains the Museum of Contemporary Art. The museum has an extensive collection of works mainly by Catalan and Valencian artists, from 1939 to today.
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Arguably the historical masterpiece of the town, Elche houses among other things, the Palm Grove, a forest of no less than 200,000 palm trees surrounding the city (declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2000). Palmeral de Elche is the largest forest of palm trees in Europe.
Because of its unrivalled nature, impressive antiquity and undeniable beauty, the Elx Palm Grove was declared a World Heritage Site in 2000 by UNESCO. The palms notwithstanding, Elx is simply lush with greenery.
All in all, Elche is mandatory visit for a host of reasons such as its many nature reserves, its coastal towns and its remarkable gastronomy, to name a few. Two of its holiday celebrations have already been declared of International Tourist Interest: "Domingo de Ramos" (Palm Sunday) and the Mystery of Elche.
Fossilized stones were discovered in this vicinity of the Mediterranean. This would support the theory that the palm tree has been in Elx since prehistory. It was the Moors, however, who designed them in a creatively conspicuous layout, with the aid of irrigation. The Muslims have imparted a landscape that has been Elx’s own throughout its history. They planted the palm grove in its present location and the limit was breached in the 18th century with over 200,000 pieces.
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The harmonious relationship between the city and its palm trees has survived until the present day - to such an extent that many public buildings and facilities as well as perfectly integrated residential areas rise from a sea of palms, forming a unique aesthetic experience. Elx’s Palm Grove, with more than 200,000 representations growing within the borough, is undeniably the city’s greatest natural asset.
On one end of the grove is the Town Park, the largest gardened area of the palm tree forest, which has a total of 200,000 specimens. The Royal Mill, the Park Museum and the Rotonda (an open air theater) are situated here. The old mill and granary, dating back to the era of Moorish rule, offer the local Palm Plaiting workshop. Palms to be carried in the Palm Sunday processions are crafted in traditional means.
Elevated as a National Historic Garden, Huerto del Cura or The Priest's Orchard showcases palm specimens culled from all over the world. The trees are arranged in a peculiar manner, following Arab, Mediterranean and local influences. The Imperial Palm Tree -- an antiquated specimen with eight branches - is a salient point in this area. It has been calculated to be about 150 years of age. On foot or by bicycle, the traditional palm tree grove, divided into numerous orchards, is easily accessible to visitors.
The people of Elx’s are determined and committed to conserve the palm plantations. They insisted that palms be maintained even after they were no longer economically viable. As years went by, many of these palm greeneries were altered into public parks.
An initiative to recover the traditional crafts related to the palm trees has been launched in years. On the other hand, the Phoenix Date Palm Research Station has been created in order to ensure the preservation of the palm plantations.
Dates are harvested from these palms, but the palms are also very useful in siome other ways. The palm tree incidentally is the source of the blanched palm leaves that are central to two of Elche’s most important cultural events: the Palm Sunday Procession, declared of International Tourist Interest, and the Elche Mystery Play, declared as World Oral and Intangible Heritage and an event of International Tourist Interest. During the play, an angel bears a palm leaf in his hand and offers it to the Virgin Mary.
Sumptuous rice dishes are still feature here, prepared in the most creative ways. Recommended dishes for dining are the "a banda" (cooked with fish stock), with rabbit and snails, and the "con costra" (with sausages and egg), as a stew or dry. The fish and seafood are fished fresh from the Levante coast for dessert, the ice cream and turrón from this part of the planet are ubiquities to be spoilt with. In addition, wine designated with Denominación de Origen Alicante is a reassurance to the exquisiteness of the local liquor.
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