The Magic Of Elche
Elche is world renowned as one of the most beautiful cities in the famous region of Valencia and also as the capital of the spectacular District of Baix Vinalopo. Elche is a charming city that attracts tourists from all over the world with the huge number of historical sites which are both beautiful and educating, as they teach you Spanish history lessons and take you into another world, the one in which our ancestors lived.
The spectacular palm grove
The huge attraction of Elche besides its historical sites is the palm grove. The palm trees forest is formed out of 10,000 palm trees and it represents the only such forest in Europe. It is believed that the Phoenicians are the ones who planted it, thousands of years ago, in the 6th century BC.
However, the Moors are the ones who started cultivating it to create its present shape, which covers 3.5 square kilometers. Inside the forest you will find numerous parks and gardens which look like paradise on earth. You have to visit it because its beauty is really impressive and it will definitely charm you. As a result of its beauty and uniqueness, the UNESCO designated it as World Heritage Site.
Elche’s attractions
A very special feature of Elche is represented by the Mystery Play. This is a play which you will only have the chance to see while in Elche and it dates back to the 15th century. It is actually a ‘’cum lyrical’’ and it is part of the medieval, religious culture.
The play is so unique and so special that it has been declared as part of the Oral Heritage by the UNESCO. The museums represent another big attraction of Elche and tourists love to visit them. You should put a few of them on your sightseeing list such as the Pucol Agricultural Museum or the Municipal Festa Museum.
The beaches are a destination that you are not allowed to miss when you visit Elche; La Marina and El Penet are covered by delicate sands and they both offer facilities for all sorts of water sports. The fiestas are very often hosted by Elche, representing one of its biggest attractions with their joy and their range of colors. The cuisine is absolutely delicious, very similar to the Mediterranean cuisine, so make sure you taste it! Enjoy Elche!