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The City of Elche Spain

The city of Elche is a populous one, located within the warm country of Spain. It currently has over 200,000 residents, making it the second largest city in within the province of Alicante and the third within the region of Valencia in terms of population numbers alone. Combined with the neighboring towns of Crevillent and Santa Pola, it accumulates to over 700,000 residents, making it the 8th largest, still in terms of population numbers.

The history of the city is rich and filled with interesting detail. There is evidence that a town was built in or around the area before the existence of the city. Put up by the Iberians during the 5th century B.C., it was made into a colony under the Romans in 26 B.C. With the arrival of the Muslims during the Medieval Ages, the city of Elche was first built on where it presently stands. During the conquest by the Christians, ownership was passed to Kingdom of Castile. During the mid 13th century, the Muslim residents were cast out, causing a furor. During the time of Amadeo I by the latter parts of 1871, Elche was first recognized as an independent city.

Elche is becoming more recognized for a number of other factors besides its rich history. For one it has a number of places that have been declared by the World Heritage as worth preserving. One is known as the Palmeral of Elche. Built by Arabs, it represents some of their best practices when it comes to agriculture in the entire continent. There are over 180,000 palms planted within the entire city making it the largest collection in Europe. Although there is the constant threat of a water shortage, irrigating these plants is always a priority for the city. To further explain the importance of the site, there is also the Palm Groves Museum. Also located within the city, the museum gives additional information regarding the origins and culture related to the Elx Palm Groves. The World Heritage has also mentioned the importance of the Mystery of Elche. It is not actually a place but more of a play, a recreation of parts of the life of the Virgin Mary.

When in the city, another site worth seeing is the Town Hall. Initially referred to as the Torre del Consell, this towering structure is oldest government building located in the southern area of Valencia. It was initially built in the year 1441 as part of the walls that protect the city. The lower area is actually built as an attachment to the Plaça de Baix. During the mid 16th century, this structure was purposed to be the palace during the Renaissance Period.

Another site worth visiting is the Palacio de Altamira which houses the archaeological museum of the city. Constructed sometime between the 15th-19th century, this old structure contains some ancient relics dating from the Iberian and Roman periods. Some of its sections have actually been constructed earlier such as the Almohad area, built sometime during 11th-12th century. Its two other sections were built much later, evident with the change of design in the construction. During the 19th century, the structure was converted into the city’s textile mill which also houses the museum.

The Torre de la Calahorra is another Moorish construction built during 12th-13th century as a defense point for the city’s main gate that opens into the road leading to Alicante. During the late 15th century, an additional section was constructed to verify the quantity of wheat being delivered to the city’s flour mills.

One other site is the Basilica de Santa Maria which was built over a mosque built by the early Muslims in the Area. It is in this church where the first Mystery of Elche was first performed.

This post has also been translated into Spanish by using the Google online translation tool, Ciudad De Elche is the translated post. If you feel you can add something positive to the Spanish translation please feel free to contact me through the comments section below or though The Olive Branch contact page, many thanks.