Elche is located 16 miles
inland from Alicante and is the capital of the El Baix district.
Elche officially has the two names,
Elche in Spanish and Elx in Catalan. The famous Elx Palm Grove
is a forest of over 200,000 palm trees which was declared a World
Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2000. The palms lend the city an exotic
air, evident on every street corner and can be especially enjoyed
in the well-tended city park and just a short walk away in the
Huerto del Cura (Priest's Garden), where a palm in the form of
a seven-armed candelabra is a good example of the freaks of nature.
The river Vinalopo flows through the city and has several impressive
crossing points. In the historical, old section of the city amongst
the most interesting sights are the Altamira Palace, the Basilica
of Santa Maria, the Moorish fortress and the Moorish Baths.
|