SEA OF PALM TREESThe most luxuriant palm grove in Europe lies in the south of the Land of Valencia, in Elx, the capital of the Baix Vinalopó district.
This is Europe's greatest palm grove.Its 200,000 palm trees are fully protected by law. The visitor can enjoy this palm grove in the Municipal Park and in other smaller scenic areas such as the Huerto del Cura or the Hort del Gat. The total surface area covered by the palm groves is 430ha (1063 acres).
The present location of Elx is heir to the archeological site of L'Alcudia, 3km further south, where an important prehistoric Iberian settlement gave way to the Roman municipium of Illici, marking a highpoint that later declined and was abandoned under the Moors. The Vila Murada, or walled town, is where traces of Arabic culture can still be found: the Torre de la Calaforra, the Arab Baths (Convent of La Mercé) and considerable remains of the town wall along the left bank of the river Vinalopó. The Torre del Consell (today's town hall) was one of the gates to the walled town and in its square, on the Torre de la Vetlla, the hours and quarter hours are struck by Calendura and Calendureta, two popular figures dating from the 18th century. The Basílica de Santa María, built in the Valencian Baroque style on the site of the oldmosque, is where the Misteri d'Elx is staged. The Contemporary Art Museum is in the Raval, the old Moorish and Jewish quarter.
IBERIAN ARTOn August 4th 1897 the legendary bust of the LADY OF ELCHE was found at Elx's old Roman site. Some say she is a priestess, others a noblewoman. Her hair is covered by spectacular whorls on either side of her head, and she is the purest example of Iberian art. The site is about 2 kilometres south of town, accessed via the Dolores road. The original statue can be seen in the National Archeological Museum in Madrid.
STAGING A MEDIEVAL MYSTERY PLAYThe Misteri d'Elx is the grand annual festival held in Elx in mid-August. It is the only choral religious mystery play that was still allowed to be performed inside a church after the Council of Trent's ban in the 17th century. The scene in which the Angel descends to announce the Sleep and Assumption of Mary is the highpoint: a pomegranate opens to form a palm-tree of brightly coloured leaves sheltering the heavenly messenger. The performance, which takes place in the magnificent Baroque church dedicated to Our Lady (built 1672-1784), is sung exclusively by the amateur actors and actresses playing out the characters of the Mystery.
9 km OF BEACHESElx has a long, 9km stretch of coastline within its municipal boundaries, providing handsome beaches, which from north to south are called L'Altet, Arenales del Sol and Carabassí, down to Pinet, La Marina and Les Pesqueres-El Rebolló in the Elx-Guardamar dune area beside the mouth of the river Segura. Southeast of the city, the Fondó d´Elx-Crevillent lagoons form a large nature park with a wide variety of animal species and plant life. Of note here is the Europe's only population of marbled ducks. TO VISIT THE PARK,PHONE: 96 667 85 15.
SIGHTSCalahorra Tower; Altamira Palace; Town Hall; Convent of La Mercé; Basilica of Santa María; Los Vaillos de Llanos and Ressemblanch watchtowers.
MUSEUMSL'Alcudia Archeological Museum, tel.: 96 545 96 67; Contemporary Art Museum, tel.: 96 545 49 82; Municipal Archeological Museum, tel.: 96 545 36 03; Puçol Schoolchildren's Agricultural Museum, tel.: 96 663 04 78
FESTIVE DAYSMystery Play, August 11th to 15thTown Settlers Fiesta, July 28th Moors and Christians, first week in AugustHoly Week, particularly Palm SundayArrival of the Madonna, December 29thIndependent Cinema Festival, June-JulyMedieval Music and Theatre Festival, October of even-numbered years
A PORT FROM ROMAN TIMESThe fishing port is proud of having been famous since the days of the Romans, who called it Portus Ilicitanus, the Port of Elx. Traces of that period remain in the Roman villa at the Palmeral and in the fish salting factory dating from the 4th century BC. The well-equipped marina is a popular anchoring spot.
THE CAPE OF SANTA POLA has an altitude of 140m, which in the province of Alicante on the Mediterranean coast is high enough to command a panoramic view over the sea, and also to protect the town of Santa Pola from the easterly winds. The elongated shapeof the island of Tabarca can be seen from the lighthouse.
THE SEA BREEZESanta Pola is all hustle and bustle by the sea, all along the wide seaside promenade enjoyed by locals and tourists alike. For those seeking unforgettable holidays with sun and calm seas, the town's popular beaches are the place to be.
PROTECTION AGAINST THE PIRATESThe Santa Pola castle was built on the orders of King Felipe II (16th C) to protect against raids from Barbary pirates. Inside the castle, visitors can see a documentary history of the area in the showcases of the Museo del Mar (maritime museum), Tel 96 669 15 32. Sea life fans will want to visit the municipal aquarium located here. The most picturesque streets in the town centre start at the castle.
SANTA POLA-ELX SALT FLATS NATURE PARKThese wetlands are geologically related to the Hondó nature park. The N-332 main road along the coast runs across them. Guided visits can be arranged, starting at the Santa Pola basins and finishing at the Pinet dunes. The salt flats, which are home to a large population of pink flamingos, are highly appreciated by ecologists and are guarded by the characteristically shaped Tamarit watchtower. INFORMATION CENTRE: 96 669 35 46.
FIESTAS IN SANTA POLAOur Lady of Mt Carmel, patron of sailors - July 16th Our Lady of Loreto, with Moors and Christians parades - September 1st to 8thArrival of the Madonna, by sea - December 10th
EXCURSION TO THE ISLAND OF TABARCAThe only inhabited island in the Land of Valencia is reached by boat from Santa Pola. Alicante, to which the island belongs administratively, also offers boat trips to Tabarca. The island was baptized Nueva Tabarca in the 18th century, when King Carlos III decided to populate it with Genovese families who had been held prisoner on the Tabarka peninsula between Tunisia and Algeria. The island was fortified and from then on Barbary raiders from Africa were met with resistance they had not previously encountered. To discover Tabarca - where there are no cars - there is a walking route all around the island from which the coastline can be enjoyed and seabirds can be watched. Tabarca is less than 2km long and its maximum width is 400 metres. Its underwater nature reserve, established in 1986, is much appreciated by divers. Above the sea bed, fish glide through the characteristic ribbons of the posidonia oceanica 'meadows'. Underwater fishing, scuba diving without permission and anchoring boats are all forbidden within the limits of the reserve. There are three gates in the wall surrounding the village. Narrow streets lead to the church square. The most notable building is the Casa del Gobernador (Governor's House) which is now the only hotel on the island. Outside the walls, the Torre de San José is midway along the walls and the lighthouse and cemetery are at the far end of the island.
REPLENISHING ENERGY WITH MEDITERRANEAN FLAVOURTo replenish energy, why not try one of the local gastronomic specialities. In Santa Pola, seafood and salted products are typical, as well as the seafood rice dishes called caldero and arròs a banda. The thing to order in Elx is an arroz con costra (a paella with an omelette topping), and local dates for dessert. On Tabarca, seafood rice dishes are a succulent treat.
ELX23km from Alicante and 189km from Valencia via the A-7 motorway and the N-340. Bus and rail connections. Alicante airport at L'Altet.
SANTA POLAACCESS: 19km from Alicante and 185km from Valencia via the A-7 motorway and the N-332. Bus connections. Alicante airport at L'Altet.
ISLA DE TABARCAACCESS: By boat from Alicante, Santa Pola, Guardamar or Torrevieja.