Elche - the city of shoes and palm trees - tour of the historic center of Elche - what to do in Elche?

Elche is the only area in the province of Alicante to have three attractions on the UNESCO World Heritage List: El Palmeral, El Misteri d'Elx and the Museo Escolar de Pusol. It has a long tradition as a leading shoe manufacturer and is known for its many palm trees. Many of the main attractions are located in the historic center of the city, within easy walking distance of each other. If you use your time wisely, you can see them all in one day.

The Centro historico de Elche is a fairly small area in the middle of the city, close to the large palm groves of El Palmeral and the city park Parque Municipal. It makes sense to start here.

What to see in Elche?

The 12 main attractions in Elche are:

• Palacio de Altamira

• Dama de Elche

• La Basílica de Santa María

• Misteri d'Elx

• Museo de la Virgen de la Asuncion

• Torre de Calahorra

• Baños Àrabicos

• Huerto del Cura - botanisk hage

• El Palmeral

• Skobyen - Salvador Artesano

• Río Safari Elche

• Museo Escolar de Pucol

Palacio de Altamira

If you park in the Parking Saba Traspalacio, you will reach the first attraction when you go up from the underground parking garage. The Palacio de Altamira or Alcàsser de la Senyoria as it is also called, is located on the banks of the Vinalopó River. It was built at the end of the 15th century by the nobleman Gutierre de Cárdenas, who used it as his residence. It was probably built over previous fortifications from the 12th or 13th century, which at one time were part of the city wall that protected the inhabitants from enemies.

Palacio de Altamira with the canal of the Vinalopó river in the foreground

In April 1939, when the civil war ended, Franco's forces rehabilitated the building and used it as a concentration camp for Republican prisoners. Later, it was converted into an ordinary prison. Today, it has been restored and is used as the Museo Arqueológico y de Historia de Elche (Archaeological and Historical Museum). Currently (March 2025) it is undergoing renovations and is therefore closed to the public. But normally this is one of the attractions that you should see. The museum has, among other things, a replica of the famous Dama de Elche.

Palacio de Altamira with the Museo Arqueológico y de Historia de Elche

Dama de Elche

On Wednesday, August 4, 1897, a young man noticed a stone sticking out of the ground while he was working as a farm laborer in the municipality of La Alcudia in Elche. When he removed the stone and sand, a face appeared and eventually an entire limestone bust that was placed right-side up on some flat stone slabs. It has later been concluded that the bust must have been buried and hidden intentionally, as it was surrounded by protective stones that had been cut from a quarry. The discovery of the bust caused a great deal of attention and was the start of a major archaeological excavation that is today known as La Alcudia.

Replica in Huerto del Cura of Dama de Elche

The Lady of Elche was made around 500 BC. It represents a wealthy lady with expensive jewelry and idealized facial features. She has braids that are rolled up on both sides of her head, a tiara on her head and three necklaces with amulets, in addition to large earrings. The bust was first purchased by the Louvre museum, but in 1941 it was transferred to the Museo de Prada and in 1971 to the National Museum in Madrid - Museo Arquelógico Nacional de España - where it is today. However, a good replica of it can be seen in the archaeological museum in the Palacio de Altamira. There is also a replica in the botanical garden in Elche Huerto del Cura.

A replica with colors in a shop window in Elche

Microscopic traces of dyes have shown that in its original form it was painted in beautiful colors. There is an opening on the back of the bust into a cavity where small remains of ash from human bones have been found. The bust has therefore probably been used as an urn in a funeral. Many theories have been put forward about who may have been the model for the bust and who made it. Greek, Greco-Asiatic, Phoenician and Greco-Phoenician influences have been considered, but little is known about the time before the Roman settlement in Spain. Regardless of its origin, it is an iconic work of art for Elche.

Statue of the Virgin Mary

La Basílica de Santa María

The Basílica de Santa María or Iglesia Arciprestal de Nuestra Señora as it is also called, is the next major historical building you will come to. It is located on the Plaza del Congreso Eucarístico just across the road from the Palacio de Altamira. The church was originally a Muslim mosque, but was converted into a Catholic temple after Jaime the First liberated the city from the Moors in 1265. It was demolished in 1334 and rebuilt in the period from 1492 to 1566. Later, several chapels and extensions have been added over the centuries. The church currently has seven entrance doors.

Basílica de Santa María

The Basílica de Santa María is the only church in Spain that has a papal privilege that allows it to be the venue for the Fiesta or Mystery of Elche (Misteri d'Elx) as it is also called. This celebration takes place every year on 14 and 15 August during the celebration of the Virgin Mary's transition to sainthood and ascension into heaven. This is a celebration that the people of Elche have carried out in this church for several centuries, which contributed to the Pope proclaiming the Assumption of the Virgin Mary into heaven as a dogma of the Catholic Church in 1950.

One of the entrances to the church

Entrance to the museum on the side of the church

Posters in the square between the church and the tower

Rear entrance

The three bronze sculptures on the outside of the church are inspired by a scene in Misterio de Elche

Mosaic on the ground outside the church

Inside the Basílica de Santa María

The main altar is dedicated to the Virgin Mary

Misterio de Elche (Misteri d'Elx) - La Fiesta

The Mystery of Elche is a religious drama in verse that recreates three events: 1) the glorification and transition to immortality of the Virgin Mary (la Dormición), 2) the transfer of her body and soul to heaven (Asunción) and 3) her coronation in heaven (Coronacíon). The drama is based on ancient myths that were made dogma (fundamental truth) by the papal church in 1950. The New Testament does not say anything about what happened to the Virgin Mary. Some have believed that she died peacefully with her disciples, others that she is still alive on earth, and still others that she was made immortal and transferred to heaven where she was crowned by Jesus. It is the latter belief that has given rise to the Misterio de Elche.

Sculpture of the Virgin Mary with crown

It is not known exactly when this tradition began, but the drama and the party (La Fiesta) have been performed every year without interruption on August 14th and 15th for many centuries. Some believe that it all started in the year 1265 when Elche was conquered by the Christians and the Muslims were expelled, others claim that the tradition began many centuries before that. At all times, right up to the present day, all the participants in the drama have been male actors. The text is mostly written in Old Valencian, while a small part is in Latin. Therefore, few today understand everything that is said, but the tradition, the atmosphere and the visuals compensate for this. The music is a mixture of medieval music, baroque music and Renaissance music.

Clothes worn on the sculpture of the Virgin Mary during the drama

Much of the drama is performed in the church of the Basílica de Santa María, where a sculpture of the Virgin Mary is central. The sculpture is made of wood in the size of a human being. At the back of the church in a small annex there is a museum where objects from this celebration are displayed. The ceremony and celebration of this religious drama have received countless awards and distinctions. It has also led to it being included on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2001.

Museo de la Virgen de la Asunción (MUMAPE)

The Virgin Mary, the patron saint of Elche, has her own small museum in an extension of the Basílico de Santa María. The Museo de la Virgen de la Asuncion houses several objects from the 16th to the 20th centuries that were used in the religious drama Misterio de Elche.

Entrance to the Museo de la Virgen del la Asunción

Crown used for the coronation of the Virgin Mary

MUMAPE is a fairly small museum that is open from Tuesday to Saturday from 10-14 and 15-18, and Sundays and public holidays from 10-14. Mondays closed all year round. Entrance fee 2 Euro for adults and 1 Euro for children 6-12 years. Children under 6 years free.

Torre de Calahorra

Just behind the Basílica de Santa María is a square tower that was once part of the city walls around Elche and formed one side of the main entrance to the city. It overlooks what was once the main road from Alicante. The tower was originally 25 meters high, but the top ten meters collapsed during an earthquake in 1829. The tower is one of the important historical buildings in Elche and is preserved as a museum. Read more about Torre de Calahorra here (https://en.turideer.com/post/torre-de-calahorra-elche-tower-from-the-middle-ages-historical-monument-with-museum)

Bronze sculpture of the crowned Virgin Mary

In the museum you can see both the basement floor and the two upper floors with representative rooms for the Masonic lodge that used the premises for several hundred years.

Baños Àrabicos

At the back of the Torre de Calahorra you will find another historical building: the monastery with the Baños Àrabicos (Arab Baths). The baths were built by the Moors and were an important part of their everyday life. This is where people relaxed and cleansed their bodies and souls, and where they made new acquaintances and business contacts. The baths are the only ones of their kind that have survived to this day. After the Moors were expelled, the building was transferred to a monastic order. Today, the building is preserved and made available to the public as a museum. Read more about the museum here: (https://en.turideer.com/post/baños-àrabicos-de-elche-arab-baths-with-museum-historical-building-in-elche)

The entrance to the museum

Arab baths in the basement

Monastery garden on the first floor

The museum is open from Tuesday to Saturday from 10-14 and 15-18, Sundays and public holidays 10-14, Mondays closed all year round. Admission 1 Euro for adults, and 0.5 Euro for students, pensioners and large families. Sundays free.

Huerto del Cura

The city's botanical garden is located just 700 meters from the Basílica de Santa Maria, about 10-15 minutes walk. The garden is called Huerto del Cura after the priest (Cura) who once owned the garden (Huerto) and laid the foundation for the great diversity we see there today. The garden is part of the Palmeral de Elche, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. It has the status of Jardín Artístico Nacional and is considered an important part of the Patrimonio Cultural de la Comunidad Valenciana. Here you will find over 1000 palm trees, numerous plants and vegetation around beautiful ponds, in addition to exotic birds and sculptures, including a replica of the bust Dama de Elche. A trip to this garden provides a nice change from the museums and is a place you should visit. Read more about the garden here: https://en.turideer.com/post/huerto-del-cura-botanical-garden-in-elche-palm-trees-plants-statues-and-birds-and-palmera-im.

Mandarin ducks swim in the ponds and wander on the paths

The seven-armed palm Palmera Imperial

The botanical gardens are open every day of the year from 10am, but close at different times during the year, so check their website before you travel.

Address: Calle Porta de la Morera, 49, Elche

Phone: +34 965 451 936

E-mail: jardin"huertodelcura.com

Web: http://jardin.huertodelcura.com

Admission 6.50 Euro for adults and 3.5 for children 5-15 years. 4.50 Euro for students and seniors over 65 years.

El Palmeral

The Palm Garden El Palmeral is one of the most important parks in Elche. Together with the Municipal Park and the Huerto del Cura Palm Garden, it is on the UNESCO World Heritage List as Huertos de Palmeras de Elche. El Palmeral is located on the opposite side of the road from the historic center of the city, just a few hundred meters from the Basílica de Santa María.

El Palmeral has between 200,000 and 300,000 palm trees, some of which are over 300 years old. There have been palm groves here since Phoenician times, and during the Moorish era, there were far more palm trees here than there are today. The foundation for this lush park was laid long before the Romans settled here. The Phoenicians created the first irrigation systems, which the Romans later expanded and improved, and which the Egyptians, with their rich experience from the Nile, then perfected.

Without this irrigation system, the park would be as barren as the surrounding areas. The large crowns of the palm trees provide shade, which in turn helps to retain humidity and maintain a favorable microclimate. This is still important today. Jaime I was the first to show interest in preserving the palm groves. He forbade the felling of the trees around and in the city. Later, the people of Elche have taken care of this treasure. Read more about El Palmeral here (https://en.turideer.com/post/el-palmeral-de-elche-palm-grove)

Shoes - Salvador Artesano

For the past two hundred years, Elche has been closely linked to the manufacture of shoes. 34 percent of the inhabitants of Elche still work in the shoe industry. Shoe production has a long tradition. It began with the artisanal production of shoes made of canvas with leather soles. From 1880, jute was used, and then both demand and production increased. Several shoemaking workshops were established, and eventually factories.

Salvador Artesano was one of the first factories to start a factory outlet. They have been selling discounted shoes from this location on the outskirts of Elche since 1966. The company has 20 stores around the country.

During the 20th century, production increased steadily, as did the population. In the 1960s, sales abroad began. From 1960 to 1970, the population doubled from 50,000 to 100,000 inhabitants. In 1980, 60 percent of the employed worked in the shoe industry. Today, Elche is still the largest shoe manufacturer in Spain, accounting for 39 percent of all shoe production in the country. Most of it is exported, generating significant income for the country and the city.

Salvador Artesano's shoe shop in Elche is the largest of its kind in Spain. It has been a popular tourist destination for nearly 70 years. One of its specialties is large shoe sizes - from 42-45 for women and 47-52 for men.

The shoe factories in Elche supply shoes to over 100 countries. The brand is high quality at a reasonable price. Much of the production takes place in the industrial park - parque industrial - on the outskirts of the city. It is worth a visit in itself. Here there are hundreds of shops for both shoes, clothes and other fashion items where goods are sold directly from the factories in addition to other imported brands. La Ruta del outlet de Elche (Ruta Outlet Elche) gives you a nice guide in the jungle. The popular and traditional shoe store Salvador Artesano is located outside this area, but is worth a visit in its own right. Address: Partida Pla De Sant Josep, 324, Elche. Opening hours 10-14 and 16-20 Monday to Saturday. Closed on Sunday. Web: www.salvadorartesano.com.

Río Safari Elche

On the outskirts of Elche, near the coast towards Alicante, is a zoo that is a great option for the whole family. It is located in a palm grove that is more than a hundred years old. The zoo has been working to conserve animal species since 1983 and has a large selection of animals that have plenty of space and seem to be doing well.

As spectators, we get close enough to see them well. You can bring your own food, but there are also places to eat where you can buy food on site. The entrance fee includes a show with seals and a tour of a closed area for ring-tailed lemurs, which are only found in the wild in Madagascar. Read more about Río Safari Elche here:(https://en.turideer.com/post/rio-safari-elche-zoo-for-the-whole-family).

Museo Escolar de Pusol

The Museo Escolar de Pusol was established as an educational project in 1969. Over time, the museum has acquired more than 90,000 objects from the 19th and early 20th centuries, mainly through donations from private individuals. These objects give us an insight into what life was like in Elche in the old days. Located 5 kilometres outside the city of Elche, the museum is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has received many other awards. Opening hours may vary throughout the year, but the museum is open every day of the week, including public holidays. For more information, see Web: https://www.museopusol.com

Visiting Elche

As mentioned, the small, enclosed historic center of Elche (Centro Historico) is the most interesting part of the city for tourists. The historic buildings are located in the Centro Historico, but it is also nice to stroll in the surrounding neighborhoods. Here you will find restaurants, older stately buildings, murals and other decorations.

Murals in the neighborhoods near the Centro Historico

Shoes mounted on wall - a symbol of the city's leading role as a shoe manufacturer in Spain

The Basílica restaurant is located on the church square outside the Basílica de Santa María church in Elche. It offers good food and a nice place to take a break.

The tourist information office is located right next to the Palacio de Altamira where you come up from the parking garage.

More excursions: www.turideer.com

Excursion of the week: Tour of the historic center of Elche - the city of shoes and palm trees

Suitable for: Everyone, but some of the museums are not wheelchair accessible.

Getting there: Enter Parking Saba Traspalacio in Google Maps. It is located between the large palm gardens and the Centro Historico.

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