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When visiting Elx you will find a surprising city where several
possibilities await you. A number of civilizations have left their marks
in a vast district of 326 Km2. You will enjoy both of a privileged
envrionment and a remarkable architectural and cultural heritage.
Recently the city was distinguished with two international UNESCO
awards. Both the Palm Groves and the medieval play known as the Misterí
d’Elx were listed as World Heritage. These worthy of mention landmarks
are deeply rooted in the feelings of the people of Elx where they have
been passed on for centuries to future generations.
Elx has a small historical centre with remarkable buildings and
monuments. After the Muslim invasion of Spain in the 8th century, the
ancient Roman colony of Illice, situated in l’Alcudía, moved to the
present site of the city. The Monumental Route enables you to see the
main architectural styles making up for Europe’s historical past since
the 10th century.
The Urban landscape in Elx is very special indeed since most of the Elx
Palm Groves, the largest Oasis in Europe, surround the old part of the
city. Many of the groves are opened to the public as beautiful parks and
gardens.
Landscape
The Elx district is full of surprises. The coast is 12 km from the city
where 9 km of exceptionally protected beaches await you. For the most
part, building has been highly restricted and highly valued protected
areas include the dunes of the Carabassi and the beaches of La Marina
d’Elx. There are three thriving tourist developments around l’Altet, els
Arenals del Sol and La Marina D’Elx.
It is also possible to enjoy three typical Mediterranean marshland areas
offering extraordinary biotic characteristics: the lagoons of the Parc
Natural del Fondo d’Elx-Crevillient, where a great diversity of flora
and fauna live in its 2.387 hectares; the Clot de Galvany, an important
natural reserve and, last but not least, the salt marshes of the Parc
Natural de les Salines de Santa Pola d’Elx.
In the Elx countryside you can also visit l’Alcudía, an archaeological
site in the Dolores Road. It was here that an Iberian bust known as the
Dama d’Elx was found and you can visit both the site and the museum. In
the rural area of Puçol, a few kilometres from town, you can also visit
the Centre de Cultural Traditional, devoted too the Elx.
World Heritage
Elx is now one of the few cities in the world with two UNESCO World
Heritage awards, for its cherished heritage: the Elx Palm Groves and the
Misteri d’Elx play. Both are closely related to the city’s historical
past and identity, and it is hard to understand Elx without them.
The Elx Palm Groves
Palm groves have become the city’s of Elx most expressive image. They
are much more than a landscape for tourists. Moreover, they are a
feature of the town’s personality, since it endows the town’s planning
with a special model. Palms can be seen in the decoration of Iberian
vases from the 2nd century B.C. indicating that they were used in
cultural rites and celebrations. Nevertheless, the present palm groves
farming and irrigation system dates from the Muslim culture.
With over 200.000 palm-trees, palm groves are protected by law an d
great care is taken in reforestation. Apart from the characteristic
landscape, palm trees produce dates and white palms for the Palm Sunday
Procession, declared of International Tourist Interest. They also
reappear in the Misteri d’Elx play when a angel descends from heaven
offering a white palm to the Blessed Virgin Mary. The most visited palm
groves include the Huerto del Cura, The Municipal, Jaume I Filet de Fora
Parks.
The Mystery Play of Elx
The Misteri or Fiesta d’Elx is a sung medieval sacred drama play
belonging to performances linked to the Assumption of Mary witch were
held in southern Europe. After the council of Trento forbade
performances within the walls of Catholic churches, the Misteri d’Elx
became the only vestige of an ancient tradition after obtaining a bull
from Pope Urban VIII in 1632.
We are before a liturgical ceremony aimed to proclaim the Catholic dogma
of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The play is divided in two
acts, known a la Vespra (The Vespers) and La Fiesta and it is held,
every year, on the 14th and 15th August in the basilica of Saint Mary.
On of the play’s outstanding merits is the fact that singers are not
professional. People who prepare the play and the complex stage also do
so far altruistic reasons.
The space of the Elx Mistery Play, known locally as the festa d’Elx, is
clearly divided in two planes: horizontal-earth and
aerial-earth-vertical. In the centre of the basilica’s transept a square
stage is set, known as the cadafal (Cataphalque), to which one arrives
through a long corridor known as the andador. In the space a false
heaven canvas is set, at the dome’s base.
We must underline the use of aerial engines such a la Mangrana
(pomegranate) l’Araceli and la Coronació (coronation), which are used
for spectacular apparitions of angles, the Assumption of the Blessed
Virgin Mary or her coronation by the Holy Trinity.
Fiesta
The annual fiesta in Elx is held in August. Celebrations in honour of
Our Lady of the Assumption are widely known for the Misteri d’elx play,
a medieval sung drama depicting the death and assumption to heaven of
the Blessed Virgin Mary. On the night of the 13th August, known as the
Nit de l’Albá (Night of Dawn), spectacular fireworks enlighten the skies
of Elx in an uproar of colour and powder.
Another much loved fiesta is known as la vinguda de la Mare de Déu de
l’Assumpció (Our Lady’s of the Assumption Arrival) held in December. It
commemorates the finding f an arch floating on the waves in which,
according to tradition, them image of Our Lady an d the libretto of the
medieval play were found by the legendary coastguard Francesc Cantó. The
heyday in the Elx Holy week processions is Palm Sunday, declared a
Fiesta of International Tourist Interest. Tens of thousands of locally
produced white palms are carried in this procession, the Sunday before
Eastern.
Fiesta and history walk hand in hand again every year for the August,
Moors and Christians processions where parades and the embassy act are a
must.
Cuisine
Regional cuisine is waiting for you to discover it. The king dish of
local Elx cuisine is known as arrós amb crosta (a tasty rice incluiding
chicken, sausages and a top layer of omelette).
You can also ask for rice such as "rabbit and snails" and the no less
appreiated puxtero amb tarrongtes, (a stew including chicken, veal and
meat-balls).
For dessert, locally produced fruit incluides dates, figs and
pomegranates. We mus't forget the tortada d'Elx (almond cake) or the
traditional pa de figa (fig bread cake) traditional liqueurs include
cantueso (red lavender), paloma anisette and licor de dátil (date).
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