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| A beautiful palm trees sea |
Cultivation of date palms in Elche is known at least
since the Iberian times (fifth century B.C.). Towards the tenth century A.C.,
when much of the Iberian Peninsula was Arab, the “Palmeral” of Elche, a
landscape of groves of date palms, was formally laid out, with an elaborate
irrigation system which is still functioning. It´s an UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000.
The Palmeral of Elche, represent a remarkable example of the transference
of a characteristic landscape from one culture and continent to another, from
the North Africa to Europe, and has survived to the present day at Elche.
This is the only palm grove of its type anywhere on the European continent.
The date palm trees of Elche (about 200.000), can grow to a height of more than
30 m and live for over 300 years.
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| Image of the Palmeral of Elche, one century ago. |
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| Collecting dates, one century ago |
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| Pruning a palm tree. |
During the last years there is a dangerous threat for the palm trees from Asia
and Africa: the red palm
weevil, a species of beetle. Their larvae
excavate holes in the trunk of palm trees,
weakening and even killing them.
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| The red palm weevil. |
The Palmeral isn´t a unique place, you can see it inside the city and in
the country around the town. The best places to see the Palmeral of Elche are:
Municipality Park (free admission)
Museo del Palmeral (small visitors centr¡er in a traditional house):
http://www.visitelche.com/en/cultural-tourism/visits/elche/museos/museo-del-palmeral/
Palm Grove Walk
http://www.visitelche.com/en/routes/ruta-del-palmeral/
Huerto del
cura (with entrance fee)
http://www.visitelche.com/en/ecotourism/parques-periurbanos/jardin-huerto-del-cura/ |
| Municipality Park - Partial view |
