Elche, ruta monumental

Culture

The route begins at the Visitor Center, located inside the Municipal Park in the heart of the palm grove. At the exit of the Park, there is the Tourist Office, where additional information about the city can be obtained. From this point, visitors can first go to the Altamira Palace, an old military fortress that houses the Archaeological and History Museum of Elche. Opposite it, across the street, stands the magnificent Basilica of Santa Maria, inside which El Misteri d'Elx, a medieval sacrolyric drama declared a World Heritage Site, is held annually. Continuing with the tour, we take Carrer Major de la Vila and the true axis of Vila Murada where the old Hospital de la Caritat is located, built in the s. XIV and that today houses the headquarters of the National Board of the Misteri d'Elx, the so-called Casa de la Festa. On the same path we find the Hermitage of Sant Sebastià from the beginning of the s. XV and that was originally a Gothic church. This building has been recently restored to house the Municipal Museum of the Festa. After learning a little more about the ins and outs of the Festa or Misteri d'Elx, the city's greatest cultural heritage, we can go to the Town Hall, the oldest town hall in the south of the Valencian Country, next to which stands the Torre de Calendura. We continue the tour through Corredora and Hospital streets, an important part of Elche's traditional commerce, and we arrive at the Glorieta, an authentic meeting place with its terraces and cafeterias where we also find the Gran Teatro. Following Carrer Ample we advance to Passeig de les Eres de Santa Llúcia to find the Convent of Nuestra Señora de la Merced from the s. XIV. In the basement of the building, the Arab baths have been restored, which provide insight into the customs of the Muslim community during their long settlement in the city. Another element that can give an idea of ​​the importance and magnitude of the walled enclosure that surrounded Elche, is the Torre de La Calahorra. Construction of Arab origin, which defended the most important entrance to the city. Back, we find ourselves again in the Municipal Park from where we started. Inside we can find the construction of the Molí del Real, a medieval flour mill moved by the force of water from the Acequia Mayor del Pantano, which irrigates the palm groves.