Turisme d’Elx :: Routes

One way to start a visit to the city of Elche is from the Visitors’ Centre, located in the Municipal Park. At the Park’s exit is the Tourist Information Office, giving further information about the city.

Our homework done, the first place to visit is the Altamira palace. Formerly a fortress, it now houses the Archaeological City Museum.
On the other side of the road from the Museum rises the magnificent Basilica de Santa Maria de l’Assumpció where the Elche Mystery Play, a sacred lyrical drama and declared World Heritage, is held every year.

On our way again, we turn down the Carrer Major de la Vila, the main axis of the Vila Murada quarter where we can see the 14th century Hospital de la Caritat, today home to the National Trust for the Elche Mystery Play and therefore known as Casa de la Festa. Along the same street we also come across the 15th century shrine of Sant Sebastià. Originally a Gothic church it has recently been refurbished to house the Museu Municipal de la Festa, or Mystery Play Museum.

After having contemplated the details of the Mystery Play, the city’s greatest cultural asset, we direct our steps to the Ajuntament d’Elx, the oldest Town Hall in southern Valencia and next to which we can see the Calendura Tower.

We then continue along Corredora and Hospital streets, both part of Elche’s traditional shopping centre, before arriving at La Glorieta whose cafeterias with their terraces make it the centre of Elche’s social life and where we can also find the Gran Teatro theatre.
We then follow Ample street until we arrive at Passeig de les Eres de Santa Llúcia where we can see the 14th century Convent of Nostra Senyora de la Mercè. The cellars of the building boast restored Arab baths letting us know a little more of the lifestyle of the city’s Muslim inhabitants during its period as part of Moorish Spain. Another element that will give us some idea of the size of the walled city of Elche is the Arab-built La Calaforra tower that defended the city’s main entrance.

Once again, we find ourselves in the Municipal Park, our starting point. Here we can admire the Molí del Real, a medieval flourmill powered by the waters from the Acequia Mayor del Pantano, or main irrigation channel, that brings water to the palm trees.