Majestic Palms and Mystery Play of Elche
A Cultural Oasis.
We Brits love Spain, and Valencia in particular. Its sun-kissed beaches, its nightlife. But there is much more to popular tourist regions than toasting in the sun and toasting in a bar. There are the stunning palms and the celebrated Mystery Play in the town of Elche. It’s real Spain and at its cultural finest, too!
The Palm Grove has been here for hundreds of years. Carthaginian settlers came to the town of Ilici in the 5th century BC and are thought to be responsible for planting the first date palms. The Palmeral is the only surviving palm grove in Europe with North African origins, and the largest on the continent. The groves have been maintained by caliphates and other governments throughout the ages, and they are now recognised internationally.
Elche and its surrounding land grow a staggering 200,000 palms. The Palm Grove has an area of 3.5 km2 and includes the National Artistic Garden, Palm Grove Museum, Route of El Palmeral, and Municipal Park. It’s the perfect calming spot away from the hectic beach vibe.
In 2000 the World Heritage Committee of UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization) designated the Palm Grove and El Misteri d’Elx (The Mystery of Elche) as a World Heritage Site.
The Mystery Play of Elche is a religious medieval music spectacular offering scenes from the death, assumption, and coronation of the Virgin Mary. It is enacted on August 14th and 15th in the beautiful Basilica of Santa Maria.
The drama is sung in the local and ancient Valencian language and is set to both medieval Renaissance and Baroque music. The stage is unique and constructed each year with dual-level layout representing earth and heaven.
This extraordinary event is special not only for its historic importance but for the fact that it is performed by amateur locals. All the parts are played by men and boys who audition and rehearse for the opportunity to sing. Generations of the citizens of Elche have performed or watched this unchanged living masterpiece. It’s a fine example of cultural continuity.
