Palmeral of Elche facts for kids
| UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
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| Location | Elche, Province of Alicante, Valencian Community, Spain |
| Criteria | Cultural: (ii), (v) |
| Inscription | 2000 (24th Session) |
The Palmeral or Palm Grove of Elche is a huge collection of date palm trees in the city of Elche, Spain. It's like a giant forest of palms right inside and around the city!
This amazing palm grove is very special. It's the only one of its kind in all of Europe. In 2000, the Palmeral of Elche was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This means it's considered very important for everyone in the world to protect and enjoy.
There are about 97 different palm orchards within the city of Elche. These orchards hold around 70,000 date palms. Most of them are on the east side of the Vinalopó river. If you count the plantations outside the city, there might be close to 200,000 palms in total! The whole palm grove covers over 3.5 square kilometers (about 1.35 square miles). About 1.5 square kilometers (0.58 square miles) of this is right in the city of Elche.
Contents
What Makes the Palm Grove of Elche Special?
A Unique Landscape in Europe
The Palmeral of Elche is truly unique. You won't find another palm grove like it anywhere else in Europe. It stands out because of its large size and how it's been cared for over many centuries. It's a living example of how people have used the land in a smart way for a very long time.
Ancient Farming Methods
The way the palms are grown and watered here is very old. It uses methods that were developed by people who lived here many, many years ago. These methods help the palms grow well even in a dry area. It shows how clever ancient civilizations were at farming.
History of the Palm Grove
How the Palmeral Started
The first palm trees were likely planted in Elche by the Phoenicians around the 5th century BC. Later, the Romans also helped to expand the palm groves. However, the current layout of the Palmeral was mostly created during the time of the Muslim rule in Spain, starting around the 10th century.
Smart Water Systems
The people who lived here long ago built a clever irrigation system. This system uses canals and ditches to bring water to all the palm trees. This was very important because Elche is in a dry region. This ancient watering system is still used today to keep the palms healthy.
Types of Palms and Their Uses
Date Palms and Their Fruit
Most of the trees in the Palmeral are date palms. These trees are famous for their sweet, edible dates. Dates are a very important crop in this area. They are harvested in the autumn and are a popular food.
Other Uses of Palm Trees
Besides dates, the palm trees have other uses. Their leaves are used to make crafts, like baskets and hats. The white, blanched palm leaves are also used in religious ceremonies, especially during Palm Sunday. This tradition is very important in Elche.
Visiting the Palmeral
Exploring the Orchards
Many parts of the Palmeral are open to visitors. You can walk through the beautiful orchards and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere. It's a great place to learn about the history and nature of the area.
Hort del Cura: A Famous Garden
One of the most famous parts of the Palmeral is the Hort del Cura, or "Priest's Garden." This garden is home to the famous "Imperial Palm" (Palmera Imperial). This special palm tree has seven branches that look like a candelabra. It's named after Empress Elisabeth of Austria, who visited Elche in 1894.
Images for kids
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The orchards within the dotted line are the ones protected by the World Heritage Site declaration. Orchards in green are public, those in yellow, private. The Vinalopó stream marks the left limit of the Site
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The "Imperial Palm" (Palmera Imperial) in the Hort del Cura.
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Fuente La Gloriera in Municipal Park
See also
In Spanish: Palmeral de Elche para niños
