Elche City Centre uerto del Cura

- Basilica de Santa Maria, Vinalopó, MAHE, MARQ, Centre de Congresos, Palmeral de Elche, Placa Glorieta, Plaza de Santa Isabel, Carrer de la Diagonal de Palau

The city centre is mostly modern, but there is a historic part where you find the old church and other buildings. Significant for the centre of Elche is all palms and several palm gardens, parks and squares filled with palms, a heritage from the Phoenicians several thousands years ago! Huerto del Cura is the most famous palm garden.
Vinalopó River, that is more like a creek surrounded by trees then a river, since it is mostly dry, divides the city in two parts with the city centre and old town to the right, where you find most of the palm gardens, in Elche called huertos. Several bridges passes high above Vinalopó, of which two modern suspension bridge with interesting design, and some old ones in classic style. In the heart of the Old Town you find Plaça del Congrés Eucarístic. Around this square and Placa de Santa Isabel, you find the Basilica de Santa Maria, a large beautiful church with blue roof, the Museum of Archeology and History (MAHE) that is situated in a modern building built above ruins that are visible from above and he Archaeological Museum of Alicante (MARQ) in Palacio de Altamira de Elche with it's ruins that can be seen from above. The current Santa Maria Basilica was finished in 1784, the previous church, built in Valencian baroque style, was built above the site of a Moorish mosque. Unfortunately the church wasn't open the afternoon we visited. The Town Hall (Ajuntamiento d'Elx) is also situated there, next to the river, and consist of one modern and one old part. Another nice square is Placa Glorieta with a nice postmodern building, beautiful tile benches and open air restaurants. The city centre is a bit dead daytime but really comes alive in the late afternoon.