Located in the province of Alicante, Elche is famous for its palm tree grove, historic quarter and beautiful landscape.
Vila Murada, the walled enclosure, lies on the banks of the Vinalopo River. Here, visitors can find Calahorra, a Moorish tower; the Palace of Altamira, housing the local Archaeological Museum; Casa de Vila, now the City Hall; and the Basilica Santa Maria, built over an old mosque and several Christian temples. Outside the old walls, lie the Convent of La Merce and the ancient Arab public baths.
Elche is famous for two holiday celebrations: the Mystery of Elchen, a sacred musical drama of the death, assumption and crowning of the Virgin; and Palm Sunday ('Domingo de Ramos').
Some of Elche's specialties include fish prepared in different ways: 'a banda' (cooked with fish stock), with rabbit and snails, 'con costra' (with sausages and egg), as a stew or dry.
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