With over 1000 shoe factories, Elche (Elx) is recognized as the only place to buy shoes. While you are rushing to purchase shoes, make it a point to visit this hidden gem that just happens to be in the neighbourhood.

Hort del Cura (Priest's Garden)

Between Santa Pola and Alicante lies the "Palm Tree Capitol of the World." The popularity of Hort del Cura was evident even in the early 20th century as a great attraction. To gather tourists from all over the continent Hort del Cura was listed in 1908 edition of Baedeker tourist guide.
Hort del Cura is estimated to first be established by the Phoenicians in the 7th Century BC with the date palm trees as a staple for diet. Some of these date palms still have existed for 3000 years and about 95 per cent of the palms here are date palms.

This is no ordinary botanical garden. Professing more than 700 palm trees it also includes a wide range mixture of Mediterranean and sub-tropical plants surrounding a pond thus creating a refuge of peace in an otherwise busy location. The quiet atmosphere allows everyone the opportunity to walk around and explore and regenerate with nature.

Once the palms are harvested each year, it makes for another viable commodity in Elche, other than shoes, as being the main supplier of dry palms to make crosses for use on Palm Sunday.

The gardens most important asset is a unique palm tree said to be about 170 years old; La Palmera Imperial. This was named in honour of a visit by the Empress of Austria in 1894. With its seven branches, it gives the appearance of a large candelabra where each branch alone weighs two tonnes.

Sculptures are dotted throughout such as a bust King Jaime I. It commemorates him for saving the palms of Elche from being destroyed after the city was taken over by the Moors in 1265.

A popular stop off within the gardens is the Rock Garden and Cactus section. One will feel as though they y are in Mexico or the Wild West rather than Spain. The numerous collection of cacti are back dropped against the cascade of rocks and makes for delightful photos to send the folks back home.

A small chapel holds the remains of Juan Orts Roman, who remodelled the gardens to its present glory and he ensured that Hort del Cura receive international attention that it deserved.

Hort del Cura has a particular appeal for nature-loving visitors alike but you need not be one to enjoy and partake for a few hours here to re-charge your batteries. Needless to say, Hort del Cura is officially a UNESCO World Heritage site and rightfully so.

How to Get To Hort del Cura and Elche:

The A7 (E15) links Elche from Alicante (50 kilometres) or with the newly completed Alicante to Murcia A32 (toll motorway). Elche is also 50 kilometres from Murcia.

Frequent train service in both directions from Alicante or Murcia can take you to Elche which has a modern coach station located next to the train station to whisk you to Hort del Cura.