Quality of Life
Cultural offerings
One of the rooms of city’s archaeological history museum (MAHE)
More than two thousand years of history, more particularly of Iberian and Roman cultures, have left Elche with a rich historical heritage which can be enjoyed and seen in the city’s museums. The most important is the city’s archaeological history museum (MAHE), a modern museum located in the city’s castle Castillo de Altamira. Opened in May 2006, it temporarily hosted the original bust of the Lady of Elche (Dama de Elche). In the first month this touristic and cultural facility, which shows exhibits from prehistoric times to the present day, was open it received more than 100,000 visitors.
The Centre de Visitants (Visitor Centre), located in the Municipal Park, helps you to get to know the peculiarities of the city, tourist attractions and the nature of the people of Elche. As well as the archaeological history museum MAHE, also to be visited in the local area are Parc Arqueològic i Museu de l’Alcudia (L’Alcúdia archaeological park and museum), where Iberian and Roman remains can be found; Museu Paleontològic d’Elx (Elche Paleontology Museum) located in the square Replaceta de San Joan; Museu del Palmerar, where a trail starts and continues through the historical orchards of Elche; Museu de la Festa, which shows visitors all of the details of the musical Misteri, the staging and some of the most important sets of the show using the latest technology; Museo Agrícola de Puçol (Puçol Museum of Agriculture) which shows the ways of life and the agricultural implements used by past generations of Elche; and the Arab baths, a legacy of Andalusian culture, offering a complete perspective for getting to know the history of the city and its inhabitants.
El Espai d’Art (‘art space’) brings art out on the streetElche also has exhibition centres where art can be enjoyed, such as the Contemporary Art Museum, situated in the old town hall in the neighbourhood Raval, which has an important collection of avant-garde art, especially Spanish paintings; and the Espai d’Art d’Elx, located in the Passeig de l’Estació, which includes a display of the different avant-garde styles in contemporary sculpture.
Other witnesses to the cultural heritage of the city are the tower Torre de Calenhura or the town hall (Ayuntamiento), emblematic monuments in the city of great historical value. Not to be forgotten is the church Basílica de Santa María, an 18th century building which stands out due to its façade, designed by artist Nicolás de Bussi, where every year the Misteri d’Elx is held, a sacrolyric drama which is one of a kind in the world.
However, without a doubt, the most important legacy of the city is the Dama de Elche, the best and most significant piece of Iberian culture, which was found in the Alcudia archaeological site. For the second time since its discovery it has returned to Elche. La Dama d’Elx together with the Palmeral and the Misteri (both declared World Heritages by UNESCO), represent the most emblematic symbols of the cultural identity of the people of Elche.
International Festival of Theatre and Mediaeval Music Various festivals stand out as special activities in the annual celebrations: the International Festival of Mediaeval Theatre and Music, which brings together both national groups and groups from overseas, Elche’s International Festival of Independent Cinema, Mestival and the International Festival of Oral Expression.
The restored theatre Gran Teatro has a constant programme of cultural activities throughout the year. The modern congress centre, Centro de Congresos, boasts all of the technology necessary to host both national and international professional meetings. It has an auditorium with over 400 seats, as well as new multi-purpose conference and exhibition rooms. Both venues are fundamental in the organisation of events in the city.
