The Palmeral of Elche

The Palmeral of Elche

Elche is a coastal city in southeastern Spain. The Palmeral of Elche is an agricultural area with North African characteristics, where “Palmeral” means a place full of date palms. In ancient times, Phoenicians and Romans lived here. After the Moors occupied the region, they built water systems in the Palmeral to develop agriculture.

The Palmeral of Elche and the Muslim city of Elche began to be built around the same time in the late 10th century, when the Iberian Peninsula was mainly ruled by Arabs. The Palmeral is like an oasis in the desert, creating an agricultural miracle on the local barren land. It is also a unique example of Arab agricultural production on the European continent.

The history of date palm cultivation in Elche dates back quite far, beginning at least as early as the Iberian era in the 5th century BC. To this day, the Palmeral is the only surviving Arab-style agricultural area on the European continent, and the irrigation system built during the Middle Ages is still in operation.

Palmeral of Elche

Reason to visit: The only surviving Arab-style agricultural area on the European continent

Continent where the attraction is located: Europe【Europe】

Country/region where the attraction is located: Spain[Spain]

Province/autonomous community where the attraction is located: Valencian Autonomous Community [Valencian Autonomous Community]