Huerto del Cura, Historic botanical garden in Elche, Spain.
Huerto del Cura is a botanical garden in Elche covering more than 12,000 square meters, with Mediterranean and tropical plants arranged along paths. Ponds with fish run through the space, creating spots where water flows past the palms.
The garden was declared a National Artistic Garden in 1943 and grew out of work by chaplain José Castaño Sánchez, who transformed an agricultural plot into a botanical collection. The transformation shows how a rural property became a thoughtful place over time.
The garden is part of Elche's Palm Grove, which demonstrates Arab farming methods and has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2000. Visitors can observe how traditional irrigation techniques still shape the plantings today.
The garden opens daily and visitors should expect regular admission fees, which apply for adults while seniors, students, children, and Elche residents receive discounts. Comfortable shoes and sun protection matter since paths lead through the green grounds.
The Imperial Palm was named in 1894 after Empress Elisabeth of Austria and stands out for seven branches growing from a single trunk about two meters above ground. This unusual form with its spreading arms makes it one of the garden's signature features.
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