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The Huerto del Cura, the most visited place in Elche, was created by a mix of coincidence and a love for nature. This garden owes its enormous popularity primarily to the presence of the majestic Imperial Palm. But over the years, this crowd-puller has been joined by some 250 other palms. The most special thing is that no fewer than 70 (!) Different types of palms from all over the world have found their place in the garden. In addition, more and more rock gardens with the most diverse cactus species from the driest regions of the planet have been added to the garden.
But let's go back to the very beginning. The local caper Jose Castano inherited an orchard from his father in the second half of the 19th century. It was little more than a large country garden with some fruit trees, a vegetable garden and a few date palms. There were some chickens and some cattle, and that was it.
But the nature lover realized that he had something special. Proudly amidst the ordinary trees stood a date palm, which with its candalabra-like appearance defied all biological laws. Side shoots are very common in date palms. The strange thing about this tree is that they only started to grow after 30 years. Normally happens after 10 to 15 years. Even more unusual was that the seven new shoots sprouted at a height of two meters, where this normally happens at the base of the trunk. And after all, everyone was amazed at the perfect symmetry of the new recruits.
The unique tree inspired the cone, and the owners after him, to transform the orchard into something very special. An important token of appreciation came when Empress Sissi of Austria unexpectedly visited the garden in 1894. After that high visit, the tree was officially named the Imperial Palm. In 1943, the Huerto del Cura was also awarded the designation of 'National Artistic Garden'.
Although new elements are still being added, the current garden is already a feast for the eyes. Of course the Imperial Palm, all kinds of other palms and the cactus gardens demand a lot of attention. But it is the various ponds that add a peaceful rest to a visit to the garden. The strategically placed statues of important people in the history of the garden give the whole a clear historical perspective.
