The Palmeral of Elche, a landscape of groves of date palms, was formally laid out, with elaborate irrigation systems, at the time the Muslim city of Elche was erected, towards the end of the tenth century A.C., when much of the Iberian peninsula was Arab. The Palmeral is an oasis, a system for agrarian production in arid areas. It is also a unique example of Arab agricultural practices on the European continent. Cultivation of date palms in Elche is known at least since the Iberian times, dating around the fifth century B.C.

The site was inscribed in 2000 under two criteria: Criterion (ii): The Palmeral (palm groves) of Elche represent a remarkable example of the transference of a characteristic landscape from one culture and continent to another, in this case from North Africa to Europe. Criterion (v): The palm grove or garden is a typical feature of the North African landscape which was brought to Europe during the Islamic occupation of much of the Iberian peninsula and has survived to the present day. The ancient irrigation system, which is still functioning, is of special interest.

With almost 988,42 acres of green spaces, more than 20m2 per inhabitant, Elche is one of the foremost Spanish cities in area of space devoted to parks and gardens.

The XVIII century Molino del Real Mill was powered by the waters of the Main Irrigation Channel which crosses the park.

The palm trees, the true protagonists of the garden, lend it its distinctive aspect.

Parks and gardens

The groves of palm trees are the most characteristic element of urban landscape of Elche. They wrap themselves round the city, like a huge green blanket, which is two kilometres long and one kilometre wide.

So numerous are the palm trees (around 200,000) that, observed from distance, they give the appearance of a veritable forest.

However, the Palm Grove is not a natural forest, but a cultured landscape, as planned in its layout as any Renaissance garden. It was created with agricultural production as its aim, which may not be understood without taking into account the complex irrigation system that gives it shape.

The Municipal Park contains several features of architectural interest, such as the 1980s bandstand and its adjacent dovecote.

The site combines agricultural purpose (white palm trees and dates), importance as a landscape and cultural symbolism with its role as an integral part of the urban fabric.

With over two hundred thousand palm trees it constitutes the largest palm grove in Europe.

Palm Grove Museum and Interpretation Centre

A traditional 19th century house was chosen as the ideal setting for this museum and educational facility. The house has two wings connected by a covered wooden bridge and is located in the heart of the city at the grove known as Huerto de San Plácido, quite close to Huerto del Cura and on the Palm Grove Walk.

Not surprisingly it is surrounded by palm trees and their history, uses and evolution are divulged in the various exhibition rooms inside by way of videos, panels, displays, tactile screens and ambience sound.

The Palm Grove Museum may be complemented by a stroll in the garden, where the work of a palm tree specialist may be seen as well as demonstrations of the plaiting of White Palms.

Thirty villages, or rural districts, make up a varied mosaic, with common features but also differences which give each its own particular identity.

The Camp d’Elx (the Elche Countryside) takes up the lion’s share of the extensive municipal district. The city itself represents less than four per cent of its 80.556,4 acres area.

Many artists prefer to stay behind the canvas or camera, but these eminent artists didn't shy away from portraiture. Scroll to see painted portraits side-by-side with photographs.

Pierre-Auguste Renoir was a celebrated painter who lived from 1841 to 1919. In 1876, the French Impressionist captured himself in oil surrounded by hazy, overlapping brushstrokes. This piece hangs in the Harvard Art Museum.

During his later years, Renoir became stricken with arthritis, but continued to paint. He's shown painting outdoors here with a brush tied to his hand. This photograph is part of the LIFE Photo Collection

One of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo's most frequent subjects was herself. This 1954 piece, Marxism Will Give Health to the Ill, appears at the Museo Frida Kahlo in Coyoacán, Mexico.

This photo by Bernard Silberstein was taken around 1940. Kahlo is seated in front of a plain backdrop, adorned in traditional garments and a headdress of bougainvillea and white rose. Both this photo and the previous painting appear courtesy of the Museo Frida Kahlo.

In 1931, Kahlo also painted herself alongside her husband, Diego Rivera. A celebrated painter in his own right, Rivera was renowned for large, colorful frescoes. This piece currently resides at the San Francisco MOMA.

This photograph of Diego Rivera shows the artist seated next to one of the beloved dogs who lived at La Casa Azul with Kahlo and Rivera. This picture also appears courtesy of the Museo Frida Kahlo.

Great art is able to convey so much more than just colour and form. It can communicate emotions and ideas, tell stories and even challenge and confuse. Not all of this is immediately evident and it can take time and effort to work out the true meaning of any work.    

For the most part, the artist wants the viewer to understand the context and meaning of any painting. But that’s not always the case. Sometimes artists include hidden messages in their work, hiding them away so that only a select few people can understand their true significance.
 
Below we look at five paintings and discover the hidden messages not everybody was supposed to see. 

Vincent Van Gogh, 1888

Painted in 1888, Van Gogh’s classic is one of his most recognizable works. The scene depicts a seemingly ordinary café on a cobbled street. A waiter stands to take an order while patrons sit around leisurely. 

However, scholars have begun to believe the painting features an homage to Leonardo da Vinci. The twelve figures at the back sit beneath what looks like a cross. It also transpires Van Gogh declared a ‘tremendous need for religion’ in a letter to his brother around this time. 

The 12 sit along one side of their tables, like Leonardo's disciples, and a shadowy figure departs the scene like Judas.

Leonardo da Vinci, 1490s

Of course, The Last Supper itself is said to contain hidden messages. As one of the most famous paintings in history, and a deeply important religious work, it's not surprising that people have often looked hard for deeper meanings.

In 2007, an Italian musician claimed to have found a selection of musical notes in the painting, hidden in bread rolls and other table features. When played they create a 40-second composition. It’s not impossible, given that Leonardo was a fine musician himself.

Frida Kahlo, 1929

Not all hidden meanings are meant to be publicly discovered. This is especially true of Kahlo’s El Autobus. What appears to be a simple depiction of Mexican society laid out on a wooden bench at a bus stop may have a more personal tone.

Four years before she painted it, Kahlo had been involved in a bus accident that left a permanent scar. The woman to the right of the picture appears to be Kahlo and the man in the blue overalls apparently bears a striking resemblance to the man who pulled an iron bar from her stomach after the accident.   

L.S. Lowry, 1926

L.S Lowry’s pictures are renowned for depicting working class life in the north west during the early to mid 20th century. His matchstick figures have entered the popular consciousness, even inspiring a song.

However, his pictures are more than just happy matchstick people going about their day. Many contain small scenes of hardship and despair. This is particularly true of 1926’s An Accident which may feature a scene inspired by a local tragedy – giving his works a much deeper social meaning. 

Michelangelo, 1477-1480

One of the great figures of the Renaissance, Michelangelo took years to create his masterpiece on the Sistine Chapel ceiling. However, there may be more on display than simply incredible beauty.

Art historians believe his work contains several hidden anatomical sketches, including an image of the human brain, disguised in the creation scene. This is believed to be a criticism of the Church’s attitudes to the science and discovery that was happening all around.