Property: The Palmeral of Elche
Id. N°: 930
State Party: Spain
Criteria: C (ii) (v)
The Committee decided to inscribe this property on the World Heritage List on the basis of criteria (ii) and (v):
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.
The Committee noted the change of name of the property from The Palmeral of Elche: A Cultural landscape Inherited from Al-Andalus to The Palmeral of Elche.