When did you start coming here?
Esclapez
“I was about two, but I don’t
remember. The first memory I have of
it is when I was eight – a classmate
and I came to draw the Imperial palm [a
date palm shaped like a candelabra] just
because we wanted to.”
What´s the appeal?
Marco
“If you’re from Elche you’re born
among the palms. It’s almost obligatory
to like the Huerto del Cura. It’s
something that’s inside of you. I love
the variety of different trees: they’ve got
palms here from all over the world.”
Esclapez
“What I like about the Huerto
del Cura is not just the palm trees, but
all the other nature: the cacti and the
peacocks wandering around. It’s
perfect for disconnecting from the city,
completely isolated from all the noise,
surrounded by nature. There are lots of
cities that have parks, but not like this.
It’s great to come here and read a book
or take a walk.”
Who comes here?
Esclapez
“All kinds of people – families,
students. It’s an emblem of the city, so
it’s almost obligatory to come here. It’s
also a place where artists come to paint
or draw and there are lots of tourists
who come to see the Imperial palm,
because it’s unique in the world.”
What´s your order?
Esclapez
“The kiosk here is the perfect
place to buy fruit, such as dates,
licor de
dátiles
[date liquor], fig bread and, my
favourite, date bread with almonds.”
Marco
“I love the fresh dates here.
They’re so much better than the ones
you get in the supermarket.”
What keeps you coming back?
Esclapez
“Lots of cities have an Old
Town, but we have 2,000-year-old
gardens. They’re part of our history.”
Rosana Esclapez and David Marco play
Mary and Joseph in Belén Viviente (Live
Bethlehem) at the Hort del Xocolator,
Calle Cases de la Mare de Déu, Elche,
Alicante, 25 December till 6 January. See
yourcostablancaplan.com
for more
AS TOLD TO
TREVOR BAKER
PHOTO
RAFA GALÁN
David Marco
& Rosana
Esclapez
Mary and Joseph performers
LOVE
EL HUERTO DEL
CURA
(The Priest’s Orchard)
49 Porta de la Morera,
Elche, ALICANTE 03203
+34 965 451 936
jardin.huertodelcura.com
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T H E R E A L R E G U L A R S
