Elx is located on the Costa Blanca and is surrounded by more than 300,000 palm trees; it is the third most populous city of the Valencian Region. Elx encompasses the entire range of attractions that the province has to offer its visitors: pre-history, history, natural riches, beaches and the influence of its citizens on culture and traditions are all elements that are worthy of note in this modern, thriving and growing city. Its extensive municipal district is situated between the Sierras del Molar, Tabaià and Castellar and the sea and comprises the fertile irrigated lands of Camp d'Elx, dotted with rural hamlets such as Les Baies, Perleta, Els Bassars, Torrelano, L'Altet and Matola... The Vinalopó River crosses Elx and a reservoir was built in 1632. Various native species are encountered within the district such as the Elche Poplar and within the municipality is an area declared to be of immense ecological value: the Laguna del Fondo. The former location of Elx, L'Alcudia, is located two kilometres away in the direction of Dolores. This site contains traces of prehistoric cultures (from Neolithic to Iberian) as well as vestiges from the Romans, the Visigoths and the Moors. It is from this site that the bust known as the Dama d'Elx, currently on display in the Archaeological Museum of Madrid, was discovered, and there is a museum recounting the history of this significant and ancient city at the actual discovery site. The city was abandoned in the 10th century and its inhabitants moved to the site of present day Elx. The Moors surrounded the new city of Elx with palm trees, which led some Islamic chroniclers in the 11th century to compare the city to Mecca, the Holy city of Islam. In 1265 the city finally passed to the Catalan/Aragon crown under Jaime II. The Christians occupied the Vila Murada whilst the Moors moved south to the el Raval quarter. The Vila Murada contains the finest elements of Elx's historical heritage - the Palace of Altamira, the Citadel of the Sentoría, the Basilica of Santa María, the Moorish Calaforra fortress, the Ayuntamiento, the Moorish Baths and the Convent of the Mercé. The area is easy to visit, as all buildings are located within a short distance of each other. The Municipal Archaeological Museum is inside the Altamira Palace. Its 300,000 palm trees contribute to Elx's uniqueness and have become a symbol of its identity. These palm trees make up the southernmost and most extensive palm tree grove in Europe and were declared to be a World Heritage Site by the World Heritage Committee of the UNESCO during its meeting of the 30 November 2000. The Municipal Park is located near the Municipal Tourist Office and provides the space to relax, play or watch open-air performances. Another park to the southeast, the Huerto del Cura (Priest's Garden) is also worth mentioning. In this park you can see the seven-armed palm tree, much admired by the Empress Sissi, and a cactus garden. There are two watchtowers in the palm tree grove surrounding the city: to the north, the Vaïllos de Llanos and to the south, the Ressemblanc. The 12 kilometre coastline of Elx is located 15 minutes from the city. The coast is divided into two areas of the beaches, those belonging to Altet area and those belonging to the Marina. In the Altet area the Els Arenals del Sol is one of the most frequented beaches and there is also a free beach known as El Carabassí. The beaches in the Marina are friendly and welcoming, and are surrounded by dunes and pine trees - the El Pinet, La Marina, Les Pesqueres and El Rebollo beaches. Although Elx can be visited at any time throughout the year, the best period to visit the city is during the month of August when it celebrates fiestas in honour of the Virgin of the Assumption. A medieval lyrical and religious mystery play, the Misteri, is performed at this time and is an event that has recently been declared a World Heritage Event (vocal and nonphysical) by UNESCO. There are two acts, the Vesprà and the Festa, and the play is performed on the 14th and 15th in the Basilica of Santa María (St Mary).