THE SCULPTURES:

West of the Imperial Palm lies the stone bust of Juan Orts Román, an erudite that studied Elche, its palm tress and its Mystery. He was the owner of the garden between 1940 and 1958 and it was during this period that, owing to his efforts, the Huerto del Cura was granted with the status of National Artistic Garden in 1943. 

North of the central roundabout lies the bust dedicated to King James 1st the Conqueror, who freed Elche from the Moorish domination during the 13th century, in year 1265. This King is also thought to have protected the palm grove in the first stages.Tradition has it that, contrary to the fashion of that era, he banned the destruction of the wood surrounding the city.

Very near King James’s bust lies the mobile sculpture entitled “The Tower of Babel”, authored by the cinematic Alicante artist Eusebio Sempere (1924-1985), awarded the Príncipe de Asturias prize in 1983.