Museu Arqueològic i d'Història d'Elx

The Museu Arqueològic i d'Història d'Elx (MAHE) is an archaeological and history museum in the heart of Elche that takes visitors through thousands of years of the city's past, from the Neolithic period to the present day.

Where is the museum and what buildings does it occupy?

MAHE is housed in two connected historic buildings: the Palacio de Altamira and the so-called Traspalacio. The mix of old architecture and modern exhibition design makes the building itself part of the experience — between the display rooms you can see sections of the medieval defensive wall and an old aqueduct, uncovered during construction work and left integrated into the visitor route.

What can you see in each part of the exhibition?

The Traspalacio section focuses on the earliest layers of Elche's history — the Iberian, Roman, Muslim and early Christian periods. Exhibits include sculptures of a bull and a sphinx, along with tools, weapons, ceramic vessels of various sizes, and medieval jewellery and coins.

The Palacio de Altamira continues the story forward — through the Christian conquest, the Baroque period, and on to the industrial revolution and modern times. This is also where you'll find the Torre del Homenaje (Homage Tower), a space with special significance for the city: it's where the original Lady of Elche was displayed in 2006, and today an exact replica can be seen in its place.

What is a visit to the museum like, and who is it for?

The exhibition is designed to work for different types of visitors, including families with children. Instead of relying purely on traditional display cases and text panels, the museum uses touch screens, audiovisual material and interactive stations to explain the context behind individual objects and time periods. Descriptions are also available in English, which makes the visit easier for international travellers.

The route combines three elements: genuine architectural remains (the wall, the aqueduct, the tower), original archaeological artefacts, and modern educational tools that help tie these fragments into one coherent story about the city.

Why visit MAHE while in Elche?

Elche is best known for its UNESCO-listed palm grove, but MAHE is where the layered, centuries-deep history behind that landscape becomes easiest to understand — from the earliest settlers, through successive Mediterranean civilisations, up to the present. For anyone interested in archaeology and regional history, it's one of the essential stops in the city, made even more convenient by its location in the historic centre, close to other landmarks.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is MAHE? It's an archaeological and history museum in Elche covering the city's story from the Neolithic period to the present, housed in two historic buildings — the Palacio de Altamira and the Traspalacio.

Can you see the original Lady of Elche at the museum? No — the original is kept in Madrid. In the Torre del Homenaje, where the original was displayed back in 2006, visitors today can see an exact replica.

What's a highlight beyond the exhibits themselves? The building itself: the visitor route preserves sections of the medieval defensive wall and an old aqueduct, visible between the exhibition rooms.

Is the exhibition accessible to visitors who don't speak Spanish? Yes, object descriptions are also provided in English, and interactive touch screens and audiovisual material further help visitors follow along.