 Following the "Reconquista" by the Christians (14th century), a local handicraft developed involving desiccated palms and their weaving for processional use in Palm Sunday.Also, improvements were added by the new settlers, such as the construction in the 17th century of Elche's dam in the Vinalopo, some 6 km upstream of Elche, for a better management of the Palm Grove irrigation.Similarly, laws were passed to protect the plantation .