La Bella Lola Torrevieja
She gazes out to sea, seeking a husband who will never return
La Bella Lola is a sculptural piece, set against the rocky setting of the Cala del Moro in front of the Paseo marítimo Juan Aparicio de Torrevieja.(Click link for map)
This paseo is often referred to locally as the paseo “de las Rocas” as the first part of the paseo runs along rocky outcrops, rather than sandy beach.
At this end of the paseo is a sculptural piece called the Monumento al Hombre del Mar, or monument to the man of the sea, made by Josep Ricart i Maimir in 1975, which pays homage to mariners and the fishing tradition of the municipality. Events taking place at this end of the paseo are often described as being “in front of the Hombre del Mar”.
One of these men was Antonio, the beloved husband of Lola, who went out to sea on “La Gaviota” along with his nine companions and was never seen again.
A widespread search yielded nothing, and finally he was given up as lost on the 12th May 1919.
But Lola refused to accept his loss and sat resolutely on the rocks day after day looking for her beloved, the waves lapping her bare feet, the wind catching her white cotton nightshirt, hair tied into a knot, day after day, seeking Antonio.
And she remains there today, symbolising all of the women who have watched their men head out to sea, never to return again…….
La Bella Lola is a popular tourist attraction and has been included in thousands of holiday snaps alongside visitors to the municipality.
A replica of the piece, made by Carmen Fraile, was presented to the City of Oviedo during the twinning ceremony with Torrevieja in 2009.
The name La Bella Lola, is also that of a famous habanera, composed by Arturo Dúo Vital.
Each year Torrevieja is immersed in the music of the Habaneras, holding its annual Habaneras festival, which fills the town with music every summer.
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