Dolores - Alicante Province
Town in the Vega Baja
Dolores is town located in the comarca of Vega Baja del Segura in southern Alicante province, Spain. The town is in the heart of the Segura huerta (vegetable garden) about 10 km (6 miles) from the nearest beaches in La Marina and Guardamar. It is readily accessible from the Autovia del Mediterráneo motorway and a new motorway from Elche, and is about 20 minutes away from the Alicante international airport. Dolores has an area of 18.25 km² (7 square miles) and the average monthly temperature varies between 16°C (61°F) in December-January and 28°C (82°F) in July-August.
The most important monument is the XVIIIth century church, with sculptures by Salcillo and Roque Lopez. The two most important fiestas in Dolores are the Feria de Agosto (August Fair) in early August; and the Fiesta de la Virgen, in mid-September. The Feria de Agosto is one of the more important fairs of Spain, and it features a Spanish Horse Contest. More than 1,500 horses are shown each year in all sorts of games and activities. Cattle and dog contests are also held at the fair. The Fiesta de la Virgen includes a carriage parade, the running of the "vaca toposa" (a variety of a small, aggressive co
w), and the procession to honor the Virgen de los Dolores (Virgin of Sorrows), the patron saint of the village.
The typical cuisine of Dolores takes advantage of the fresh vegetables available in the area (artichokes, beans), and also includes plenty of meat and seafood. The most typical dish is "cocido con pelotas", which includes meatballs and potato and chickpea stew. There are also many fresh fruits such as melons, watermelons, oranges, and apricots. An open-air market is held every Friday morning where the local produce is sold.
The town has two very nice plazas within the shopping area, with restaurants, bars and cafeterias.