The Coto de los Dolores was a large estate which began in the 19th century. It was situated to the east of Marbella. In the distant past there was once a giant impenetrable wild wood to the east of Marbella, where cork oaks and holm oaks dominated the landscape. This lush area of extraordinary beauty almost reached the seashore, where it intermingled with the dunes and the sand.
This wild wood must have been wonderful to experience because inside it, under the branches of the cork oaks, was rich and varied undergrowth where strawberry trees, dogwood and myrtle all grew together.
Nearer the coast this wood gave way to extensive dunes, with idyllic landscapes of sand, juniper bushes and sandy fields covered in flowers.
Today in Las Chapas, some remains of this wonderful woodland can still be seen on the inland hills, where cork oaks still dominate, and you can still see the ecologically rich dunes on the coast.
Location of the sign, placed by “Senda por la Biodiversidad Urbana de Marbella” directly behind our office: