Ava Gardner Statue in Tossa de Mar

Photo credit - pegasos2008 @ Flickr

In April and May of 1950, the rising movie star Ava Gardner (1922-1990) and the crew of Pandora and the Flying Dutchman filmed on Tossa de Mar, a tiny fishing village on the Costa Brava.

Gardner fell in love with Spain, and the locals adored her and showed her their love. The gossip was that while Gardner was engaged to Frank Sinatra, she was having an affair with Mario Cabré, a Catalan actor, poet, and bullfighter. Sinatra heard the rumors and flew from the US to the village to check the rumors, carrying an emerald necklace and a large quantity of Coca-Cola. At the end of the shooting, Gardner returned to the US and married Sinatra.

Eight years after Gardner passed away, the sculptor Ció Abellí unveiled a true-to-size bronze statue of her dressed as Pandora. It stands on the Vila Vella, the best viewpoint in town. It immediately became a popular tourist attraction, where people arrive to take a picture while hugging her and enjoy the view.

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Passeig del Mar, 12, 17320 Tossa de Mar, Girona, Spain

 

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