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Nestled in the
hillside just
60km from
Marbella
and 116km from
Malaga
within
Andalucia
is the
wonderful town
of Ronda. The
town which is
steeped in
history is
dominated by
the fact that
the town is
split in two
sections by a
100m deep
gorge. This
spectacular
gorge is
bridged by the
New Bridge
(Puente Nuevo) see
picture below,
built in 1751
and taking 42
years to
build. This
magnificent
structure is
one of the
most
photographed
in Spain. On
one side of
the bridge is
the old
Moorish town
with many
historic
buildings
including the
House of
the Moorish
King,
worth a visit.
On the other
side is El
Mercadillo, a
more recent
urban
development.
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There is
evidence of
prehistoric
man living
near Ronda and
the town has
been
influenced by
every
generation
since. To the
east of the
town are the
well preserved
Arab Baths
which were
accidentally
discovered
when the house
above them
collapsed. The
town is one of
the most
visited places
in Andalucia
and attracts
thousands of
visitors each
week.
One of the
best ways to
visit Ronda is
by an
organised
excursion. We
reviewed a
coach trip
from
Fuengirola.
See our report
here. |
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Most of the
important
sights in
Ronda can be
seen in a few
hours as most
are located
around the new
bridge area
and within the
old part of
the town. The
route we
walked took in
most of them
and turned out
to be close to
that suggested
by the tourist
office. We
very quickly
learned that
driving
through
Ronda's
backstreets is
a bad idea.
Drive through
the centre,
past the
bullring and
park in one of
the two
underground
car parks.
Start your
walk at the
Alameda
Gardens and
the Convent of
la Merced.
From here walk
down Calle
Virgen de la
Paz towards
the bridge.
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Ronda also
offers a
sprinkling of
museums and
galleries.
Other places
of interest
include, the
Gates of El
Amocabar and
Carlos V,
see picture
right, the
Town Hall and
several
churches.
There are
excellent
shopping
facilities and
a wide range
of bars and
restaurants.
There are also
many good
quality hotels
and a splendid
parador
overlooking
the gorge.
Parking in the
town is quite
easy, either
on-street or
underground.
Ronda is well
known for its
pottery,
leatherwork
and
wrought-iron
products. The
town is
accessed by a
reasonably
good mountain
road from San
Pedro and
Marbella and a
smaller road
from Gaucin
and Manilva.
Both routes
very scenic
but
frightening at
times. Ronda
is best
avoided in the
rain. It can
be hot on the
coast but
quite cool
here so be
prepared and
bring a jacket
with you.
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The famous
bullring
is located on
your right. It
is one of the
oldest in
Spain, built
in 1785 and
now houses a
museum, a
shrine to the
sport. It is
possible to
hop on a horse
carriage here
that tours the
town. Next to
the bullring
you will find
a very helpful
tourist office
and public
toilets, quite
a rarity in
Spain but they
were in a
disgusting
state when we
visited them.
Before you
head for the
bridge take in
the gardens
behind the
bullring,
along Paseo
Blas Infante.
From here are
the best
panoramic
views over the
mountains. You
then come out
at the side of
the Parador.
In front of
the Parador is
Plaza de
Espana with
its statue and
orange trees. |
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Cross the
bridge, taking
in the
spectacular
views of the
gorge. You are
then in the
old part of
the town. Turn
right into
Tenorio, at
the bottom of
which is Plaza
Maria
Auxliadora
where you will
find the
Palacio
Mondragon,
a nobleman's
house,
formerly the
home of King
Abomelik. It
is possible to
see inside.
Follow the
road round to
one of the
most beautiful
spots in
Ronda, Plaza
Duquesa de
Parcent. Here
is a good
place to rest
in the shade
and take in
the city hall
in all its
splendour and
three
churches. The
best of which
has to be the
Church of our
Lady of the
Incarnation
with its tall
bell tower.
This square is
of Arab origin
and was the
main square.
It housed the
Mosque,
market, jail
and castle.
The town hall
was built in
1734 on the
top of the old
shops. It was
restored in
1818 after the
damage caused
by the French. |
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Across the
plaza is the
Convent of
St.Isabel of
the Angels
which has a
wonderful
altar and is
easily
accessed. It
was built in
1540 on the
site of the
former jail.
From here head
up Calle
Arminan where
you will find
some of the
quaintest of
shops selling
local crafts
and antiques.
On this street
are the
Hunting
Museum, the
Lara Museum
that has
regular
exhibitions of
different
themes and the
Bandit Museum.
At the end of
the street you
find yourself
back at the
bridge and
next to the
House of
the Moorish
Kings
and the
Convent of
Santo Domingo.
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The House of
the Moorish
Kings dates
from the 18th
century and
has wonderful
gardens that
must be
viewed. From
the gardens is
access to the
underground
mines built by
Abomelik in
the 14th
century. It
used to have
365 steps but
now only has
200. Inside
are several
rooms used as
dungeons and
store rooms.
A good place
to finish your
tour is the
Plaza El
Socorro which
is surrounded
by good shops,
fine
restaurants
and is a warm
sun trap. Here
you will also
find the
Church of
Socorro.
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Fiestas
One of Ronda's
most famous
fiestas takes
place in
September. its
Patron Saint
celebrations
include galas
and bullfights
involving the
best fighters
of the time. |
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Above is the
inside of the
bullring, one
of the best
and oldest in
Spain.
Pictured right
is the
Parador. A
wonderful
place to stay
in Ronda.
Follow the
path around
the building
for the best
views of the
gorge and the
countryside.
We have
visited Ronda
many times and
we took a
coach trip to
Ronda to
see what the
local tour
operators had
to offer |
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