One area that keeps making news headlines at the moment is Ronda and it’s surrounding villages - Serrania de Ronda. Michelle Obama has stressed visiting Ronda was one of the highlights of her recent trip to Spain – mentioning that she’ll be coming back and ‘not alone.’ David Cameroon is regular visitor to the area. With his wife eight months pregnant, he has been unable to return this summer – despite initial reports to the contrary.
Anyone who has been lucky enough to visit Ronda will understand its appeal. Ronda is one of the most beautiful and visited cities in Spain (the third most visited city in Andalucia). Despite the recent flurry of media activity, Ernest Hemmingway and Orson Welles, who both lived in Ronda at various times, probably gave Ronda its first taste of international recognition. Indeed, Hemmingway declared that Ronda was the most romantic town in Spain.
About Ronda
Ronda sits at the heart of the Serrania de Ronda, about 100kms from the city of Malaga and with a population of approximately 35,000 inhabitants. Surrounded by lush river valleys and sitting above a deep ravine, it is a place that literally takes your breath away when seeing it.
Ronda (Acinipo) was first declared a city by Julius Caesar in the late 4C AD. When the Moorish troops under the command of Tarik-ibn-Zeyad invaded the region in 8C, one of the first routes they followed was the old Roman one, linking Gibraltar with the Roman settlement of Acinipo.
They renamed the town to Izna-Rand-Onda - Ronda. The ruins of Acinipo actually sit 20Km outside of modern-day Ronda.
Puente Nuevo
Offering unforgettable views over the El Tajo gorge. The Puente Nuevo – new bridge – was actually completed in 1793. Taking forty two years to build. The bridge joins the old Moorish town and the newer, El Mercadillo parts of the city. It is, by far in a way, Ronda’s most famous landmark. One of Spain’s most famous Parador hotels sits adjacent to the bridge and is a well worth a visit.
Palacio de Mondragon
The Mondragon palace is home to the municipal museum and some truly outstanding gardens. Built originally in 1314 by the Moorish King Abomelik, it was later used a the primary residence for Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand. The museum is devoted to Ronda’s rich history with examples of Roman and Moorish tombs. The gardens are exceptionally beautiful and offer a real island of tranquillity.
The bullring
Ronda is said to be the home of modern day bullfighting. The Real Maestranza bullring is one of the oldest and most picturesque in Spain, built in 1785 by the architect Jose Martin Aldehuela. It can hold up to 5000 spectators.
Francisco Romero, born in Ronda in 1695, is accredited with giving bullfighting its modern day rules with the introduction of the cape and the muleta. His grandson, Pedro Romero (1754-1839) became one of Spain’s greatest bullfighters. Founding the Ronda School for Bullfighting, it is still known today for its classicism and strict adherence to the rules.
The house of the ‘Rey Moro – Moorish King’
Legend has it that this was the residence of the Moorish King, Almonated, who is said to have drank wine from the skulls of his enemies. Today’s building was completed in the 18th century and completely remodeled in 1920 by the Duchess of Parcent.
The gardens were designed by the same French architect who designed the Maria Luisa Park in Seville, Jean Claude Forestier.
The old bridge
The Arabs constructed this during the reign of King Abomelik. In 1616, a flood destroyed it and then it was rebuilt completely in 1961. The bridge has one arch and is 30 meters long and 5 meters wide.
Church of Santa Maria de la Encarnacion
Originally built as a mosque in the 13th century, it was converted into a Catholic Church in the 17th century. The Church of Santa Maria is renowned for its Baroque alter piece. The alter piece wasn’t finished until the 18th century. The interior is divided into two sections, one side is Gothic, the other is Renaissance.
Palace of the Marquis de Salvatierra
The Baroque facade, dating from 1798 is the most impressive feature. The small mansion is a typical example of noble 18th century architecture.
Museo Lara
The owner of the museum, Juan Antonio Lara, who is still alive and living just above the museum, has built up a fantastic collection of exhibits. Including 18C enamel clocks, watches, fans, old telephones and even a seven-barrelled pistol.
Moorish Baths
Some of the best preserved in Spain. Built at the end of the 13th century in the Arrabal Viejo. The large cauldron used to heat the water is still visible and in good condition.
Museo del Bandolero
A musuem devoted to bandits and outlaws. Includes videos about the lives of such Andalusian legends as Diego Corrientes and Jose Maria el Tempranillo (in Spanish only).
Acinipo Ruins
Twenty kilometres outside of Ronda sit the ruins of the old Roman settlement of Acinipo. A large theatre dating from 1C AD and several houses are clearly distinguishable.
Wow! Thank you thsi brings back so many memories! I lived in Seville in the mid/late
’60′s – my dad was in the US Air Force. I love Spain and hope to return
as an adult and revisit all the places we travelled to back then!
I love your blog and follow all yor tweets!! Your one of my favs!
Hi Carol. Thank you so much for your comments…..Much appreciated
Hi. Enjoyed your description of Ronda. I have just returned from there where I filkmed a non commercial video. All my videos contain a commentery which highlights everything fact interesting to the viewer, warts and all. I wonder if you can help me. I constantly hear about prisoners being thrown into the gorge, and I would like to know if this is true and if so when this happened. I have heard that in modern times, fascists where flung into the gorge. Thanks Roy.
Hi Roy,
Thank you for your comments. Your videos sound really interesting as well. Unfortunately the rumours you were hearing have some basis in fact. According to various historical records, around 500 fascist prisoners were thrown to their deaths in 1936. As with so much that happened during the Spanish Civil War, a lot of information has been buried and it is hard to distinguish fact from fiction. Parts of Hemingway’s “For whom the bell tolls” is said to have been based around the happenings.
Things have changed a great deal since those times and, as I am sure you saw for yourself – Ronda is spectacular and very welcoming city.
Best Regards,
John
Hi John. Thanks for your swift reply. I will use the info whilst showing shots of the gorge from different angles. Eventualy my video will be on YouTube under the name of RoyfromDurham. Most of my current videos are of Spain including Gardalest, Mijas and the Alhambra. Thanks again Roy
I just returned from Spain. Ronda was the highlight. I was enchanted by the beauty. We stayed at the Parador on the gorge.
What a sight to behold.