Ronda Places of Interest

Geoffrey Donoghue of Always Marbella reports on the latest news & events. For more information please visit Always Marbella’s website at www.alwaysmarbella.com

Tourism Office
Paseo Blas Infante, s/n
29400 Ronda
Telf. 952 187 119
Fax 952 187 147
PAST AND PRESENT

The strategic position of Ronda, as well as its nearby fertile plains has made the town attractive to a succession of people over the years. Also Ronda is one of Andalucia's loveliest towns, steeped in history. It stands on a towering plateau in the mountains of Malaga Province, and is famous through Spain for the plunging river gorge which divides the medieval from the 18th century parts of the town. This gorge is known as El Tajo - The Cliff and is spanned by a stone bridge, which once housed a prison.

Palaeolithic man lived here, the Celtiberians called it "Arunda" and the Romans renamed it "Munda".
The Moors brought it prosperity, and in 1485, it was captured by the Catholic Monarchs in 1585 who ordered the construction of its principal church on the site of the mosque. Because of the cliffs, Ronda was one of the last Moorish cities to fall to the Crusaders.

Nowadays, the City Center is divided in three areas: The Ciudad (The Town) or the Old Arabic Medina, which is historically the most important one, San Francisco and Mercadillo.

PLACES OF INTEREST

-Bullring and Bullfighting Museum. The oldest in Spain. When there are no fights, the bullring is open to visitors, and has a fascinating museum.
- New Bridge, 18th century. It divides the old city from the newer city and its suburbs.
- La Casa del Rey was built in the 18th century and has a stairway of 365.
- The Palacio des Marqués de Salvatierra is a private 19th century house offering guided tours.
- The Palacio de Mondrágon is the remains of a palace built in 1314, notable for its Mudejar towers, while evidence of a 13th century mosque is retained in a "mihrab" (a prayer niche), an archway and a minaret at the Colegiata de Santa María la Mayor.
- Arabic Baths. These baths are amongst the best preserved in Andalusia.
- Ronda Gates: Puerta de Almocabàr (Almocabar Doorway). The main entrance to the Alcazaba (Fortress) and the town. Puerta de Carlos V (Charles V Doorway), built in the 16th century. Puerta o Arco de Felipe V (Phillip V Doorway or Arch), built in 1742 is the doorway to the old bridge and the Moorish Baths.
- Church of the Holy Spirit: This church was built on the orders of King Ferdinand the Catholic on the remains of a Moorish defensive tower.

WHAT TO DO

A walk leads to Ronda's lovely "Mirador", with colourful flower beds and a railing for sightseers to lean against as they gaze into the distance. You can walk from the Plaza de España and the bullring up the Calle Nueva, Ronda's pedestrian shopping district, where some of the shops still retain their traditional appearance and style.

Long time ago there were several potter families in Ronda, but now, only one family go on with the tradition. Although they keep manufacturing the same type and style of pots and plates, etc. Another famous handicraft in this town is its renowned wrought iron works and all the handicraft in connection with the horse (all type of harness, pure leather saddles, the typical woolen blankets. Furniture as well as carved woods are very appreciated in the area.

Ronda has wonderful trekking routes around Serrania de Ronda.

Ronda's Holy Week is steeped in tradition, a moment of great solemnity and reverence for its inhabitants and many visitors. If the carved wooden images of saints carried in procession through its streets may be less spectacular than those in other cities, many are true works of art.

Spring Party, second part of May. Virgen de la Cabeza Open-air festival (romería), the first Sunday of June.

Corridas are held between Easter and October, with special events in late August commemorating Pedro Romero Fair.

Goyesca bullfight, in which the matadors wear traditional bullfighting dress and only the best and most courageous bulls are used. 4th September.

TYPICAL DISHES

Morcilla rondeña, which is a type of black pudding seasoned with cloves, peppers and cumin. Tomato soup, garlic soup, bean or lent thick soup, although both legumes are also eaten scrambled with eggs as are asparagus and mushrooms. Typical desserts are almond mousse or sopa de almendras, and egg yolk paste "yemas del Tajo", small biscuits and honey cakes. Virgin olive oil, woodland honey, chestnuts in syrup and local wines.