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Andalucía and Costa del Sol : Ronda

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Ronda

★ ★ ★ ★ ½
4.5 /5  (3 votes)
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  • This is the most famous of the pueblos blancos (white towns) – a scattering of evocative hamlets that reveal their Moorish roots between Málaga, Algeciras and Seville. Ronda is in the southwest corner of this zone and the only town in the wildly mountainous region of the Serranía de Ronda. Located just half an hour’s drive from the Costa del Sol, Ronda hosts up to 75,000 tourists per day, yet has managed to retain its timelessness and charm, despite the inevitable modernization of recent decades. Its natural setting is so spectacular that the views alone make it a must-see experience.

    The best views of the town and its stunning setting are from the road from Algeciras or the one from San Pedro de Alcántara. In early September, Las Corridas Goyescas are held in Ronda, in which matadors fight in costumes based on Goya’s etchings.
Top 10 Sights
  • El Tajo & Puente Nuevo 1. El Tajo & Puente Nuevo
    1. El Tajo & Puente Nuevo

    Ronda perches upon a sheer outcrop that is split by a precipitous cleft, El Tajo, 100 m (330 ft) deep . The spectacular 18th-century Puente Nuevo bridge links the old city, La Ciudad, with the commercial district.

  • 2. Casa del Rey Moro

    A visit to the gardens of this 18th-century mansion , built on the foundations of a Moorish palace, will provide wonderful views.

  • 3. Palacio del Marqués de Salvatierra

    Another 18th-century mansion sports an ornate façade with a carved stone portal. The upper section is adorned with four squat figures that may represent South American Indians.

  • 4. Puente Viejo & Puente de San Miguel

    The Puente Viejo (Old Bridge) dates from 1616 and is thought to be a rebuilding of a Roman span, though some say its pedigree is Moorish, like the Puente de San Miguel. Both cross the gorge at the upstream end of the Río Guadalevín.

  • 5. Baños Árabes

    These wonderfully preserved Moorish baths date from the 1200s or early 1300s. The multiple barrel vaulting pierced with star-shaped lunettes is typical of such structures, but the beautifully designed octagonal brick columns supporting horseshoe arches are highly original.

  • Minarete de San Sebastián 6. Minarete de San Sebastián
    6. Minarete de San Sebastián

    This graceful 14th-century tower is all that remains of a Nasrid mosque.

  • 7. Museo del Bandolero

    For some 1,000 years, the Sierras were the haunt of bands of rebels and outlaws. The museum chronicles the history of such notorious brigands.

  • 8. Iglesia de Santa María la Mayor

    Much of this church incorporates a 13th-century mosque, notably the base of the Mudéjar belfry .

  • 9. Palacio de Mondragón

    One of Ronda’s most beautiful palaces dates from 1314. Some of the original poly-chrome mosaic work and a magnificent Mudéjar ceiling can still be seen, but the rest was altered by the Christian overlords. Part of the palace is now the city’s archaeological museum.

  • 10. Plaza de Toros

    Inaugurated in 1785, Ronda’s bullring was constructed in limestone in an elegant double-tiered sweep; it is the widest in the world and one of the oldest in Spain. Since Ronda is the birthplace of the sport, this is the spiritual home of the tradition. It also houses a museum about the bullfight.

Practical Information
Casa del Rey Moro: C/Santo Domingo 9; 952 18 72 00; Open (gardens only) 10am– 8pm daily (until 7pm Nov–Feb); Adm €4.00 Palacio del Marqués de Salvatierra: C/Marqués de Salvatierra; Closed to the public Baños Árabes: Barrio de Padre Jesús 656 95 09 37; Open 10am–6pm Mon–Fri, 10am–3pm Sat & Sun; Adm €2.00 Museo del Bandolero: C/Armiñán 65; 952 87 77 85; Open 10:30am–1pm daily; Adm €3.00 Iglesia de Santa María la Mayor: Plaza Duquesa de Parcent; 952 87 22 46; Open 10am–8pm daily (until 6pm Nov– Mar); Adm €2.00 Palacio de Mondragón: Plaza de Mondragón; 952 87 84 50; Mon–Fri, 10am–3pm Sat & Sun; Adm €2.00
starlottie
starlottie
★ ★ ★ ★ ½

Having been here i can now fully understand the phrase - Breath taking views. Stunning and a peaceful place!!!

about a year ago

[No picture supplied]
Terri Brass
★ ★ ★ ★ ½

The overlook into the valley from the gardens is spectacular. This is such a lovely city and wonderful place to visit. The views on the drive up are fantastic.

about a year ago

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