Summary
Ronda is an enchanting town poised on the edge of an escarpment in the Málaga province.
Although you may not be familiar with its name, it is highly probable that you have seen an image of the Puente Nuevo, an 18th-century structure that spans the 120-meter-deep El Tajo Gorge, connecting the ancient citadel with the modern part of the town. This bridge is one of the most remarkable attractions in Spain.
Within the historic citadel, numerous captivating remnants from Ronda’s 700-year Moorish occupation can be explored. Additionally, Ronda has earned a reputation as the leading wine town of the Costa del Sol, featuring over 20 wineries in the surrounding countryside that welcome visitors.
Let us delve into the most notable attractions in Ronda:
1. Puente Nuevo
One of the most iconic representations, not only in Ronda but throughout Spain, is this 18th-century bridge which descends into the depths of the El Tajo Gorge, 120 meters below.
Construction commenced in 1759 to replace a previous bridge that had collapsed in the decade prior.
This was no trivial project: The bridge took an additional 42 years to complete and claimed the lives of approximately 50 workers.
Within the bridge, a small exhibition provides insights into its construction, housed in a chamber above the main arch.
This same space served as a prison for centuries.
2. La Ciudad
The most appropriate entryway into the oldest section of the city is through the fortified gate, Puerta de Almocábar.
This Moorish architectural element can be identified by its horseshoe-shaped arch.
Beyond this gate lies Ronda’s original Arabic citadel, revealing various intriguing aspects of the town’s historical narrative.
One notable feature is the Alminar de San Sebastián, a minaret from the 1200s that was repurposed as the belfry of a church following the Reconquista, but now stands alone.
3. Bullfighting Heritage
A brief stroll from the Puente Nuevo takes you to Ronda’s neoclassical Plaza de Toros, established in the late 18th century and recognized as one of the cradles of modern bullfighting.
This sport, while often controversial, remains an enduring element of Andalusian culture.
The arena was founded by the Royal Cavalry of Ronda, which continues to exist today, and beneath one of the tiers, a museum dedicated to this institution can be found.
In conjunction, there is also an exhibition detailing the history of bullfighting.
Located just outside the town is the Reservatauro Ronda, where bulls are raised in a picturesque landscape of meadows and holm oaks.
4. Iglesia de Santa María La Mayor
This significant church possesses a lengthy and complex history.
Like numerous churches in Spain, it was originally a mosque, and remnants of the mihrab, which indicated the direction of Mecca, can still be identified.
Construction commenced immediately after Ronda regained its Christian identity in the late 15th century, but remained incomplete until the 17th century, partly due to a devastating earthquake in 1580. Consequently, a mixture of Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque styles can be observed.
Do not miss the wooden choir seats, which feature Renaissance-era carvings of saints on their backs.
You may also encounter the pasos (floats adorned with wooden statues) that are part of Ronda’s Semana Santa processions.
5. Alameda del Tajo
As the town clings to a rocky precipice, green spaces are quite limited.
Thus, parks such as the Alameda del Tajo provide a scenic open space for relaxation.
This park is situated on the western bluffs of Ronda, featuring a large paved overlook known as the Mirador de Ronda, which offers breathtaking views back toward the town and across the valley toward the Sierra de Grazalema mountains.
Looking westward, the sunsets are as enchanting as any imaginable.
The gardens are adorned with rose-woven pergolas, an avenue lined with plane trees, and a splendid Himalayan cedar.
6. Wineries
Ronda is part of the Sierras de Málaga DO, and its high elevation provides a climate conducive to cultivating a diverse range of grape varieties, giving rise to award-winning Crianza, Tinto Joven, and Blanco Joven wines.
Although Ronda received official recognition as a wine region only in 2000, it continues to expand its prominence.
The official wine route of Ronda includes 21 wineries, making it an excellent destination for wine enthusiasts and viticulture learners alike.
Some establishments, such as Chinchilla, offer half-day courses, allowing for a deep understanding of the winemaking process and its nuanced flavors.
In addition to enjoying exquisite wines paired with tapas, one can appreciate the magnificent vistas in this region, where most vineyards flourish at elevations exceeding 750 meters.
7. Arab Baths
This site, located just east of Ronda, represents an intriguing fragment of the town’s Moorish heritage and remains remarkably preserved, with all but one of its roofs intact.
This preservation is partly attributed to the baths being repurposed, in this instance as a tannery that utilized the boiler room.
The baths maintain their cold, warm, and hot rooms, all adorned with barrel-vaulted ceilings featuring star-shaped openings.
The intricate heating system and the method of drawing water from the Las Culebreas stream to the complex can also be observed.
These baths were situated in the poorer part of town and held a religious significance, as they were adjacent to a mosque, allowing worshippers to perform their purifications here.
8. Palacio de Mondragón
Magnificently situated on a cliff, this palace and garden complex of Moorish origin dates back to 1314. It served as the residence for Ronda’s last Moorish ruler, Hamet el-Zegri, and hosted the Catholic Monarchs, Isabella and Ferdinand II.
Centuries of renovations have obscured many of the medieval features, yet the gardens, characterized by low hedges, palms, and fountains, evoke a smaller version of Granada’s Generalife.
Inside the palace, the coffered ceilings and original geometric tiling stand out prominently, and the municipal museum showcases the fascinating history of both this building and the surrounding town.
9. Iglesia del Espíritu Santo
Dominating the Puerta de Almocábar is the first church constructed after Ronda was reclaimed.
Construction commenced in 1485, coinciding with the Catholic Monarchs’ acquisition of the town, and the church was finished 20 years later.
In these formative years, Ronda prepared for potential conflicts, explaining the defensive design of the church, which is integrated into the town’s fortifications.
Unlike many large churches, this structure exhibits a uniformity in design attributable to its rapid construction.
This Gothic church features minimal ornamentation yet is replete with intriguing historical narratives.
10. Museo Lara
Named after its founder, Juan Antonio Lara Jurado, this museum showcases an eclectic collection that has clearly been curated with considerable time and resources.
Museo Lara is situated in the historic center, within the 18th-century Casa Palacio de los Condes de las Conquistas.
The exhibitions concerning the Holy Inquisition and witchcraft tend to intrigue visitors the most.
As you might expect, various grim-looking torture devices are displayed, while a nearby room reveals peculiar artifacts associated with black magic.
In contrast, the upper level features a diverse assortment of vintage items, including typewriters, sewing machines, and cameras that were utilized in early 20th-century silent films.
11. La Casa del Rey Moro
The name of this attraction, “The House of the Moorish King,” may be somewhat misleading since it was constructed in the 18th century.
The lavish gardens are even more recent, having been laid out in the neo-Mudéjar style in 1912. However, what remains original to the site is the stairway of 300 steps descending from the gardens to the gorge’s base.
This staircase was built in the 1300s to provide clandestine access to the Guadalevín River during sieges.
As it was originally intended, this descent remains both thrilling and rewarding.
Be sure to visit the Sala de Secretos, or “Chamber of Secrets,” named so because two individuals whispering at either end of this space can hear each other perfectly.
12. Acinipo
Located 20 kilometers northwest of Ronda is the ancient city of Acinipo.
Covering an area of 32 hectares, this site once housed approximately 5,000 inhabitants at its peak in the 1st century.
Acinipo was granted the imperial privilege to mint its own coins and remained inhabited until the 5th century, when it was raided by the Visigoths.
The prime feature of the site is the theatre, which is terraced to align with the hillside’s slope.
A significant amount of the scaenae frons (stage backdrop) endures, alongside remnants of the actors’ changing area.
At the foot of the hill lie the ruins of Acinipo’s baths, where distinct rooms such as the caldarium (hot room) and tepidarium (warm room) are discernible.
13. Cueva de la Pileta
To the south, within the eastern reaches of the Sierra de Grazalema, lies a remarkable set of caves featuring prehistoric wall paintings.
One of the notable aspects of Cueva de la Pileta is its charming, family-operated management, despite the historical significance of its contents.
You will be guided by descendants of the individual who discovered it in 1905, José Bullon Lobato.
The geology of this cave system is particularly striking, but the Palaeolithic paintings and carvings, some dating back as far as 20,000 years, are breathtaking.
These depict horses, bison, bulls, goats, deer, and fish, alongside charred marks from ancient campfires.
14. Sierra de las Nieves
You will undoubtedly wish to explore the picturesque landscapes visible from Ronda’s cliffs.
The town’s tourist office can provide information on a variety of linear and circular hikes in the local countryside.
The surroundings of Ronda showcase a quilt of cereal fields, olive groves, and vineyards, interspersed with clusters of hardwood trees, such as chestnuts and oaks.
If you seek an adventurous experience, you are mere minutes away from two remote and protected mountain ranges: the Sierra de Grazalema to the west and the Sierra de las Nieves to the east.
15. Costa del Sol
Being in close proximity to the Mediterranean allows for spontaneous trips to the beach.
The nearest resort is the affluent Puerto Banús, part of Marbella.
Descending from the rugged mountains and picturesque vineyards of the Serranía de Ronda, this lavish escape may be a surprising contrast! The coastline features numerous Blue Flag beaches, such as El Saladillo, a nearly three-kilometer stretch of pristine shale, meticulously maintained free of litter.
