Ronda

Since prehistoric times, there are evidences of men living in caves in and near Ronda and the Arab Baths are a fine example of the flourishing Muslim culture that established in the town until the Christian conquest. However, the most important feature in Ronda is the adaptation of its inhabitants to the amazing nature of the site.

The historical town of Ronda lies on a plateau surrounded by the Serranía de Ronda, which are the southern foothills of the Andalusian range of mountains. A charming mountain road with dramatic views links Ronda with the city of Marbella, only 60 km away and Málaga, 116 km distant.

The spectacular 100 metres-deep gorge that divides the town in two parts is spanned by the Puente Nuevo (New Bridge). The bridge, which was completed in 1751 after 42 to years of work, is itself one of the most depicted images of Andalusia. To the East, the Moorish side of Ronda is full of monuments and buildings of great architectural and cultural value, including the House of the Moorish King, the Mondragón Palace and the Don Bosco House. To the West, the San Francisco quarter was the expanding area of the town after the bridge was built, today with plenty of bars offering delicious samples of the traditional tapas.

Ronda is also famous for being the birthplace of modern bullfighting, boasting to have the oldest bullring in the world. This emblematic bullring houses the spectacular bullfight of the Goyesca Fair in September when the whole town recalls the 18th Century days when Ronda was the lead of bullfighting in Spain.

Kings, artists, bandits or bullfighters have impregnated with their legends the rich history of the beautiful Ronda, being the main inspiration for authors of the Romanticism. Today, the town of Ronda has become the third most visited place in Andalusia, after Seville and Granada.

Built in 1785, the Plaza de Toros found in Ronda is one of the oldest operational bullrings in Spain. The arena has a diameter of 66 metres, surrounded by a passage formed by two rings of stone. There are two layers of seating, each with five raised rows and 136 pillars that make up 68 arches. The Royal Box has a sloping roof covered in Arabic tiles.

Soon after the ring's creation in the 18th century, the Romero family of Ronda emerged to provide over three generations of exceptional bullfighters. The most important of them was Pedro Romero (1754-1839), a key figure in the history of bullfighting who slew more than 5,600 bulls. The Ordóñez dynasty also were known for their great bullfights in the Plaza.

Because of its rural location and the small size of the surrounding town of Ronda, this famous ring does not host as many bullfights as other, larger venues like Seville. The bullring in Ronda is open to the public, with a small admission charge. The bullring also houses an interesting museum dedicated to the sport.

In 1994 the bull fight arena in Ronda was the venue for the shooting of a music video, "Take A Bow", by US singer Madonna. Originally, the artist's camp planned to invite fans to take part as extras, but at therwise. Madonna's co-star in the video was Spanish buthe last moment the singer and her entourage decided ollfighter Emilio Muñoz, playing her Latin lover who leaves her after spending a passionate night with the heartbroken blonde.

The still-functioning Baños Arabes, in a ravine below the Palacio del Marqués de Salvatierra (tel. 95-287-38-89), are reached from the turnoff to Puente San Miguel. Dating from the 13th century, the baths have glass roof-windows and hump-shaped cupolas. Still well preserved, they are the finest example of Moorish baths in Spain. The star-shaped vents in the roof were modeled after the ceiling of the more famous bathhouse at the Alhambra in Granada.

Note the beautiful octagonal brick columns supporting horseshoe arches. A channel from the nearby river carried water into the complex which once was surrounded by landscaped Moorish gardens. Admission is free, and the baths are open Wednesday to Saturday 9:30am to 3pm, Tuesday 10am to 1:30pm and 4 to 6pm, and Sunday 10am to 2pm.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Was once the 14th-century private home of the Moorish king, Abomelic. But after the Reconquista, it was renovated to receive King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella who stayed here. Inside you can see a trio of courtyards and a collection of Moorish mosaics.

There is also a beautiful carved wooden ceiling. A small museum houses artifacts devoted to regional archaeology. Better than the museum is the restored mudéjar courtyard where you can take in a panoramic view of El Tajo with the Serranía de Ronda looming in the background.Flanked by two mudéjar towers, the building now has a baroque facade. It's open Monday through Friday from 10am to 7pm, Saturday and Sunday 10am to 3pm