Ronda, Andalusia, Spain
Ronda Attractions
Ronda Transport
Ronda is a beautiful city located in Andalusia, Spain. The town is most famoust for the deep gorge and tall arched bridge. The gorge splits Ronda in two, the Old city on one side & the new town on the other.
New Bridge Rondo (Puente Nuevo)
The new bridge at Rondo is the bridge that everybody comes to see. Although it is called new it is infact over 200 years old, being completed in 1793.
Ronda New Bridge with restaurant
on the right hand side
More information about the Ronda New Bridge on our Ronda Bridges page
Old Bridge Rondo (Puente Viejo)
Also known as the Arab bridge
Roman Bridge Rondo (Puente Roman)
The Roman bridge is the original
Ronda Roman Bridge
Photo by darobin
More information about the Ronda Roman Bridge, Old Bridge & new Bridge on our Ronda Bridges page
Alamedia Park
A nice park to the rear of the Bulll Ring and extending to the edge of Ronda's Gorge where there is a viewing platform jutting out into mid air with absolutly magnificent views.
Arab Baths
The Arab baths were located outside Ronda's defencive wall near to the only gate leading to the North.
This location near to the important northern route was always busy and also important allowed travellers to bath after a journey and before entering the city.
Water for the baths was raised from the river to an aquaduct leading to the baths by donkey power see the very interesting video.
Ronda City Walls
Almocabar Gate (Puerta de Almocábar)
Almocabar Gate Walls with the Holy Spirit Church behind
City Walls East side
The Main gate into Ronda from the south and coast
See our page about Ronda's City Walls and gates
Alminar de San Sebastian Minaret
Alminar de San Sebastian Minaret
Minarete Arab Door
Photo by Tourism of Ronda
An interesting looking tower. The remains of an Islamic Mosque dating to the 14th century.
Ronda Churches
Holy Spirit Church (Iglesia del Espiritu Santo)
Holy Spirit Church entrance
Holy Spirit Church behind the Ramparts
Holy Spirit Church
The church was built towards the later end of the 16th century and the early 16th century after the Ronda was captured from the Moors and built on top of a mosque with an octagonal tower destroyed by canon fire during the siege. The roof of ribber stellar vaults is from a later period.
The church is designed in a mix of Gothic & Renaissance artiechtute with a fortified appearance very popular in this troubled waring period.
Look out for:
- The dove in a niche over the entrance arch signifying The Holy Spirit.
- The stellar vaulting of the ceiling. Note how the ribbing gives a star shaped appearance and greatly enhances what would be a plain vaulted ceiling.
- The triumphal arch set on wide elevated pillars that opens onto the main chapel.
Father Jesus Church (Iglesia de Padre Jesús)
Padre Jesus Church Ronda
Photo by rosemarydukelow
Los Ocho Canos drink fountain. Photo by Tourism of Ronda
Built in the 16th century the church has 3 naves seperated by pillars supporting Norman styled arches.
The central nave displays a selection of Moorish Armour.
A small chapel has some facinating baroque decoration
Saint Mary's Church (Santa Maria de la Encarnation la Mayor)
Saint Marys Church Front
Saint Marys Church Tower
It is thought that a temple stood on the site in the Roman era. A Mosque was then built by the Arabs, being replaced by s chuch after the Arab s were defeated.
The building started in 1485 and carried on until the 17th century.
Because of it's long time in building there are 4 artitechtual style in the building:
- A small amount of the original mosque in the Mirhab arch
- Gothic styling in 3 of the naves, especially the columns and oval arches.
- Rensaissance styling is visible in the Choir area with its cedarwood and walnut tiered seating with carved backs.
- The baroque styles were added neat to the completion oh St Mary's.
The Mirhab arch
Saint Marys Church Mirhab Arch
This arch and part of the wall behind the Altar of the Tabernacle are the only remains of the original mosque. Note the geometric and calligraphic motifs.
Our Lady of Socorro
Bandolero Museum (Museo del Bandolro)
Bandolero Museum
Modern horesmen dressed as Bandoleros. Photo by Tourism of Ronda
A Museum about the local bandits that the region from Malaga to Cadiz was famous for. Ronda was a centrally placed within this region.
These bandits could easily hide out in the mountains of Andalucia out of the reach of the authorities.
The poor of Andalucía looked up to these Bandoleros as folk heoros s resisting the brutal tyronany of the ruling land owner class. This was similar to the poor Anglo Saxons respecting Robin Hood in his fight against the Norman Sheriff of Nottingham.
Highway robbery was there way of living, robbing wealthy travellers, the Royal Mail and even coaches carrying gold or silver.
Another source of income was earned by smuggling tobbacco and other goods the carried excise duties.
Guardia Civil
In order to combat the Bandoleros the government set up the Guardia Civil in the reign of Isabel II in 1844 who proved to be very good at wiping out most of the Bandoleros. Some of who continued there activities into the 20th century.
The Guardia Civil was a military styled police force similar to the French Gendarerie whose dress uniform includes the unusually shaped and famous 'tricornio hat. Now in every day use they wear cap, a beret or the characteristic "gorra teresiana" which has a slight resemblance to a baseball cap.
Bull Ring (Plaza de Torus)
The Entrance to Ronda's Bull Ring
Bull Statue Plaza de Toros de Ronda. Photo by Ronnie Macdonald
Ronda Plaza de Toros Museo. Photo by rosemarydukelow
Plaza de Toros de Ronda Gates. Photo by rosemarydukelow
Plaza de Toros Carriage. Photo by Tourism of Ronda
Plaza de Toros de Ronda. Photo by Merce
The Plaza de Toros Ronda. Photo by kevinpoh
A museum is located at the Bull ring.
Website (Spanish)
Caza Museum
Don Bosco House
Original built as a modernist palace for a wealthy family in the 20th century who later left it to the Salesian Priest Order as nursing home for old or ill priests.
The house is open to the public & you can view the magnificent walnut furniture, fabulous fireplaces and tapestries from the 19th century.
To the rear of the house are the very formalised coutyard and gardensdecorated with a regional ceramic tyles.
At the far side of the gardens is a ballustrated wall seperating it from the end of the precipist decending to Ronda 's gorge (Tajo) bottom.
This location ensures magestic views from both the gardens and house into the gorge, the open countryside and the far gorge walls topped with Ronda's New Town.
Tourist entering Don Bosco House Entrance
Ronda New Bridge from Casa Don Bosco gardens
Casa Don Bosco Fountain Ronda
Casa Don Bosco Tiles
Don Bosco House Garden
Casa Don Bosco Fireplace Ronda
Don Bosco House Table Chairs
Palacio Salvatierra Ronda
Palacio Salvatierra Ronda. Photo by variable1979
Felipe V Arch
Felipe V Arch Ronda. Photo by darobin
Ronda City Hall (Ayuntamiento)
City Hall Old Town Ronda
The Ronda Town Hall is located centrally in the Old Town and faces a nice square
The 3 story buiding war erected in 1734 asa barracks for the military. After the Peninsular War the barracks went into disrepair.
A major restoration took place in 1818 and it rverted to a barracks for a short while.
Further restoration took place in 1973
Peninsular War footnote
The Peninsular War was where Spain & France originally attacked Portugal in 1807. One year later France under Napoleon turned on Spain, who allied itself with Portugal & the United Kingdom. Napaleon was defeated in Spain in 1814 and finally defeated at Waterloo in 1815.
Mondragon Palace
Thought to be built in 1314 by an unknown Moorish ruler, possibly King Abb el Malik. After the defeat of the Moors, Mondragon Palace became the residence of King Fernando and Queen Isabella. Now Ronda's Museum
Palacio de Mondragon Ronda. Photo by GOC53
Tourists at Mondragon Palace
Arab Arch. Photo by GOC53
Casa del Ray Moro
Casa del Ray Moro & the hanging gardens,. Photo by GOC53
Casa del Ray Moro, it's amazing hanging gardens, & the Water Min, Ronda
A few of over 230 steps going down the mine located in the Hanging Garden grounds of the Casa del Ray Moro in the Old Town of Ronda. The mine was a secret route down through and inside the cliff to
the water source of the river running through the gorge. Photo by GOC53
The Mine was built by the Moors & Casa del Ray Moro was built in the 18th century
Ronda Bus Station
Ronda Bus Station Address Plaza Concepcion Garcia Redondo 2 29400
Ronda Train station
Trains to: Algeciras, Madrid, Seville, Granada and Málaga
Ronda Train Station: Avenida de Andalucia s/n, 29400 Ronda Station
Hours: 6:45h a 23:45h
Restaurants & Bars
There is a wide range of cafes, bars & Restaurants in both the Old & new towns of Ronda. Some of them are in prime locations with spectacular views of the gorge & surrounding countryside.
Ronda New Bridge Restaurants
San Miguel Restaurant
Located in the new town of Ronda immediatly next to the New bridge and perched on the very edge of the gorge, affording magnificent views of both the bridge, gorge and Convent of Santo Domingo on the opposite gorge crest.
Casa Santa Pola Restaurant
Casa Santa Pola Restaurant
A top quality restaurant
El Morabito Restaurant Ronda
El Morabito Restaurant Ronda
A bar in Calle Espintu Santo
Bar in Calle Espintu Santo
Ronda view points (Miradors)
Plaza de María Auxiliadora
Next to the far west corner of Ronda's old town with one of the highest drops into the gorge bottom. This drop is not a shear precipice and allows a footpath to snake down to the lower walls of the Albacara
Dramatic views of of the gorge opening out into the wide rich agricultural country side and the mountains in the distance.
The square is ringed with trees providing shade from the sun, a small fountain and has park benches to sit on.
Immediatly to the south of the square is the El Moabito restaurant
and across the road the El Campillar Bar
Murallas del Alcabar
Looking from the Plaza de María Auxiliadora down below on a ledge in the valley sides are the remains of the cities outer walls, the 'Murallas del Alcabar', and remains of the corn & olive mills.
There is a path that zig zags down to the walls and to places where there are fabulous views of the gorge & bridge.
Downloads
Tourist Map of Ronda in PDF format
Major Attractions Hours of Opening in PDF format
Official Information Tourist Office
Ronda Tourist Office
Compromiso Calidad, Paseo de Blas Infante s/n.
Tel: 952 18 71 19
Andalusia Tourist Office
Tourist Office of the Regional Government of Andalusia Plaza de España s/n. Tel.: 952 87 12 72 E mail: otronda@andalucia.org
Ronda Area Mountainous Region Tourist Office
Tourist Office of Touristic Iniciatives Center in the Serranía de Ronda C/ Espíritu Santo nº 37 Tel.: 952 87 07 39
