“If you want to go to Spain for your honeymoon or eloping with your beloved, Ronda is the most suitable place. The whole city is full of romantic scenery. If you are not satisfied with the honeymoon or elopement, it’s better to go to Paris for separating and looking for another beloved.”
– Hemingway “Death in the afternoon”
Ronda is a very recognizable small town because it is built on a cliff. The whole city is filled with the legend of bullfighting and Hemingway’s words. Ronda isn’t noisy like the big city but the spirit of bullfighting. There is no secular style but a different kind of romance in Ronda. Please follow me to feel the uniqueness in Ronda!
1. Ronda New Bridge
The New Bridge is a veritable landmark of Ronda. So many tourists are attracted to the New Bridge by its reputation. The New Bridge was built in 1793 and starts at the Spanish Square and spans the Tajo Gorge. It is 98 meters high that is equal to 30 stories high. It’s the abyss below the bridge. The white houses are built on the edge of the cliff. Walk along the small road on the edge of the new bridge, you can see the deep valley under the bridge. The New Bridge is more magnificent with the golden afterglow at sunset, which embodies its exceptional splendor.
2. Ronda Bullring
When you mention Spain, you may first think of bullfighting. The development of bullfighting in Spain has made more than 400 bullrings all over the country. The Ronda Bullring is the oldest bullring in Spain that was built in 1785. There isn’t the traditional red brick at Ronda Royal Bullring while it’s with the Andalusian-style white facade. This is also the place where the bullfighters pilgrimage. The current bullfighting method in Spain was born in this bullring. The circular building built in 1785 accommodates 5,000 spectators. The famous bullfighters in the history of Spanish bullfighting such as Pedro Romero and Antonio Ordonez have struggled with the bulls here.
3. Ronda Ancient Bridge
The Ancient Bridge is a bridge connecting the old city and the new city. The original bridge has collapsed. The reconstructed old bridge is also 400 years old. Old Bridge silently adheres to its original position witnessing history, which seems that the Ancient Bridge has more sense of precipitation. The scenery around the old bridge is as beautiful as the scenery around the New Bridge. You can appreciate the Moorish style of the white town and the scenery of the pastoral mountains.
4. Tajo Boulevard Walking Trail
The Tajo Boulevard Walking Trail is located north of the Bullring where you can admire the lush scenery and spectacular views of the cliffs. This is the best location for taking a picture of the Ronda New Bridge. When you stroll on the Tajo Boulevard Walking Trail, you feel the time is still. The only thing that can be felt is the beating heart.
5. Moorish Palace
The Moorish Palace is a mansion built in the 18th century. It was built on the site of an Islamic palace. The House of Moore is divided into two parts, the Arab garden above the cliff and the mine that leads directly to the bottom of the cliff. The garden is small and it is a good place to see Ronda New Town. The garden is decorated with patterns and water features of Islamic culture. It is said that the mine is actually the site of the original Islamic palace. The entire tunnel from the cliff top to the bottom of the cliff is very steep. It was once used as a secret escape route and a strong military tower was built along the river. Part of the mine was used as a storage for weapons.
6. Gate of Philip V
The gate of Philip V was named after the Spanish King Philip V at the time. This door was once the only way to the town. The original door has been destroyed and what we are seeing now is the one rebuilt. The gate is located in front of the Moorish King’s House and below the cliff is the Ronda New Town. This stone arch is located here alone and people who come and go may have overlooked its existence. However it is like a living landmark that witness the ups and downs of the city.
7. Arab Baths
The Arab Baths are the most intact Arab baths in the entire Iberian Peninsula. The baths are located in the ancient Arab city of ancient times that was firstly known as the San Miguel area and that was considered as a suburb of the city during Muslim rule. The rulers built the baths next to the Culebras Creek in order to be able to store water more efficiently. The entire bath is divided into three main areas: a cold water hall, a warm water hall and a hot water hall. The entire bath is surrounded by an opaque stone wall with a pumping device at the end of the wall. The baths were used for leather processing during the reign of Christ and it remains the tanneries’ traces in the baths.
8. Mary Cathedral
The main church of St. Mary was built on the basis of the mosque. The towers and promenades date back to the Muslim rule. There are Arabic inscriptions on the entrance arches. The three halls of the church all reveal a typical Gothic style. Although it lost true color of the Gothic church to a certain extent because the earthquake in 1580 caused some damage to the main body of the church, we can still capture its former elegant demeanor by its stone pillars and arches. Another detail that must be mentioned in the Church of St. Mary is the double-layered singer area made of walnut and cedar wood during the Renaissance. The area is beautifully crafted and the ground floor is made up of 12 seats with a prayer of the Virgin Mary. There are 24 seats in the upper area engraving of a Sacred Heart, the apostles and saints.
9. Las Nieves Natural Park
The Las Nieves Natural Park is located in the southeast of Ronda Town. The highest peak of the western part of Andalusia is in the natural park. The natural park has a large expanse of vineyards and a wildlife sanctuary. It’s suitable to walk in the park. You can walk around the park like a local resident and take a leisurely stroll.
10. Husca
Located in the Ronda Mountains of Malaga Province in the Andalucía Region of southern Spain, Husca is a typical white Andalusian town. All the houses even including the town government building, churches and cemeteries are painted in blue in keeping with the film’s propaganda. The Smurfs live in a mushroom house and Husca is rich in producing more than 150 kinds of mushrooms. If you visit Husca now, you can find the plaque of “Husca, the world’s first Smurf town” on the town square. The huge “Smurf” greet all the guests at the entrance of the town.
