Located in the Serranía de Ronda mountains on either of a plunging 100-meter-deep ravine is the dramatically cliff-top town of Ronda. The town is divided into two sections, which stand on either side of the spectacular Tajo ravine and Guadalevín River. Three historic bridges span the ravine and connect old pre-Reconquest Ronda with new post-Reconquest Ronda.
With its twisting streets and whitewashed houses, the picturesque old Islamic town, referred to as simply "La Ciudad" (The City), is easily the most appealing. Its quaint charm is undoubtedly thanks to the unmistakeably Arabic character, as the Ronda's old town impeccably conserves the typical medieval Islamic look and feel. As an Enforex student, you can sign up at the school and come along on our guided trip to Ronda, where we'll amble through the winding, hilly labyrinth of ancient streets and discover all that Ronda has to offer!
Trip to Ronda - Attractions
- Constructed from the late 15th to late 17th centuries on the site of Islamic Ronda's main mosque, the Iglesia de Santa María la Mayor (Santa María la Mayor Church) boasts Moorish, Gothic and Renaissance influences and elements.
- While the 18th-century Casa del Rey Moro (House of the Moorish King) isn't open to visitors, you can go into its cliff-top gardens and enjoy the incredible views.
- Built in 1784, Ronda's Plaza de Toros is Spain's oldest bullring still in use.
- If you're daring enough, look for La Mina, an Islamic-era stairway cut right into the rock that leads to the bottom of the ravine.
- To cross back and forth between new and old Ronda, you can use any of three bridges spanning El Tajo, Ronda's famous gorge: the 18th-century Puente Nuevo, the 16th-century Puente Viejo and the Islamic-era Puente de San Miguel.
- The Palacio de Mondragón (Mondragón Palace) was built in 1314 as the residence of Abomelic, Ronda's Islamic ruler at the time. One of its three courtyards, the Patio Mudejar, maintains its original Islamic character. Don't forget to pass through the horseshoe-shaped arch and visit the cliff-top garden for some of the city's most magnificent views.
- Back in the 19th century, the tricky terrain of central Andalucía - especially around Ronda - was famous the bandits and smugglers who hid out there. The unique Museo del Bandolero (Museum of the Bandit) is dedicated to that very subject.
- Ronda is home to some of Spain's most interesting and best preserved Baños árabes (Arab baths), which date back to the 13th and 14th centuries.
- Many original city walls and gates remain standing in Ronda today. The old town is still entered through two centuries-old gates, the 13th-century Puerta de Almocabar and the 16th-century Puerta de Carlos V. Also fit in a look at the Cijara walls and gate, which protected the Islamic outside quarters and Arab baths, and the Albacara walls, which protected the city's productive mills and castle.