RondaAn insight into Ronda ....
Ronda is one of Andalucía's loveliest towns, dramatically situated on the edge of a gorge. It is steeped in
history and has many beautiful old buildings. The town is 739 metres above sea level in the mountains of Málaga
Province. It is perhaps most famous for the dramatic, plunging river gorge which divides the medieval part of
town from the 18th Century part. The bullring in the center of Ronda is one of the oldest in Spain.
The main road up to Ronda starts in San Pedro on the Mediterranean coast, which is close to Marbella.
The road takes a spectacular climb up into the mountains where you get excellent views back to the Mediterranean and over to the mountains of Africa. The road steadily climbs up through the mountains of Sierra Bermeja, before finally dropping down through the Serrania de Ronda to the town itself. Natural Parks There are three natural parks in close proximity of Ronda, each of them offering a wealth of beauty, and the opportunity for many outdoor activities. Both La Sierra de las Nieves and La Sierra de Grazalema have been declared Biosphere Reserves by UNESCO. These craggy, limestone mountain regions are full of deep ravines, spectacular gorges, and are extensively forested with rare Spanish fir. The area is home to one of the biggest populations of Spanish Ibex, and you will also find roe deer, wild cats, golden eagles, otters, vultures and many other beautiful birds. Los Alcornocales Natural Park is another very beautiful region and contains one of the most important and extensive cork oak forests in the world. History 
The town of Ronda itself, with a population of 35,000, is richly endowed with a heritage of magnificent buildings.
Although one of the oldest cities in Spain, with a history which dates back to the mists of time, it was only in
the Middle Ages that Ronda finally came into its own, achieving the status of an independent kingdom under Arabic
rule.
Its impenetrable position offered natural defenses, in the form of high cliffs on three of its sides. And where the cliffs ran out, massive defensive walls were erected. The cultural legacy of the Moors is to be seen throughout the city. Ronda's strategic and defensive importance is seen in its imposing city walls. The ancient Medina was located between the natural border made by the Tajo Gorge and, on the other side, by the city walls themselves. These walls - and their entrance gates - still stand proud today. The Buildings 
The Mondragon Palace which is situated in the old town was built in the 14th century, and is one of the
architectural prizes of Ronda with original stucco works and mosaics. The Palace was reformed during the time of
Ferdinand and Isabella and is where they stayed during their reign when visiting the town. There are three
beautiful patios overlooking the Serrania de Ronda. It currently houses a museum and is also a lively centre for
visiting students studying Spanish from all over the world.
The Giant's House is another classic, one of the best conserved buildings of all nazari architecture. St. Sebastian's Minaret was formerly the tower of one of the many mosques of Ronda, later used as the bell tower of the church of St. Sebastian. After the conquest of the city by the Catholic Monarchs in 1485, economic and cultural changes took place, streets were widened and squares opened. But the most impressive buildings and monuments, including the New Bridge and the Bullring, were constructed in the 18th century. The Bridge 
The New Bridge (Puente Nuevo) was finished in 1793, after more than 40 years of construction work. Almost 100
metres high, built with vast stones taken from the depth of the Tajo's gorge, it connects the modern quarter of
the city, with the old. There was another bridge built about 50 years earlier, but this one collapsed soon after
construction, causing the death of 50 people. More recently, the bridge made still more macabre history, as
communists were tossed over onto the rocks far below, during the Spanish Civil War.
The Bullring 
Claimed to be the oldest bullring in Spain, the Plaza de Toros is also one the most monumental, with great
character and beauty. For many rondeños, it is their spiritual home. It can rightly claim to be the ring where
the rules of bullfighting, as practiced today, were first laid down by Pedro Romero.
Ronda Today 
As well as being a lively and thriving center high in the mountains of Andalucia, the town of Ronda is a popular
destination for travelers and tourists of all nationalities. Ronda has plenty of facilities for those wanting to
spend time in this lovely town. The shops cater for various tastes and budgets, as well as there being plenty of
restaurants, street cafes and bars.
There are various walks that can be taken round Ronda which take in various scenes, landscapes and history. You could take a leisurely walk round the old town to discover the wealth of Medieval buildings, walk round the perimeter of the gorge taking in the dramatic views of the mountains beyond Ronda, or stroll through the various leafy parks in the town. The scale of Ronda makes it easy to see many sights in a short space of time, and you are never far away from refreshments when you need them. Ronda is a lovely town, set in a dramatic landscape, and definitely worth a visit.
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