RONDA

Ronda is a colorful ancient town who finds itself practically into the center of the area of the Pueblos Blancos, in the north- west zone of Malaga province in Andalusia, Spain. Situated on a high cliff over a gorge, that divides it in two distinguished parts: to the south the old Arabic village called “La Ciudad” and to the north the more “new” town called “El Mercadillo”. Three bridges cross the gorge, allowing the connection between the parts of the city, the more impressive of which is undoubtedly the Puente Nuevo built in 18th century.

The origins of Ronda can be traced in prehistoric age, in the caves of Pileta have been discovered rock paintings going back to the Palaeolithic, in the zone there are then the megalithic necropolis of the Dolmen of El Chopo and Encinas Borrachas. Numerous are the rests of the Roman age scattered for all the territory of Ronda, of particular interest are the rests of the city of Acinipo (Ronda la Veja) with its magnificent theatre. With the Middle Ages and the Arabic occupation, Ronda acquired great importance becoming the capital city of one of the five administrative zones of Al-Andalus, the Caliphate of Cordoba. After the dissolution of the Caliphate, the city became for a short time an independent kingdom, then it passed under the control of Granada until the Catholic conquest in 1485.  

Ronda main attractions: Between the more meaningful testimonies of the Arabic period we can mention: the palace of Mandragon, the Arabic baths (Baños Arabes), the palace of the king Moor (Casa del Rey Moro) and the town-walls that encircle part of the city. The catholic reconquista provoked a great change in the cultural organization and in the aspect of the city. In 16th century were constructed the Iglesia de Padre Jesús, the Iglesia de Santa María, the Convent de San Francisco, the Iglesia Convento de la Merced, the Iglesia del Espíritu Santo and the Palacio del Marqués de Salvatierra. But it will be the 18th century that affected the urbanistic aspect of the town giving to Ronda a unique valence in the context of Andalusia. In this century the monuments more significant will be constructed, as the New Bridge, the Arco de Felipe V, the Templete de la Virgen de los Dolores, the Consistorial House and the Plaza de Toros (1785).