Province
and Villages - Malaga - Ronda - Monuments
Ronda Monuments Information
Monuments route
CHURCH OF SANTA MARÍA LA MAYOR
It was built on the original site of a Moslem Mosque dating
from the 12th century, and remains from the arch of the mihrab
are still in place.
Construction works began during the time of the Catholic Kings,
and were resumed after the earthquake of 1580. Pedro de Toledo
, Royal Chaplain at the time of King Fernando el Católico,
consecrated this church under the protection of the Virgin
of the Encarnación.
Its interior is a mixture styles, ranging from the Renaissance
workmanship of the choir’s masonry must be pointed out,
as well as the main altar piece called El Sagrario.
The tower is divided into three sections, each one belonging
to a different architectural style, with Moslem, pointed arches
and renaissance elements.
CITY HALL
Next to the church, within the Duquesa De Parcent Square,
the elegant building housing the City Hall is encountered,
which was used as an Army Garrison during the 18th century.
MONDRAGÓN PALACE
This aristocratic building is the best example of the civil
architecture in the city. It was erected in the year 1491,
and its layout is centered around three courtyards: the first
one of renaissance style; the second one falls is of a Late
Gothic Style and the third one shows a marked Moslem influence.
The gardens are accessed through a Moorish arch, of Andalucian
style.
Precisely here the abovementioned Catholic Kings dwelled when
the city was conquered and also during the first rebellion
of the Moslem converts. At present it harbours the Museum
of Ronda and its mountain range.
THE BULLRING
This is the oldest bullring of Spain and the birthplace of
bullfighting on foot. It was inaugurated during the May Festival
of 1785.
This superb bullring was built according to the plans of the
master builder of Puente Nuevo, the architect José
Martín de Aldehuela. Its ring has a diameter of 66m
and is surrounded by a double gallery of progressively smaller
arches resting on Tuscan Columns. Both the entrance and the
stone barrier surrounding the ring must be pointed out due
to their beauty and uniqueness, the latter being the only
one of its Kind in Spain.
During the second week of the month of September the Corrida
Rondeña de Rejones takes place, as well as the traditional
Corrida Goyesca which is organized in memory of Pedro Romero,
the founded of the rules applied to modern bullfighting.
Apart from the bullring, the Bullfighting Museum may be visited,
as it has on display and interesting collection of bullfighter
costumes after the style of Goya , and a permanent exhibition
of items belonging to the bullfighting dynasties of Ordoñez
and Romero.
THE CLEFT BOULEVARD
This Avenue dates from the XIX century and provides excellent
views to the scenary of the valley, which shelters the city.
From here we can head for the Vantage Point in the Blas Infante
Avenue which is also an excellent place to view the landscape
of Ronda.
HOUSE OF SAN JUAN BOSCO
This small palace of Modernist style was built by the Granadinos
Family at the beginning of this century, who later donated
it to the Congregation of Salesian Monks.Inside, the courtyard
is decorated with motifs belonging to the Nazari dynasty and
it also houses a fine collection of pottery from the region.
Hanging from the summit of the Cleft, we may find a pleasant
garden presided by a fountain decorated with glazed tiles.
NEW BRIDGE
It is the symbol of the City of Ronda and one of its two main
districts. After a first attempt to build a bridge spanning
over the deepest waters of the River Guadalevín, in
the XVI Century, a second one was built by José Martín
de Aldehuela. It comprises three main bodies in the shape
of a huge wedge. In the upper section a chamber may be seen
which was formerly used as a prison.
Next to it, one finds the former City Hall which has been
turned into a luxurious state owned hotel.
SAN SEBASTIAN MINARET
This is the only Moorish minaret remains in Ronda after it
was recaptured from muslin rule. It is the remains of a former
Muslim Mosque located in the Moorish quarter which was subsequently
transformed into a Church dedicated to Saint Sebastian.
It dates from the XIV century and its later modifications
are of Moorish influence. This middle section of the structure
is of face brick decorated with small windows crowned by Moorish
arches ; the lower section is of masonry and the upper one,
which may be traced to the time to the Christian Rule, is
surmounted by four small roofs.
ARCH OF KING PHIPLP V
Built in 1742, during the reign of this monarch. The arch
comprises two rows of masonry and a trapezoid upper section,
crowned by a pinnacled plinth, decorated with the crest of
arms belonging to the Borbón Royal Family and the conch
of the Anjou dynasty. The facing stone attached to the arch
is known as the Moorish throne.
PADRE JESUS CHURCH
This is one of the oldest churches of Ronda. Built at the
close of the 15th Century, under the gothic style, although
the belfry has a renaissance influence. It has a side chapel
richly ornated with baroque motifs. Next to it, one finds
the Fountain of Eight Spouts commissioned by King Philip V.
ANCIENT BRIDGE
This bridge of Moorish origin has only a single arch which
links two sections with a difference in height of 30 metres.
It has undergone several historic reconstructions, the last
one dating from 1961, when the balconies that are now currently
in view, were first opened.
MOORISH BATHS
These are the Moorish baths which have best survived within
the Iberian Peninsula. They were built at the close of the
XIII century and the beginning of the XIV century. The heating
system used dated from Roman times, and water is supplied
by means of a waterwheel and a small aqueduct.
The baths comprise three chambers, the central one is of special
interest as it is illuminated by numerous skylights shaped
like stars.
THE HOUSE OF THE GIANT
This is a house resembling a palace built at the end of the
XII century, and so called due to the stone relief carved
in one of its corners. Its Moorish origin can be traced to
its elaborate plasterwork with intricate and calligraphic
designs.
THE ABODE OF THE MOORISH KING
This palace was raised at the end of the XVIII century. Its
beautiful gardens abounding with fountains and waterways date
from 1923. Inside one may find the Miria Stairway, a Moorish
construction of the XVI century, with 365 steps carved into
the rock and which lead to the bottom of the Cleft. The Miria
was a structure witch supplied water to the city.
PALACE OF THE MARQUIS OF SALVATIERRA
This fine palace of baroque style was built at the end of
the XVIII century. There are some striking pre-Columbian motifs
surrounding the ironwork balcony of its façade.
Inside there is a great central courtyard whit a splendid
parapet around the well. After crossing several chambers of
the palace, abounding with remarkable pieces of furniture
and glazed tiles recounting historical episodes , one arrives
to the garden which offers an excellent view of the ramparts
belonging to the Lower Quarter of the City.
CHURCH OF VIRGEN DE LA PAZ
It houses the image of the Virgen de la Paz (Virgin of Peace),
the patron saint of Ronda, as well as a sculpture known as
El Cristo de la Sangre which dates from the XVIII Century,
which is a mayor work of art of its kind in the City of Ronda.
CHURCH OF ESPIRITU SANTO
This temple built in the XV century, and shows a Gothic- Renaissance
influence, was commissioned by the Catholic Kings after recapturing
the city. Its layout consist in a single nave covered with
a starred vault and transept. Seen from outside it resembles
a fortress as it was formerly a stronghold of the city’s
ramparts.
CHURCH OF CONVENT OF LA MERCED
This work dates from the XVI century and may be ascribed to
a Moorish influenced style. It is here that the uncorrupted
hand of Saint Teresa de Jesús is preserved.
SHRINE OF THE VIRGEN DE DOLORES
The chapel dates from 1734. The columns represent winged human
figures with a rope round their necks, so it was possibly
here where hangings took place.
ALBACARA RAMPARTS
It dates from Moslem times. The remains of two gateways to
the city may still be seen. The Gateway of the Wind and the
Gateway of the Christ, formerly known as the Windmills Gateway.
There are some extraordinary views to the New Bridge.
ALMOCABAR AND CARLOS V GATEWAYS
The Almocábar Gateway is the most important one within
the Moorish ramparts. It dates from the XIII century and was
reconditioned during the time of Carlos V. It is flanked by
two semicircular masonry towers. Two external arches of Moresque
influence may be seen as well as an intermediate pointed arch.
The Carlos V Gateway is next to the other one and was erected
during the XVI century in the Renaissance style.
SOULS INN
The façade was built in 1500. It is said that Cervantes
was lodged here during his stay in Ronda.
CONVENT OF SANTO DOMINGO
It dates from the end of the XV century and the beginning
of the XVI. Founded by the Catholic Kings. Its style is a
mixture of gothic, Moresque and renaissance elements. This
convent was the seat of the Inquisition Tribunal.
CONVENT OF SAN FRANCISCO
Founded by the Catholic Kings after the city was conquered
on 1485. Its style is gothic and Moresque. The side portico
is of late Renaissance style with rounded and segmented arches,
vegetable motifs and crests of arms belonging to the Franciscan
Order.
EXIJARA GATEWAY
This gateway of Moorish origin led to the former Moorish and
Jewish quarter.
XCURSIONS INTO RONDA’S MOUNTAIN RANGE
At the slope of the Líbar range the Pileta Cave may
be found; inside which one may find an extraordinary collection
of cave paintings from the Paleolithic and Neolithic era,
considered as the most important site of the kind in Andalusia.
Among the paintings, the “pregnant mare” and the
“fish” are worthy of note.
Some 20 km. north of the city, the archaeological site of
Acinipo may be visited, with remains from an ancient Roman
city. It is still possible to see the theatre and the public
baths.
Those fond of nature shall find some of the most extraordinary
scenaries within the region of Andalusia. Only 29 km. away
the national park of Grazalema Range is encountered, which
has been declared by the UNESCO a Biosphere Protected Area.
This splendid landscape, due to the limestone quality of the
soil and the amount of rainfall, shelters one of the most
unique arboreal species of the Iberian Peninsula, the Spanish
Fir Tree, an uncommon variety of the fir tree, which hails
back from the Tertiary era.
Some 20 km. south. one arrives to another protected natural
area of great interest due to its botanical interest and its
scenary, The National Park of Las Nieves Range. Here one encounters
the third deepest chasm of the world, known to the speologists
as the G.E.S.M.
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