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Ronda 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 of styles, ranging from the Renaissance workmanship of the choir’s masonry which 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 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 above mentioned 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 in 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.