After Ubrique we arrived in the stunningly situated city of Ronda, which offered one of the most dramatic views of our Andalusian trip. We took a long walk between the historic walls of the old town and then decided to descend to the bottom of the deep gorge, from where the city was revealed to us from a completely different perspective. From below, it seemed even more incredible how the white houses and centuries-old walls were built directly on the edge of the huge vertical cliffs, proudly defying the depth.
The main speciality of Ronda is the huge chasm that divides the city in two, the Tajo de Ronda, which is more than a hundred meters deep between the old town and the new town. The two parts of the city are connected by the monumental Puento Nuevo, or New Bridge, which was built in the 18th century and has now become one of the most recognizable symbols of Spain. This engineering marvel and the dramatic view of the surrounding cliffs create a unique atmosphere that has attracted writers, artists and travelers from all over the world for centuries.
The history of the city dates back to ancient times, as the Celts and Romans also maintained an important fortress at this well-defended point. During the Moorish rule, Ronda developed into one of the most important cities in Andalusia and remained an important bastion of the Islamic world until the fall of the Emirate of Granada. Christian armies recaptured the city in 1485, after which significant transformations began, and this is when the town’s current dual image was formed, with the narrow streets of the Moorish quarter and the new part of the city in Renaissance style.
Ronda is also known as the cradle of Spanish bullfighting, as it is home to one of the oldest and most beautiful bullfighting arenas in the country, the Plaza de Toros. The Romero family, who lived in the 18th century, started the modern bullfighting tradition here, which has become deeply embedded in the local culture. Walking within the historic walls of the city, you can see relics of the past, from Moorish baths to ornate palaces, all of which contribute to making Ronda one of the most visited and beloved destinations in all of Andalusia.
