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| Ronda | ||
| region | Andalusia | |
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| Residents | 33.730 (2020) | |
| height | 739 m | |
no tourist info on Wikidata:  | ||
| location | ||
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Ronda is a spanish City in the Málaga Province, on a canyon of the Rio Guadalevin in the Serrania de Ronda in the mountains Andalusia.
background
There are archaeological finds that indicate settlement in the Neolithic period. The Dolmen del Chopo are an example. The cave paintings in the Cueva de la Pileta (Pileta Cave) date from the Paleolithic period. The Phoenicians settled 3000 years ago. The Romans called the city Arunda. Was more important Acinipo not far from Ronda (see excursions). Then the Moors came, called them Hisn-Rand-Onda and ruled it for over 700 years.
The entrance gate to the city Puerta de Almocávar from the 13th century still stands on the road that comes from San Pedro (Marbella). The city experienced its heyday in the Middle Ages. It became the capital of the Takurunna Province and, after the fall of the Califato de Córdoba, even became an independent Taifa empire. In the era of the Nasrids, the kingdom of Granada, Ronda gained great importance because the city was a border town. It was not until 1485 that the Catholic kings conquered the city and changed it.
In the 18th century, Ronda received its current importance. Important monuments, including the Puente Nuevo, the bullring and aristocratic palaces were built. In the 19th century, the romantic image of the city and the legend of the Serrania was born, where bandits and bullfighters impressed travelers. The diversity and richness of culture and tradition make Ronda beautiful and charming. Today Ronda still lives from agriculture and above all from tourism, which is playing an increasingly important role.
According to the author Prosper Mérimée, the story Carmen took place in Ronda and the surrounding mountains. Here was the Opera Carmen also filmed in 1983, although the composer Bizet had moved the plot to Seville. If you think of the cars in Ronda, you can easily put yourself in the mood of this story.
getting there
By plane
The Malaga airport is the closest. From here you drive over Marbella and the Serrania de Ronda mountains to Ronda.
By bus
- In front of Málaga airport there are buses every 20 minutes to the center of Málaga with the bus terminal at the end.
- From the bus station, a Los Amarillos bus takes you directly to Ronda in 1½ - 2 hours.
- Travel agencies on the Costa del Sol organize guided bus excursions to Ronda in summer.
- From Marbella, the Portillo bus company runs several times a day from Marbella (San Pedro) to Ronda and back.
- From Málaga you can take Portillo to Marbella (Bus Station Plaza Concepción or Garcia Redondo).
- The bus company Transportes Generals Comes runs from Cádiz to Ronda and back.
The bus station can be found on Calle Comandante Salvador Carrasco, which is near the train station. From the bullring it is best to walk down Calle Virgen de la Paz away from the bridge. It then becomes Calle Jerez. After the park, turn right onto Calle Pozo (which then becomes Calle Lauria). There is a large parking lot on the left, which you pass and then turn left at the parking lot. You come to a high-rise building with a roundabout in front of it. You pass the house on the right and you are at the bus station.
In the street
- From San Pedro de Alcantara, a suburb of Marbella on the Costa del Sol, a well-developed road (A-376) leads over the mountains to Ronda. You have to plan 1 - 1½ hours for the journey (43 km) depending on the traffic situation. It leads up from the sea to over 1,125 m and then back down to Ronda. On the way you can stop here and there and enjoy the views. At the highest point there is a monument to Rainer Maria Rilke, a stylized pen and a memorial stone. A beautiful, winding route.
- Of Seville drive on the A-376 in the direction of Utrera to Ronda. It's a nice route.
- Of Jerez de la Frontera follow the A-382 Arcos de la Frontera, continue to Puerta Serrana (Junction to Seville) and then on the A-376 to Ronda.
- Of Cadiz drive to Jerez de la Frontera and on to Ronda (see above).
By train
There are two Renfe rail links:
- to San Roque and on to Algeciras. The journey takes about 1½ hours and is delightful because it leads from the coast up into the mountains to Ronda.
- to Antequera with a change to Málaga.
The train station is in the north of the city. It's quite a long way from here if you want to walk to the center. If you walk tight, you have been on the road for a good half an hour. The center is easy to find, however. From the train station, walk down Avenida Martínez Astein (opposite the train station) as far as possible on the right-hand side to Centra Espinel, the pedestrian zone that begins here. Then you just have to go through the whole pedestrian zone to the bullring.
mobility
Dynamic cardsIn Ronda you can reach all sights on foot.
Tourist Attractions
Churches
- 1 Santa Maria la Mayor Cathedral. The cathedral was built after the reconquest of Ronda by the Catholic kings by redesigning a mosque. Work began in 1485 and did not end until the end of the 17th century. During the Moorish period, the main mosque, Medina, stood here. After the renovation, only the Mirhab arch and a piece of the Mirhab wall with stucco remained from this time. Both parts are hidden behind the reredos of the sagrarium. You can recognize different styles, e.g. the late Gothic style on the three naves of the church. After the partial destruction by the earthquake of 1580 and the reconstruction, it is no longer purely Gothic. The choir stalls are renaissance style made of walnut and cedar wood. Baroque elements can also be found, such as the reredos of the Blessed Virgin of the Greatest Passion. The bell tower used to be a minaret. Unusual is a balcony at the front opposite Ayuntamiento (Town hall). The Cathedral of Santa Maria La Mayor is the most important church in Ronda.
- 2 Church of the Holy Spirit. Construction of the church began in 1485 and was completed 20 years later. The church looks like a Gothic fortress and used to be part of the city wall. The church consists of a nave with three vaults.
- 3 Alminar de San Sebastian, Plaza Abul Beka. The small minaret that is set back from the main street is the last remnant of a mosque from the 14th century. The associated mosque had to give way to a church.
Palaces
- 4 Palacio de Mondragón. The palace in the historic district has been renovated. It has beautiful courtyards and a terrace. Both Moorish rulers and Catholic kings lived in this palace. Today the city museum is housed here.
- 5 Casa del Gigante. has a variety of Moorish building elements, such as horseshoe arches, stucco decorations and decorative wooden ceilings.
- 6 Palacio de Salvatierra. is an 18th century mansion with a beautiful facade.
- 7 Casa del Rey Moro, Calle Cuesta de Santo Domingo 9. It is not clear whether the palace of a Moorish ruler once stood here. The current building dates from the 17th century and cannot be visited. On the other hand, you can visit the gardens and the fountain. The well is 60 meters deep and has a staircase that leads to the bottom of the gorge.
Buildings
- 8 Puente Nuevo. The "new bridge" is Ronda's main attraction. It connects the old town with the new town and crosses the deep gorge (Tajo). The 70 m long and 98 m high bridge was built in the 18th century. The wide view of the Sierra de Grazalema over the white houses arranged on both sides of the gorge is very beautiful. A bridge with an arch 35 m in diameter was built as early as 1735, but it collapsed six years after it was built, killing 50 people. In no case should you miss the view of the Puente Nuevo from below. You can walk near the Don Bosco house at the Plaza de María Auxiliadora descend. Alternatively, you can also get there by car using the Calle Prado Nuevo at the roundabout in front of the Puerta de Almocábar follows.
- 9 Bullring. The 1785 neoclassical style arena was one of the first in Spain. If you go over the bridge in the direction of Plaza de España (Parador), after 100 m you will find the Plaza de Torro, the bullring. It is the cradle of modern Spanish bullfighting. Pedro Romero (1754-1839) from Ronda created new rules, such as the fight of the torero on foot (not from the horse) and the use of a red cloth. His son and grandson continued the tradition. A bullfighting museum is attached to the arena. Pedro Romero only retired after killing 5,000 bulls and remaining unharmed. In his honor a memorial was placed on the main street in front of the arena. The arena and museum are open: From November to February from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; from April to September from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and in March and October from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. At bullfighting events, visitors to the arena and museum are not allowed unless they want to see the bullfight. Audio guides in German can be rented.
- 10 Casa Don Bosco. The house from the early 20th century, which is entered through an inviting hall lined with ceramic tiles (azulejos), is well worth seeing. You have to pay an entrance fee and can then go out onto the terrace and enjoy the beautiful view of the gorge and the new bridge. In addition, there are other noble palaces worth seeing such as Palacio de Mondragón in Ronda.
- 11 Baños Árabes. The Moorish baths were still well preserved. They were built in the 13th to 14th centuries. The arches were impressive. They were destroyed in a flood in October 2018.
- 12 Puerta de Almocábar, Plazuela Arquitecto Francisco Pons Sorolla. The former main entrance is located in the very south of the historic old town. Originally there was a gate from Moorish times here. It was expanded in the centuries that followed. The current gate was rebuilt in the 1960s.
Museums
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- 13 Real Maestranza de Caballería (Bullfighting Museum). Tel.: 34 952 874 132. The museum at the Plaza de Toro is worth seeing if you are interested in bullfighting and its history. The entrance fee includes a visit to the arena and the museum.
- 14 Museo Unicaja Joaquín Peinado, Plaza del Gigante. Tel.: 34 952 871 585. The museum can be found in Palacio de Montezuma (named after the last Aztec Sun King from Mexico), at the Plaza Del Gigante, in the heart of the historic district of Ronda. The 19th century building has mixed architectural styles. The two courtyards are worth seeing. Joaquin Peinado was born in Ronda in 1898. He was a descendant of Cézanne and the spiritual son of Picasso. He is described as the most elegant of the painters of the so-called "Spanish School" of Paris. Peinado died in Paris in 1975. Pictures from the various phases of the painter's creation from 1923 to 1974 are shown. The collection consists of more than 190 works, some of which are completely unknown. They belonged to Peinado's private collection. Works such as "Still Life with Pears", "Figure with Dove", "The Fruit Basket" and "Female Naked" have special meaning.
- 15 Museo Lara, Armiñán Street 29. Tel.: 34 952 871 263. The private museum is located in Palacio de los Condes de la Conquista shows art and antiques. On two floors there are old musical instruments, sewing machines, archaeological finds and much more to see. The museum displays more than 2000 works of art and antiques. It is the largest private museum in Andalusia.
- 16 Museo de Caza. In the hunting museum mainly prepared animals and antlers are presented.
- 17 Museo Histórico Popular de Bandolero, Armiñan Street 65. Tel.: 34 952 877 785. The Bandit Museum is dedicated to the often romanticized banditry of the 18th and 19th centuries. More than 100 exhibits can be seen, including weapons, documents, clothing and other equipment.
Streets and squares
- 18 Plaza de España. at the Puente Nueva.
- 19 Plaza del Socorro. is a large square in the new town with restaurants, a church and a fountain. There is a large parking garage under the plaza.
Parks
- Alameda de Tajo. The park borders the gorge not far from the bullring. At the edge of the gorge is the one Mirador de Ronda which offers a beautiful view over the entrance to the gorge and the Umlad. The Puente Nuevo cannot be seen from here.
The old town
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The really exciting thing about Ronda isn't the bridge, even if everyone seems to be gathering here, it's the old town. There is nothing left of the Moorish buildings, everything was destroyed after the conquest by the Christians, but the old town with its beautiful little alleys and its white houses was built right on top of the Moorish city. Since cars can hardly get through in the alleys, the traffic is largely locked out here, you can imagine the life that used to be here very beautifully. The old town is of course also the destination of many tour groups. If you are traveling alone, you can best enjoy the old town if you stay a little away from the groups, because then the spark that the old town gives off is much easier to jump over. You should also overlook the few shops created for travelers and not buy any souvenirs here. As I said, most of the alleys have been spared from these shops.
You should plan enough time for a stroll through the old town, the best thing is not to leave it at all, because many people are so impressed that they would rather stay here a little longer and do without something else.
tour
Park the car in the parking garage under Plaza del Socorro. If you turn right in the plaza, you will arrive at the Plaza de Toro. The monument to Romero stands in front of the arena. Cross the main street and go left past the bullring. At the monument to the bull is the entrance to the museum and the arena. If you go straight ahead you will come to the Rio Guadalevin canyon. Enjoy the view of the country. Then turn left and follow the path past the back of the Parador to the bridge. You have a nice view of the bridge structure. Cross the bridge. Cross the street. The view from the other side of the Sierra and the bridge is also very nice. Go ahead and take the first right. To the right and left are proud mansions. You will pass the Casa Don Bosco. From the terrace and the adjoining small park you have a beautiful view of the bridge. After the Plaza del Campillo, from which you can go down into the gorge, turn left and then immediately right. The alley takes you to the Santa Maria la Mayor church and the town hall. You can now go down to the Arab baths or walk past the church on the right and back through narrow streets to the bridge.
- 1 Parking garage (Plaza del Socorro).
activities
trips
- The nature park is to the west of Ronda Sierra de Grazalema. First follow the A-376 in the direction of Seville and turn left after La Quinta onto the A-372 in the direction of Grazalema. On the more beautiful and serpentine mountain road CA-531 you get to Grazalema via the place worth visiting Zahara de la Sierra. The road climbs up in serpentines to 1331 m and has very beautiful views of the reservoir Embalse de Zahara. The Sierra de Grazalema is famous for botanical and ornithological excursions. Many live in the park Griffon Vulture. Due to the frequent rains, nature is diverse and green. Here you can find the rare Spanish fir above 1000 m Albies pinsapo. Access to the nature park is regulated for nature conservation reasons. Information is available from the information center of the nature park in El Bosque at the end of the village in the direction of Arcos de la Frontera, Tel. 956 727029, in Grazalema (on the village square, Tel. 956 132225) or in Zahara de la Sierra (at the eastern end of the main street, Tel. 956 123114). The permits for hikes in the core zone of the nature park are available there. In Grazalema you can buy a Spanish-language booklet, Guía Turística de Grazalema. In 1977 the park was declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO and in 1984 it became the first Andalusian nature park.
- The nature park is located east of Ronda towards the coast Sierra de la Nieves. The park is a walking area.
- The Cueva de Pileta (Cave) was discovered in 1906. It was inhabited in the Neolithic. Line drawings on the walls remind of this. There are tours. You have to dress warmly because it is cool in the cave. How to get there Drive on the A-376 for about 15 km in the direction of Jerez or Seville to the junction of the MA-505 road to the left and then 18 km to the stalactite cave. The junction is signposted.
- To Ronda de Vieja (old Ronda) you first follow the A-376 and then soon turn right onto the MA-449 road. This junction is also signposted. The remains of the Roman city of Acinipio are modest, as the Vandals ravaged the place in 429 AD. There is not much left to see other than the remains of a Roman theater.
- The nature park is further away El Torcal with its bizarre limestone slabs. It is located near Antequera and is very worth seeing.
Celebrations, fiestas
The Feria at the beginning of September is celebrated in Ronda with parades and bullfights.
shop
In Ronda, everyday objects are made from white glazed ceramics. The pedestrian zone Ctra. Espinel runs from the bullring to Avenida Málaga. Here you can actually find everything for your daily needs. It is not that expensive here, as the shops are geared not only to tourists, but also to the city's residents. You can even go shopping here if you feel like it. Even if you want to eat cheaply, you can definitely find something to suit your taste here.
kitchen
- On the drive from Marbella's San Pedro de Alcantara district to Ronda you can have a drink on the left-hand side of the road after the highest point of the road (at km 12.5). Bar / Restaurant "La Laja" is a small, rustic mountain pub where you can stop off. They also have a good breakfast there (Desayuno). In good weather you can sit outside and enjoy the view of the mountains.
- Around two or three corners from the main street used by the tourist guides you will find nice little restaurants where you can eat very well. For breakfast you should try a kind of dough ring (not sweet), as it is baked in oil in huge metal pots in cafés. your name is Churros and are dipped in liquid chocolate before eating. You are very fat.
Cheap
- Telepizza pizzeria, C / Jerez 9.
- MC Donalds, Plaza de España.
- Pizzanova, C / Granada 21.
and other
medium
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- Don Miguel, Plaza de España. With numerous places with a view of the bridge in terraces.
- Don Javier, C / Virgen de la Paz 7, (on the road from the bridge past the bullring).
and other
Upscale
- Parador de Ronda, Plaza España.
- Sol y Somba, C / Virgen de la Paz 26, (on the road from the bridge past the bullring).
- Albacara, C / Tenorio 8. There are a couple of tables on a terrace overlooking the bridge.
and other
nightlife
Ronda's nightlife is rather quiet. If you want to dance the night away, you are definitely wrong here and should rather go to the nearby one Costa del Sol drive. But in the center of the city you will find many small bars and restaurants where you can end the day in a relaxed way. You can sit outside and enjoy your drink and your food. If you go north on the road over the Puente Nuevo, you will surely find a suitable restaurant here or something to the right in the city to end the day nicely.
accommodation
Addresses for hostals and hotels can be obtained from the tourist office in Plaza de España. The Parador and shops are located here, including for white ceramics.
Cheap
- Pension Andalucia **, Avda. Martinez Astein 19th. Feature: pension.
- Pension Aguilar *, C / Naranja 28. Feature: pension.
- Pension Biarritz *, C / Almendra 7. Feature: pension.
- Hotel Morales *, C / Seville 51.
and other
medium
- Hotel Don Miguel, in Plaza España. Tel.: 952 871 090.
- Hotel El Tajo, C / Cruz Verde 7.
Upscale
- Parador de Ronda ****, in Plaza España by the new bridge.
- Hotel Husa Reina Victoria ****, Jerez 25. Tel.: 952 871 240.
- Hotel Molina del Arco ****, Partido de los Frontones.
- Hotel Maestranza ****, C / Virgen de la Plaz 24.
and other
Learn
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Work
security
In Ronda, many people come together on many days and they all want to see almost the same thing. So it is correspondingly full in the streets around the Puente Nuevo. This is of course a very good area of work for pickpockets. But that's not so bad if you stick to the known precautionary measures. It's the same everywhere when a lot of people meet. All in all, Ronda is quite safe. At the Plaza de España there are always two officers from the Policia Local who you can turn to in the event of damage.
health
Practical advice
If you come to Ronda by car, you either have to laboriously look for a parking space or in that Parking garage under the Plaza del Socorro park in the new part of town. Coming from Marbella you drive through the old town, cross the new bridge (Puente Nuevo), take the first right, then left and straight ahead into the underground parking garage. From the parking garage you can easily get the Plaza de Toro to reach.
There is one more second parking garage. You cross the new bridge, go straight on Parque Alameda over and then left into the parking garage.
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literature
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- Rainer Maria Rilke lived in Ronda from November 1912 to February 1913 and completed his 6th birthday. Duino Elegies. He wrote about Ronda "... the incomparable phenomenon of this city, set over the mass of two cut stones and separated by a narrow and deep river gorge, could very well correspond to the image of this other city shown in dreams. The spectacle of this city is indescribable, and in the area, a wide valley with fields of work, holm oaks and olive trees. And far away, as if they had all their strength again, the mountains come again, mountain country after mountain country, to form the beautiful distance . " and elsewhere: "... that's why it was wonderful and right to have found Ronda, which as a result of all the things I wanted, corresponds to: a Spanish city as a watchtower in a fantastic and great way .. . "
- Also Ernest Hemingway was in Ronda and said: "If you go to Spain for a honeymoon or to be with a friend, you have to come to Ronda. The whole city and the area have a romantic decoration. (...) Nice walks, good wine, wonderful food, nothing to be done ... "
- James Joyce wrote in Ulysses: "... and Ronda, with the old windows of the inns, with eyes, looking at the lattice windows so that her lover kisses the iron rod, and the pubs with the doors half open in the night, and the castanets and the night when we lost the ship from Algeciras, and the guard who does his job with a lantern, and this terrible and deep gorge, oh, and the sea, the reddish sea, sometimes like the fire and the sacred sunsets, and the Fig trees on the promenade. Yes, and all those strange alleys and pink, blue and yellow houses and the gardens with roses, jasmines, geraniums and cactus. "
Two books are published in German:
- Ronda del Guinardó by Juan Marsé, ISBN 3891510802
- Luise Rinser and Ronda - the poetic magic of a city by José Sanchez de Murillo, Chr. Rinser and Martin Thuner. ISBN 3000220844
Web links
- The official tourism website of Ronda: http://www.turismoderonda.es in Spanish, German and English with all pensions and hotels in the city.
