When the Puritans referred to Boston as the "city on the hill" they had obviously never heard of Ronda. Ronda is a city in Andalucia, a region of southern Spain, just under one hundred mile north of the blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea. Sitting high in the mountains of Malaga province, Ronda was one of the last Moorish cities to fall to the Crusaders. It is famous for its dramatic river gorge that divides the town into two parts.
Ronda is a magnificent place to visit for a number of reasons, first and foremost, its impressive architecture that has been expertly blended into the natural landscape; when you visit Ronda your first impression may be that it was formed with the mountains and was not man-made. Impressive walls, some of which are adorned with Arab writing, protect the city. The palaces and houses sit, etched into the stone, and the buildings appear to be growing out of the bedrock. Once you get over the initial shock of beauty and engineering genius, you should take a look around the city and enjoy some of its attractions. You can choose to wander the streets and discover on your own, but to get the full experience it is recommended that you develop a plan and do some reserach on the sites you will see. To help in your quest you may want to check in at a tourist office. There are two tourist offices located in the city for maps and other information. One is located in the Plaza de Blas Infante, the other in the Plaza de Espana. Here are some spots you will likely be directed to investigate.
Inside the city you will find one of Spain's treasures-the "Mirador"-the bullring. Ronda is famous for its bullring, which is the oldest and most decorative one in the entire country. The arena is the country's largest, and it still functions today. When it is not used for events it is open to the public for tours.
Another spot you should not miss is the Casa del Rey Moro. It was built in the 18th century under Christian rule. While it was called the Moorish Palace, it was never home to a Moorish King. The Casa del Rey Moro is an impressive architectural feat. Here you will find beautifully laid-out gardens with hanging flowers, an impressive fishpond, and wonderfully constructed rock designs. Inspired by French design, this garden was built entirely for the Christian King and his family. The one bit of Moorish influence at the Casa is the water-mine. In the 14th century the warring groups of Moors from Seville and Granada frequently besieged Ronda. The first aim of attackers was usually to cut off the water supply. Legend has it that, using Christian captives as slaves, Ronda's Moorish king, Abomelik commanded the cutting of steps into the stone walls of the gorge to allow for the transport of water from the river below. Many died in the process of making the steps, still more suffered under hard labor driven by the king's demand for water. If you are daring you might descend three hundred steps down the water mine and emerge at the base of the gorge.
Along with the bullring and Casa del Rey Moro, you will want to scope out the churches located at the northern end of the city, as well as the old mosque that still stands today. Depending on what time of the year you go to Ronda, you may have the chance to witness and participate in a festival. The Fiesta de la Virgen de La Paz, a celebration of the patron Saint of Ronda, is held on January 24th, and the Semana Santa, or Holy Week, is celebrated towards the end of December. These are just two of the many special events that occur on the streets of this beautiful and historical town.
To enjoy all the above you must be prepared to stay more than several hours in Ronda. There are a plethora of hostels and hotels to choose from. Likewise, you will find an abundant supply of cafes, bars, and restaurants to satisfy you hunger and quench your thirst. When you are in Ronda, especially during the summer months, be sure to try a tall glass of Sangria along with several Tapas. Between drinks and meals you may find a need for shopping. If this is the case, you are in luck; Ronda is full of merchants selling their unique goods. Arts and crafts are abundant in this town. Spanish silver can be bought from the merchants on the street, as well as a plethora of antiques, paintings, and cloth-work. Ronda is famous for handicraft guitars and wickerwork as well.
So, how do you get to this mountainous wonder? If you are coming from the south of Ronda and if you very brave and do not mind driving on steep and curvy roads while cars zoom by you in the no-passing lane, then it is recommended that you rent a car and do it yourself. If you are more hesitant about this precarious driving situation you may opt for the Al-Andalus train. You can pick this up in Malaga. Another option for those south of Ronda who want to avoid the "scenic" route up the mountains is to rent a car and drive from the direction of Malaga. Whatever way you get there, it is almost certain you will not want to leave the city of Ronda.
