WALKING AROUND IN RONDA

Ronda is one of the most ancient cities in Spain. Throughout its history, it had different names : Ronda was the Celtic Arunda, the Roman Acinipo, and the Moorish Izn-Rand Onda. The River Guadalevin cuts the town in two and time has cut its deep Tajo or gorge, 120 meters deep and the town’s identifying mark. On one side, new Ronda, wide and happy with its historic bullring; on the other side, ancient and intimate Ronda, full of monuments that are the living proof of its ancestral past.

(excerpt from Ronda’s Practical City Guide)

COMING TO RONDA

Our coming to Ronda was not planned, and was not also one of the easiest routes we have had. After Guadix, we were planning to go to Granada, but because we couldn’t find a parking for D’Traveller, we drove further to neighbouring towns of Loja and Archipona. But both towns offered not much, at least for us. After driving the whole Sunday afternoon, we finally ended up in Antequera, to spend the night there. The following day, we drove 20 kilometers up to Laguna Fuente de Piedra to see some flamingos. But because of bad weather (it was raining the whole day), we stayed almost the whole day in the camper at the parking of the laguna. We were able to see just about 10 flamingos I think. Later in the evening, the guard of the park told us it was not allowed to stay overnight there, so we drove 5 kilometers back to the village. Coming out of the village the following day was another irritating incident. The navigator was having its bad time and we found ourselves driving around three times in and out of the village before we finally found ourselves on the good way to Ronda. It was after driving an extra 40 kilometers!

Luckily, once in Ronda, we were able to immediately find a nice parking, just about 1 kilometer to the city center, and with fantastic views of the mountain and valleys.

Campsite : c/ de Jimena de Libar Urbanizacion parque del Sur Ronda

Coordinates : N: 36.75071 W: 5.17101

WALKING TOUR IN RONDA

Ronda has lots of museums, churches and noble houses or palaces, but this time, we opted not to enter any of these atrractions (all except for Iglesia Espirito Santo), as all of these were asking for entrance fee. No church is to be visited for free! What we did was just walked around the town of Ronda, which we found more rewarding, and cheaper 🙂

In fact, the best way to discover and see Ronda is by foot! From our parking area, there is a nice path that runs from the modern part of the town, in Paseo delos Ingleses, passing Alameda de Tajo and Plaza de Toros, continuing to Paseo Blas Infante, walking behind the parador, ang coming out to Puente Nuevo. A hike down to the valley, walking along Tenorio street up to Plaza Maria Auxiliadora is also a wonderful route as it will bring you down to the valley with wonderful views of the Tajo. After that, go back and have a short rest at Plaza Auxiliadora, then continue walking in the area up to Ayuntamiento and Iglesia Mayor, down to Iglesia de Espiritu Santo. Here you can go up to the tower, and also see the anciet gate of Almocabar. Walk the dirt road to Banos Arabes and pass thru the two other bridges, Puente Romana and Arabe. You can go back to the modern city by taking a stroll up to Parque Cuenca where you also have a nice view of the two bridges.

RONDA THRU MY LENS

Views from Paseo delos Ingleses

2. Plaza de Toros (Real Maestranza de Caballeria de Ronda)- built in 1785 nad one of the oldest in Spain; it is now a museum on bullfighting.

3. Paseo de Blas Infante

4. Puente Nuevo – hanging above the 120-meter deep Tajo this, bridge connects modern Ronda to old Ronda. For 2 euro, you can visit the Center Interpretcion de Tajo to gain deeper understanding over this bridge.