Intriguing Ronda Sights

Ronda is place that has many intriguing sights to behold. Tourists would love to walk through this quaint town to check out the old and delightful pieces that stretch back in time to unveil the rich and exquisite culture of the past epochs with their impressive architectural skills and knowledge.

Ciudad quarter

The Ciudad quarter is an old section of Ronda with many quaint offerings. One of the highlights here is the impressive Alcázar fortress built by the Moors in the 13th century before the French came and plundered the place in 1809. The once virtually impregnable fortress was destroyed a few years before the fall of Granada when different conquerors came onto the scene.

Also found in the Ciudad quarter is some excellent and well preserved town gates set up by the Moors and the Re-Conquest. Ronda also has a couple of old and new bridges that are quaint structures. In order to maintain it, the ancient Puente Nuevo Bridge is closed today to the public. Its bar used to the town prison during the Civil War; the gorge near the bridge is where prisoners during the vicious massacres in Ronda were thrown into as recorded in Hemingway’s book “For Whom the Bell Tolls”.

Mercadillo quarter

This site was set up by the Christian Re-conquest with less interesting structures compared to those found in Ciudad. There is a well preserved inn which Miguel Cervantes stayed; there is also the 16th century Posada de las Ãnimas which is the oldest building in Mercadillo quarter. It is also called Hogar del Pensionista located on Calle Cecilia. Other old structures include 18th century Plaza de Toros, Plaza de España and the ancient paseo that is situated on an intriguing cliff top that offers panoramic views of Ronda’s bridges.

Development

Ronda is well involved in modern development while preserving the old especially in traditions that are stemmed from the past colorful cultures such as bullfighting. Ronda boasts to be the origin of modern corrida or bullfighting. Its 1781 bullring is purported the oldest in Spain that attracts many during the annual bullfighting season.

September is an exciting time in Ronda where fiestas are held; there is the celebration of corrida goyesca in honor of Goya, Spain’s renowned artist who painted many delightful bullfights at Ronda. This fiesta is celebrated in grand style with participants donned in 18th century costumes.

The bullring is open to the public during its off peak season as there is a museum which houses many interesting pictures and information about bullfighting.