Its origins go back to the Celts who called this spot Arunda; some historians situate the city in Acinipo, and both populations were passed to the Romans; later on it was Muslim and in the XV century, conquered by the Catholic Kings. It was also occupied by Napoleanic troops and defend themselves from them, they organised centers of banditry.
The hitoric city is divided into three zones: the neighbourhood of San Francisco (XV century), Puerta de Almocábar (XIII century) and Puerta de Carlos I (XVI century).
There are a lot of monumental spaces in this city; among the main ones are the Mondragón Palace, the headquarters of the kings from Muslims to the Christians, with Mudejar, Gothic, and Baroque elements; La Casa del Gigante, of Arab origin (XV century); the Palaca of Salvatierra (XVII-XVIII centuries) with a Renaissance facade and the very interesting House of the Moorish King, poorly named, given that it is already the XVIII century; through its gardens you can access the descent to the Mine that goes down to the bottom of the Tagus.
The Arab baths are interesting from the XIII or XIV century, and the famous Puente Nuevo of the XVIII century, work of Martín de Aldehuela, with superimposed arches. The bull ring is the oldest in Spain from XVIII, and Martín de Aldehuela also intervened in this work. The Collegiate Chuch Santa María la Mayor (Century XV to XVIII) is the primitive mosque. The fountain of the Ocho Caños, from the period of Carlos III, is close to the old Arabic bridge over the Tagus.
The minaret of San Sebastian is a Nazarí construction of the XVI century, not far from the Convento del Espíritu Santo, of Gothic-Renaissance transition. El Templete (Small temple) de los Dolores is a votive chapel in the street from the XVIII century. The chuch of father Jesus, of Gothic-Renaissance style, is from the XVI century. Santo Domingo and the Convent of San Francisco were founded by the Catholic kings in 1485. El Santuario Nuestra Señora de la Paz is from the XVI and XVIII centuries.
The popular grove of San Carlos or of Tagus is a beautiful garden from the XVIII century with a large row of balconies with views of the Guadalevin valley. In the Roman ruins of Acinipo, about 20 km in the direction of Setenil, the Roman theatre is preserved (stage, wall, orchestra, and tiers). Benaoján is 15 km away, with the Knows caves of Gato and La Pileta. In the direction towards the coast, the access to the Natural park of the Sierra de las Nieves is located, and the connection to the incomparable Valle del Genal, whose town and chestnut groves, both of which are beautiful, are essential to see.
Where to sleep?
La Casona de la Ciudad **** C/Marqués de Salvatierra 5 Telf.952879595 Fax 952161095 www.lacasonadelaciudad.com
Hotel Enfrente Arte C./ Real40 (Double room from 80 Euros) Telf.(0034) 952879088 /43 12 Fax 952877217 www.enfrentearte.com
Hotel Maestranza **** Virgen de la Paz 24 Telf 952187072 Fax. 952190170 www.hotelmaestranza.com
Hotel Don Miguel *** Villanueva 8 Telf.952877722 Fax. 952878377 www.dmiguel.com
Parador Nacional de Ronda *** Pza. De España 1 Telf. 952877500 Fax: 952878188 www.parador.es
Hotel Residencia El Tajo *** Cruz Verde 5, Telf.952874040 Fax: 952875099
Hostal Virgen del Rocío ** C/. Nueva 18 Telf.952877425 cheap hotel
Where to eat?
Restaurante Tragabuches €€€ José Aparicio 1 Telf. 952190291 www.tragabuches.com
Pedro Romero €€ Virgen de la Paz 18 Telf. 952871110 Spezialität: Rabo de Toro
Don Miguel €€ Villanueva 4, Telf. 952871090
Doña Pepa € Plaza del Socorro 10 Telf. 952874238
Sol y Sombra Virgen de la Paz 26 Telf. 952187176
Ronda on the web
http://www.turismoderonda.es/Tourist information of Ronda
http://www.ronda.net Information from Ronda only in spanish available