Ronda and surroundings
The city of Ronda is the owner of one of the most beautiful Historical Complexes in Spain. Declared an Asset of Cultural Interest since 1966, it houses a rich and diverse historical heritage that can be visited with various alternatives.
Ronda is one of the oldest cities in Spain you must visit. Its origins date back to the Paleolithic, proof of this is “La Cueva de la Pileta”, located in Benaoján, (22 km from Ronda). One of the best examples of cave art from the Andalusian Paleolithic.
The Roman occupation has also left numerous traces, the archaeological site of Acinipo (Roman city), 12 km from Ronda, is the most important. The best visible construction is the Theater, undoubtedly one of the best preserved in the Peninsula.
The influence of the Islamic period has been one of the most transcendent due to its cultural legacy in a broad sense: urbanism, gastronomy, traditions, farming systems, etc. With the conquest of the city by the Catholic Monarchs (1485), profound economic and cultural transformations took place.
Of the walled fence preserved in Ronda, ”La Puerta de Almocabar” , was one of the main access gates to the city in this times.
Other important remains are «La Puerta and Muralla de La Cijara». It is made up of a double defensive line that housed the Islamic suburbs of Ronda and the public baths. On the other hand are «Las Murallas de la Albacara», whose function was to defend the productive areas of the city (mills) and house livestock in case of risk. Two access gates are located here: “La Puerta del Cristo» or “Los Molinos” and “La Puerta del Viento”.
«Los baños árabes» are the best preserved thermal complex on the Peninsula. «La Casa del Gigante» also stands out. House-Palace from the Nasrid period similar to those of the Granada and those of the Magred, which fully preserves the original design of its Arabic design.
«El Alminar de San Sebastián», is a small tower that was part of one of the Arab mosques in the medina and that later served as the bell tower of the disappeared church with the same name.
In the 18th century the most significant and emblematic monuments of Ronda were built: «El puente nuevo del Tajo» and «Plaza de toros
To combine your visit to Ronda with another of the most beautiful and original towns in Spain, I advise you to book a tour of Setenil, this town is one of the most visited in Spain.
We will visit Its famous cave houses built under large rocks that protect them from the sun.
From the viewpoint of Carmen, located on top of a rock, there are fantastic views of the entire town «La Torre del Homenaje», «La Muralla» and «La Iglesia de la Encarnación».
In «La Ermita de Nuestra Señora del Carmen», from the 18th century, is the image of the town’s patron saint.
«El Torreón» is another of the essential places to visit. It belonged to an old medieval fortress built during the Islamic occupation. At its feet is the cistern, another of the testimonies of the old fortress.
