Ronda boasts a monumentality that few destinations can boast. Its old town, declared Historic-Artistic Site, is a succession of buildings that respond to the most diverse architectural styles and corners full of charm.
From the nineteenth-century Alameda del Tajo, the traveler will begin to perceive the grandeur of the ‘Dream City’ by Rainer Maria Rilke and the singular beauty of its natural environment.
Bridges and Tagus
The New Bridge was built on the Tagus in the 18th century. It measures 98 meters and its board rests on large semicircular arches. The best views of such an impressive work are obtained from the balconies of the Jardines de Cuenca.
Older but less spectacular is the Old Bridge, designed in 1616. In its surroundings are the Arch of Felipe V and the famous Silla del Rey Moro. Noble houses and palaces The Mondragón Palace is the most notable civil monument in the city. It was built in the fourteenth century and now houses the Museum of Ronda.
The traveler can also visit the modernist House of San Juan Bosco and the Palace of the Marquis of Salvatierra.
Other examples of cultural heritage are the Casa del Gigante, a jewel of Nasrid architecture, and the Palacio del Rey Moro, from the 18th century. A staircase carved into the rock leads from its gardens to the mine of Arab origin that descends to the river.
Churches and convents
The church of Santa María la Mayor, built on top of a mosque, and the town hall, located in the former militia barracks, overlook the gardens of the Plaza de la Duchess de Parcent.
In this urban space are the Church of La Caridad and the convent of Santa Isabel de los Ángeles, both from the 16th century.
Among the buildings erected by order of the Catholic Monarchs include the church of the Holy Spirit and the Convent of Santo Domingo.
Near the eighteenth-century Fountain of the Eight Canals rises the church of Father Jesus and a short distance appears the Temple of the Virgen de los Dolores.
The traveler will have the opportunity to see the uncorrupted hand of Santa Teresa in the church of La Merced, approach the patron saint of Ronda in the Sanctuary of the Virgen de la Paz or admire the altarpieces of the church of Santa Cecilia. The catalog of religious monuments is completed with the convents of the Mother of God and of San Francisco.
Arab and Roman round
The Puerta de Almocábar was one of the entrances to the Muslim medina. Of that period several stretches of walls, three other doors, the Minaret of San Sebastian and the best preserved Arab Baths of Spain, persist.
Outside the old town are the Mozarabic rock monastery of the Virgen de la Cabeza and the ruins of Acinipo. Among the remains of the Roman city stands the theater, with its cave carved in the rock.
Bandolero Museum
Unique in Spain for its theme, which exposes the history of this social phenomenon. To do this, a truthful journey is developed through the documents, photographs, personal data and events of each of the bandits who roamed our Serrania.
It is articulated around five rooms: Room of the Romantic Travelers. Exhibition of sheets of the Epoch and various Historical Documents, such as baptismal certificates, death certificates, edicts, royal cedulas, etc. Room “Live the banditry.”
It is composed of dioramas, photographs, weapons, coins, official seals, oil, etc. Room “Men and Names”. Dedicated to the known bandits who still persist in the memory and belonging to the romantic period of banditry: Diego Corrientes, José María El Tempranillo, the Tragabuches … Room “Those who followed the trail”.
Special mention to the Civil Guard, a body that distinguished itself in the fight against banditry. It contains clothing of the time, graphic and documentary material, etc.
Room “Weapons and written testimonies”. It consists of the room of own armament of the bandits. Original and vintage pieces, blunderbusses, knives, pistols etc., as well as a library of 195 books, written by characters who lived this part of our history closely. Editions of 1823 until our days.
In the same way, in this Museum, a Tavern of the time and an audiovisual of Banditry is recreated. More information on the museum’s website: www.museobandolero.com
Museo Taurino
Arab and Roman round
The objective of the museum is to offer simple and clear information about the institution of the Real Maestranza de Caballería de Ronda, its influence on the development and evolution of the Art of Bullfighting, and the place occupied by Ronda in the history of the National Festival.
The Museum of Bullfighting, under the lines of the square, offers visitors a chronological tour around the fundamental aspects of the national holiday, the city of Ronda, the relationship with the cavalry and, ultimately, with the institution itself, promoter of the bullfighting tradition.
In February 2006 the collection of the Royal Saddlery of the House of Orleans, belonging to King Louis Philippe of France and his son, the Duke of Montpensier, was added to the set. And, more recently, a unique collection of Ancient Firearms for hunting and mourning, which spans from the sixteenth to the nineteenth century.
This panorama of chivalric customs and uses is completed by the gallery dedicated to the Real Maestranza de Caballería, which reviews its origins, linked to the orders of chivalry; his heraldry and identity, as a noble corporation that has been maintained over time; and its relationship with the city of Ronda.
More information on the Real Maestranza de Caballería de Ronda website: www.rmcr.org
Lara Museum
Lara Museum, located in the old historic center of the city, next to the Tajo de Ronda. It is located in the Palace House of the Count of the Conquests of the Batanes Islands. It represents the first private museum space in Spain where the world of Communication, Art, Archeology, Science and Popular Arts come together to offer a broad and varied journey about our past.
The following rooms can be seen: Watches (18th century) Weapons (17th century) Scientific instruments Archeology Winery (18th century) Navajas y Trabuco Collection Bullfighting History of Film and Photography You can also visit 2 Exhibitions: Witchcraft Exhibition: Unusual objects and fantastic creatures. Exhibition of the Holy Inquisition: Characters and objects of torture of the Holy Inquisition.
You can find more information at www.museolara.org