There are vertigo-proof places in the world: from the top floor of the Empire State Building in New York to the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland. However, when we talk about Spain, and specifically Andalusia, all eyes point to the Nuevo de Ronda bridge, a lavish work of engineering that defines the personality of this city in the interior of the province of Malaga where you can enjoy the best views and experiences.
The origin of Ronda can be found in ancient Arunda, founded by the Romans on the remains of an Iberian settlement on a steep plateau. The arrival of the Visigoths and, especially, the Muslims, would mean the expansion of the city until the Reconquista. A melting pot of cultures that today whispers between streets and ravines that take your breath away.
After walking the charming promenade of the Alameda del Tajo, your legs begin to shake even before you look out. And of course, when you contemplate the view from the Ronda viewpoint – also known as Balcón del Coño -, the reaction is evident. It is the magic of a city whose privileged position seduces with as many heights as panoramic views. You just have to walk a little further and feel the earth open up under your feet across the New Bridge in Ronda.
Considered the great icon of Ronda, this 98-meter-high bridge was built in the 18th century over almost forty years to join the two main neighborhoods of the city. As you look out, the Guadalevín River cuts out the whims of this steep plateau through the Tajo de Ronda, and the viewpoint of the Puente Nuevo allows you to take the photograph you came looking for.
However, there is much more to see in Ronda. Bullfighting city par excellence, its bullring is the oldest in Spain – it was built in 1785 – and is an unmissable visit during a walk near the Puente Nuevo, although in some cases, like this author’s, it is preferable limit yourself to contemplating the construction from the outside.
After a stop to have a typical mollete, there is nothing better than crossing the bridge and letting yourself be carried along the cobblestone streets until you reach the house of the Moro King, another of the essential places to visit in Ronda. This 18th century palace includes different neo-Mudejar style gardens designed by the landscape designer Forestier, the same one behind icons such as the María Luisa park in Seville or the Montjuïc park in Barcelona. A set of fountains, colorful tiles and hedges that offers impressive views of the Tajo de Ronda gorge and even a “secret” shortcut to get to the river bank. In the patio you will find stairs that take you to the bowels of the rock itself to descend to the Guadalevín River. This access was created for an 80-meter-deep mine built to extract water with a waterwheel and go up with full buckets.
Once we completed the visit, we took the Santo Domingo slope until we reached the palace of the Marqués de Salvatierra, a Renaissance-style palace declared a Site of Cultural Interest but whose interior cannot be visited. Further on, we find the Old Bridge of Ronda, built in the 16th century to connect the old medina with the new neighborhood of the city. One of the best viewpoints around this bridge is the Cuenca gardens, ideal for seeking shade on the hottest days. From bridge to bridge, the last one we find is the Arab, the oldest in Ronda.
The Islamic heritage is very present in the city, as confirmed by the Arab baths, built between the 13th and 14th centuries on the remains of ancient Roman baths. Around you, you will also see the three sections of the Ronda wall: Poniente, Levante and the South wall, which encompass different access doors.
Cultures intermingle in Ronda to lead you to the Duquesa de Parcent square, where we find buildings such as the church of Santa María la Mayor, the convent of Claridad, the convent of Clarisas and the Town Hall. Furthermore, if you like museums, you cannot miss a visit to the Mondragón Palace, home of the Ronda Museum and a perfect journey through the history of the city through its brand new patio and gardens of Mudejar charm.
When you finish, you may have a hard time recognizing what year you are in. The old Ferris wheel seems to keep spinning, cultures talk to each other, and an alleyway reveals a new view. You will feel like you are floating, but it is the magic of Ronda. Its ability to guide you through as many heights as there are ways to look out.