Ronda: 10 things to see beyond the Tagus

No trip to Ronda is complete without witnessing the beauty of El Tajo, the gorge dividing the city into the ancient Moorish Old Town and the modern new town. The canyon and valleys are best viewed from the Puente Nuevo, a Romanesque architectural masterpiece spanning the Rio Guadalevin (river).

Ronda, in the heart of Málaga province, offers a captivating dive into Andalusia’s history with its palaces, Arab baths, watchtowers, Roman theatres, and ancient caves.

"El Tajo de Ronda" The Ronda Tagus, is a natural wonder and a cultural treasure, inspiring poets and writers like Juan Ramon Jiménez, who described it as “the essence of the traditional Andalusian town,” and Ernest Hemingway, who called Ronda “a truly romantic setting.”

1.Arab Baths

The Arab baths in Ronda date back to the Nazari period (13th and 14th centuries). Situated in the old Jewish quarter, these baths, despite their remarkable architectural designs, were abandoned due to Christian moral objections to certain practices, and eventually, the river Guadalevín's flooding buried them.

Excavations have successfully uncovered the three bathing areas (cold, warm, and hot) and the barrel-vaulted roofs featuring star-shaped skylights, all interconnected by arches. Some of the original boilers and water conveyance systems are also still present.

Remarkably, the entire structure, including its various rooms and facilities, has been preserved, making it the largest and best-preserved bath complex on the Iberian Peninsula.

2.Palacio del Marqués de Salvatierra

Situated in the historic district of Ronda, near the Padre Jesús neighborhood, this site features a magnificent baroque façade made of ashlar stone. It includes a lintelled door, Corinthian columns, and a large, locally forged balcony. The façade is crowned with a broken gable and adorned with nude figures showing clear Indian influence.

The male figures are playful, sticking out their tongues, while the female figures modestly conceal their “parts.” Both groups support the lintel, which displays the noble coat of arms of the Vasco Martín de Salvatierra family, who have been continuous heads since the Catholic Monarchs' conquest of Ronda.

The interior of the palace reflects the austerity typical of seventeenth and eighteenth-century palatial homes.

3.Iglesia del Espíritu Santo

The "Church of the Holy Spirit" was built by the Catholic Monarchs on the site of the mosque located in the Arrabal Alto. It was consecrated to commemorate the day the city was captured. The building showcases a consistent architectural style, likely completed in the late fifteenth and early sixteenth centuries, reflecting the Gothic-Renaissance hybrid style typical of that period.

The temple features a single nave divided into three sections, covered by vaults with very late starry crosses. The main chapel is accessed through a large triumphal semicircular arch with thick, high pillars integrated into the wall. The front of the temple is dominated by an altar with three stone-carved coats of arms: two belonging to Friar Bernardo Manrique, in whose diocese the work was carried out, and the third being the imperial shield of the Austrias.

4.Casa del Gigante

Situated in the historic center of Ronda, the House of the Giant is an Arab manor house constructed in the 14th century, incorporating elements from the 13th century. The name comes from the stone reliefs, possibly of Iberian origin, that adorn the building's corners, though only one remains in poor condition. Inside, there is exquisite plasterwork adorned with floral motifs, some of which were likely richly decorated, as suggested by the preserved polychromatic remnants.

The Casa del Gigante is a notable example of a stately building from Ronda's Muslim period, being the only one preserved from the Nazarí kingdom of Granada apart from the Alcazaba in Málaga

5.La Casa del Rey Moro

La Casa del Rey Moro is an 18th-century palace that contains a water collection mine of Arab origin, recognized as a Bien de Interés Cultural. This intricate Islamic structure descends to the base of the Tagus, where the Guadalevín River flows. It was constructed using a natural vertical fissure, with more than 200 steps carved into the rock, descending vertically for about a hundred meters. Inside, there are various rooms, from reservoirs to chambers, which were used for storing gunpowder and grain.

The Casa del Rey Moro that houses this Islamic structure is currently closed to the public, but visitors can explore the mine and its exquisite terraced gardens, where water from fountains and wells is ever-present. These gardens were designed and built by the renowned architect and landscaper Forestier. The multi-level garden is accessed by stairs adorned with tiles and features fountains and ponds covered with water lilies.

6.Municipal Museum of Ronda – Mondragón Palace

This is unquestionably the most important civil monument in Ronda. Legend has it that it was the home of the great king Abbel Malik or Abomelic, son of the Sultan of Morocco, Abul Asan. The Municipal Museum Ronda – Mondragón Palace contains a permanent historical-archaeological collection, offering an insightful lesson on the region's history, backed by the various archaeological investigations conducted to date.

7.Convento de Santo Domingo

This convent was once owned by Dominican friars and was initially called San Pedro Mártir. In the set of laws provided by the Catholic Monarchs for the administration and proper governance of the city of Ronda after its conquest, signed in Córdoba on July 25th, 1485, there is a directive concerning the establishment of two monasteries founded by Isabel and Fernando, namely San Francisco and Santo Domingo. It is known that the Convent was located where the Count of Benavente had his royal residence, which Moreti notes was in the Huertas de los Molinos, beneath the cliffs of the Market.

Today, it has been transformed into the Palacio de Congresos de Ronda, renovated for hosting small to medium-sized conferences, symposia, conventions, seminars, and exhibitions. The excellent facilities have successfully retained the monastic charm, peace, and tranquility it originally possessed.

8.Archaeological Site of Acinipo

The archaeological site of Acinipo is situated 21 kilometers from Ronda, on a plateau with an average elevation of 980 meters above sea level, offering expansive views of the region. According to Pliny and Ptolemy, Acinipo was part of Beturia Celtica, but during Roman times, it became one of the major cities in Andalusia.

The only remaining structure of the ancient Roman city is the theatre, constructed in the first century BC in the Greek style on a hillside, carved into the rock. Most of the seating, the orchestra, and the front of the stage were built with granite ashlar without mortar and are in relatively good condition. Remnants of baths, two houses, the official temple, the basilica, and the porticos can also be found.

9.Cueva de la Pileta

José Bullon Lobato discovered it in 1905, and it was designated a national monument in 1924. While not all parts of the cave are accessible due to safety and preservation concerns, visitors can explore the entire central section, which spans over 500 meters and features cave art dating back more than 20,000 years. This alone highlights the significance of this discovery.

Highlights include the Gallery of the Rooks, the Hall of the Bats, the Castle Hall, showcasing impressive stalagmites, the Hall, the Gallery of Goats, the Sanctuary, the Lake Hall, and more.

The cave features numerous drawings created with short strokes and Paleolithic art depicting animals such as horses, bulls, goats, the big fish, the renowned pregnant mare, deer, and much more.

10.Ermita Rupestre Virgen de la Cabeza

The Mozarabic Virgen de la Cabeza (9th to 10th century AD), also known as the caves of San Antón, is completely carved into the rock. It consists of three distinct areas: one for worship, featuring 18th-century frescoes; another for housing the religious residents; and a third for storing food and sheltering cattle.

Outside the complex, situated on the edge of the Tagus, there is a wide terrace offering a panoramic view of the plateau where the city of Ronda is located.

Conclusion

Ronda’s allure extends far beyond the breathtaking vistas of El Tajo. Each corner of this storied city offers a unique glimpse into Andalusia’s rich tapestry of history, culture, and natural beauty. From ancient palaces and evocative Arab baths to dramatic watchtowers and mysterious caves, Ronda invites you to step into a living chronicle where every stone tells a story. As you wander its cobbled streets and gaze across the iconic Puente Nuevo, it’s easy to understand why Ronda has captivated the imaginations of poets and writers for centuries. Whether you’re seeking romance, adventure, or a deeper connection with Spain’s past, Ronda promises memories that linger long after your visit ends.

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