Ronda, Spain!

On a rest day of climbing in El Chorro, we decided to drive a little over an hour to a picturesque little town called Ronda that is perched high on the cliffs overlooking a sweeping valley below.

Puente Nuevo bridge

The town is known for its deep ravine (El Tajo) and the Puente Nuevo bridge, which spans the ravine and connects the old and new parts of the city. The Puente Nuevo (Spanish for “New Bridge”) is one of the most iconic landmarks of Ronda. It was designed by the architect José Martín de Aldehuela and construction began in 1759. It took over 40 years to complete and was finally inaugurated in 1793. It is constructed of massive stone arches and is over 100 meters high. When you look down from the top of the bridge you can barely see the waterfall at the bottom of the ravine. The town and beautiful stately villas along the edge of the cliff seem impossibly high compared to the valley that stretches out to the horizon below. The bridge is considered a masterpiece of 18th-century engineering and is an awe inspiring centerpiece of the town.

Plaza de Toros de Ronda

The Plaza de Toros de Ronda is another notable attraction in the city. It is one of the oldest and most famous bullfighting arenas in Spain, and is considered the birthplace of modern bullfighting. The plaza was built in 1785 and has a capacity of 9,000 spectators. It has hosted some of the most famous bullfights in history and I am told they still host bull fights there to this day. Walking across the packed dirt arena and through the gates and stalls where the bulls are held was definitely a unique experience. The Plaza de Toros also housed training areas for the Real Maestranza de Caballeros. The Real Maestranza de Caballeros de Ronda is a prestigious fraternity that is dedicated to the art of bullfighting and horsemanship. At the time of the formation of the Maestranza, fighting on horseback using lances or spears was a critical skill for nobles going to war. This is apparent from the huge indoor training hall for the horsemen that is lighted by enormous chandeliers.