Marbella Guide - Ronda
Ronda is a charming and historic town that should be a priority for any visitor to Andalucia and the Costa del Sol. It is located on a plain in the Serrania de Ronda mountains and the town is cut in half by a spectacular gorge. Not only that but it has excellent Moorish remains and what is said to be the oldest bullring in Spain, which for a population of just 34,000 holds 5,000 seats. It also features a bullfighting mesum with an incredible collection of 'trajes de luces'.
The Bridges
There are three which cross the Tajo, the river that splits Ronda into two. To the east of the town is the old town, known as the ciudad, and to the west, the more recent' mercadillo'.
The lowest and oldest bridge is the Puente Arabe from the Moorish era, then the Puente Viajo from the 17th century and still taking vehicular traffic today, and thirdly the Puente Nuevo which had a bit of a trgic opening. The architect, Martin Aldehuela, was lowered over the parapet to inpect the work, his hat blew off, and in reaching for it he fell to his death. Bad move.
At the end of the gorge are the Ararb Baths with typical hot and cold rooms, fed by a nearby stream. Within the ciudad there are some other Moorish remains such as the Minaret de San Sebastian, a 14th century mosque, and one of the city gates, the Puerto del Almocobar which has a horeshoe arch and two towers.
The centrepoint of the town is the Plaza Duqeza de Parcent which is dominated by the Igelsia de Santa Maria Mayor which, like many churches in Andlaucia, was originally a 13th century Mosque.
Plaza de Toros
Built in 1785 this is one of the most beautfil bull rings in Spain. It was used for the setting of the film Carmen which is worth a look.
Althought there are only usually three corridas a year, it is the ambition of every bullfighter to perform here. Beneath the ring you will find the Museo de Toros which gives a history of the 'art'. There are some fantastic toredaor outfits, 
tremendously elaboate suits with intricate needlework and you will be amazed to see just how small most of them are. Whatever your attitude to bullfighting, you will find a visit here really useful to understand why it forms such an important part of the culture.
There is a website devoted to the museum and you will find it by clicking here.
Goya painted a number of pictures at the Ronda bullring and every September there is a Pedro Romero festival which celebrates the more austere style of bullfighting pioneered by this father of modern bullfighting at the Ronda ring.
Ronda Restaurants
Parador de Ronda (2877500) - this is the flagship of the Parador chain and offers outstanding local cuisine.
Don Miguel, Plaza de Espana, (2871090) with views overlooking the gorge and with a bar built into the bridge itself.
Bar restaurant Jerez (2872098) located just by the bullring