Spain Trip #44: Help me "Ronda" (a Town in Spain)

Puente Nueva Bridge

In this blog, we'll show you the city of Ronda, which is on the way from Granada to Seville.

Tom at Palacio rey Moro

 Our group took a bus ride from one city to the other, and Ronda was a good stop in the middle. In this blog you'll learn about the town, the history of the city, the famous Puente Nueva Bridge and the Secret Mine! 

Our route to Ronda

WHERE IS RONDA?  Ronda sits in the heart of the Serrania de Ronda, about 100 kilometers from the city of Malaga and with a population of 35,000. It's surrounded by lush river valleys and sitting above a deep ravine, it is a place that literally takes your breath away when seeing it.

Tom at Palacio del Rey Moro y La Mina

HISTORY OF THE CITY - Spainholiday.com said Ronda (Acinipo) was first declared a city by Julius Caesar in 1 A.D. When the Moorish troops under the command of Tarik-ibn-Zeyad invaded the region in 8C, one of the first routes they followed was the old Roman one, linking Gibraltar with the Roman settlement of Acinipo.
  They renamed the town to Izna-Rand-Onda - Ronda. The ruins of Acinipo actually sit 20 kilometers outside of modern-day Ronda.

Michelle Obama visited the Palace

Tom and Rob at Palacio del Rey Moro y La Mina

THE FAMOUS PUENTE NUEVA BRIDGE- This bridge even appears on computers around the world if you have Microsoft Windows... because they use it as a screen saver! This bridge spans the El Tajo gorge. The Puente Nuevo or "the New Bridge," took 42 years to build and was finished in 1793. The bridge joins the old Moorish town and the newer, El Mercadillo parts of the city. It is Ronda’s most famous landmark.

THE SECRET MINE AND IT'S LEGEND - Known as "Palacio del Rey Moro y La Mina" this is the palace of the Moorish King and the Water Mine. 

A wide picture of Ronda over El Tajo gorge

THE LEGEND - Legend has it that this was the residence of the Moorish King, Almonated, who is said to have drank wine from the skulls of his enemies. Although more recent evidence seems to indicate that the King never actually lived in the building. Today’s structure was completed in the 18th century and completely remodeled in 1920 by the Duchess of Parcent. The gardens were designed by the same French architect who designed the Maria Luisa Park in Seville, Jean Claude Forestier.

L to R: Tom, Doug, Bruce, David, Scott, Rob

FAST FACT - Former first lady Michelle Obama visited the Secret Mine and hosted students there! 

The gardens give access to La Mina (the mine), an Islamic staircase of 231 steps which have been careful cut into the rock and lead down the river.

The view from Ronda

ONLY SOURCE OF WATER FOR RONDA - For centuries La Mina was the only source of water into the city, with slaves chained to the steps to pass water bags upwards. This water supply was a lifeline to the Moors during the various Christian sieges. These steps played a vital part in Ronda’s history, it was at this point that Christian troops forced entry in 1485.

NEXT:  KNOCKED IN THE HEAD...