The town of Ronda is Andalusia in southern Spain stubbornly clings to the top of a hill with cliffs providing natural protection for the town. Because of its natural defenses Ronda did not fall to the re-conquest until 1485. Ronda sits on both sides of a steep ravine (El Tajo de Ronda) containing the Grande River. Ronda is a beautiful small town and we stayed in the old city hall which is right next to the ravine and is now a Parador (Hotel Ronda – Parador de Ronda) which is one of a series of hotels run by the Spanish government.
The first picture shows the view from our hotel room out over the ravine to the other side of town. The second picture shows the ravine and in the distance on the right is the parador. The tall arched bridge in this picture was built in 1761.
Ronda is also the home of bullfighting and the bull ring is next to the parador.
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Caitlin
Says:May 15th, 2009 at 8:32 am
I was in Ronda last October – I love the White Towns in Andalucia. So pretty! Hard to drive through the streets though.
Beth Whitman
Says:May 15th, 2009 at 8:38 am
Really lovely, Chris. I haven’t been to Spain yet but really want to go – I had no idea how beautiful it is.
Charles McCool
Says:May 15th, 2009 at 10:06 am
Ronda and the surrounding towns are wonderful. I will have to dig out my pictures. I remember hiking into the ravine. Ahh, memories. Thank you.
Tim
Says:May 15th, 2009 at 10:31 am
We had a grea time in Spain, though we werer up in the North (Basque Country). Hope to get back and check out the rest of the country. Beautiful shots>
Amy @ The Q Family
Says:May 15th, 2009 at 10:38 am
Whoa.. The sight of the bridge is amazing. I couldn’t imagine how hard it would be to build that bridge hundreds of years ago. Beautiful picture that capture it very well. Thanks for sharing.
Lorraine
Says:May 15th, 2009 at 11:25 am
OK, so my stomach literally dropped when I scrolled down to the second picture. Well captured!
Liz (your daughter)
Says:May 15th, 2009 at 12:32 pm
This is the only town in Spain that I actually remember really enjoying. So pretty.
marina
Says:May 15th, 2009 at 1:07 pm
Stubbornly or not, I’d want my city to cling to those cliffs too!!! What a site and what an amazing place to visit and probably even more amazing to live!
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chris2x
Says:May 15th, 2009 at 2:11 pm
I remember you enjoying Barcelona and Segovia also
heatheronhertravels
Says:May 17th, 2009 at 3:14 am
That bridge is a feat of engineering. I hope you didn’t feel tempted to jump.
I love Spain – plotting ways to spend more time there.
Dominique
Says:May 17th, 2009 at 2:13 pm
I’m a real bridge fan, so I especially enjoyed the second photo. I don’t think I’ve seen anything remotely resembling that!
discount european hotel
Says:May 19th, 2009 at 11:28 pm
lovely town of spain, the both photos are showing its beauty.
spanish tricks
Says:June 17th, 2009 at 9:08 pm
Wow! Ronda is so beautiful. It’s quite the ideal place to come.