Tom`s travels: Ronda, Spain (07/08/2105)

I had been to Ronda before when I was younger, though I did not remember much of it. So when my aunt and friends proposed to go see this small town located in the north of the resort town we were staying at; Marbella. So once we reached the town of Ronda, about 1 hour drive, we parked the car right outside the city walls and continued on foot. We passed under the Puerta de Almocabar, built during the Arab rule in the 12th century and later modified after the Spanish Reconquista during the reign of Charles V. The first thing we saw was the Iglesia del Espiritu Santo a nice looking church from the 15th century, that also had a bell tower which we climbed to the top; entrance ticket was only 1€, though I had expected it to be free. Next we reached the really pretty Plaza Duquesa de Parcent, with the Palace of the city hall and the really nice church of Santa Maria la Mayor. This church built in the 15th century, stands on top of a previously built Mosque dating from the 12th; traces of it can still be seen inside. Most of the interior however is in the Baroque style, especially around the main altar. Ticket entrance was 4,50€ for adults and 2€ for students. After the visit we walked on and reached the famous and beautiful Puente Nuevo, spanning the Guadalevin river at over a 100m from the bottom of the canyon, to connect both sides of the town. It is called New because it was built after, in the 18th century, the older bridge further up the river built by the Moors. After several photos we went further on and reached the splendid Plaza de Toros, one of the oldest in Spain and probably one of the most beautiful. I decided no to go in since it was one of the things I remembered well seeing the last time I came, and instead decided to look other things around town. So while the others were visiting, I walked to the Alameda del Tajo, a small park with a wonderful view over the canyon and surrounding landscape. From there I went back towards the city center, I passed by the Iglesia Nuestra Senora de la Merced which was unfortunately closed, and entered the Iglesia del Socorro which had a beautiful façade but a more modest interior. I then went back to the Plaza de Toros to pick up the others and head to have lunch. We stopped in a really small but quite good Tapas place and ate several different dishes. After lunch the other were feeling tired and I tried to convince them to visit other things and then head to Zahara de la Sierra a really nice village close by. However they weren't feeling like it so I was able to see only a few more things. Walking back towards the car, we passed by the Iglesia de Padre Jesus which was closed but a beautiful fountain right in fron of it. We then walked across the Puente Viejo, probably a roman bridge first and then later modified by the Arabs. Right below it we entered the Banos Arabes, or Arab Baths, that showed how nearly a thousand years ago, while in Northern Europe people still lived in huts and filth, over here there were public baths available to anyone! Furthermore though not too big, the arches and rooms were very interesting architecturally showing how the Arabs had learnt directly from the Romans. Walking back up into town we passed under the Arco de Felipe V and then further on we saw the beautiful Alminar de San Sebastian which used to be the Minaret of a mosque. We eventually reached the car to go back home in Marbella. I was unfortunately unable to see all the sights I wished to see however this mean I shall come back to this wonderful town again.