Ronda is another beautiful place so close to where we live in Andalusia, it takes just over an hour to get there from the Costa-del-Sol. If you are looking for somewhere to take a day trip, this is the perfect place! So here are 4 reasons you need to visit Ronda.
1. SEE THE FAMOUS ‘PUENTE NEUVO’ BRIDGE
It’s not just any bridge… this bridge is a work of art! It is one of Spains most photographed icons and I can see why. We hiked down the steps and eventually made it to this spectacular viewpoint so we could see the bridge in all its glory. It was a great walk for Indi and there were lots of places where he could drink from the aquaduct which is carved into the rocks.
Above the main arch there is a small room which is now a museum that you can visit. In the 19th century the room was used as a prison for bandits and dangerous criminals. Then during the Spanish Civil War it was used for polictial prisoners and there are rumours that some of the prisoners where thrown to their deaths from the bridge!
2. APPRECIATE THE TOWNS IMPOSSIBLE LOCATION
A town situated on cliff edges split in two by a giant gorge. Seems like a crazy place to start a settlement, but back in the day it served its purpose as a great defensive system against enemy invaders. Tajo Gorge which was formed over many many years by the river ‘Río Guadalevín’ creating a drop of around 100 metres. The first attempt at bridging the gap failed when it collapsed killing 50 people!
3. DISCOVER RONDAS INTERESTING HISTORY
Ronda is one of Spains oldest towns and was taken by the Romans around 400AD, although it was probably founded a long time before that by the Celts or Iberians. Since the Romans the town has also belonged to the Arabs and Visigoths so there is a real mixture of acient ruins and even Arabic baths.
4. EAT SOME DELICOUS FOOD WITH AN AWESOME VIEW
There are many restaurants overlooking the gorge where you can eat with a spectacular view. I used my trusty Happy Cow app to find a place serving plant-based food and was pleased to find a cute Italian place that had a few great options. The name of the place is Il Forno A Legna for my fellow vegan travellers.
Have you ever been to Ronda? Let me know in the comments below x
The Indi Blog 