Ronda

Ronda is a modern city compared with the small white villages.  The population is around 36,000.  It was first settled by the Celts in the 6th century BC.  Later the Phoenicians settled nearby. The current Ronda is of Roman origins.  It was taken over by the Visigoths until 713 when it fell to the Arabs.  Their domination ended in 1485.

The Guadalevín River runs through the city, dividing it in two and carving out the steep, 300 foot deep El Tajo canyon upon which the city sits.  Three bridges, Puente Romano (Roman Bridge), Puente Viejo (Old Bridge), and Puente Nuevo (New Bridge) span the canyon.  The New Bridge was built 1771-1793 so new is a relative term.  It connects Ronda proper with the old town quarter called La Ciudad.

Ernest Hemingway and  Orson Welles spent many summers in La Ciudad as part time residents.  Both wrote about Ronda's beauty and famous bull fighting traditions.  The bullring is the oldest in Spain, and in fact,  bullfighting in its modern form was "invented" here.  

Ronda is only 40 minutes from Olvera and the drive takes us through breathtaking highland scenery.  It is particularly green right now due to the tremendous amount of rain over the past 2 or 3 months.  Access into town is very easy, there is shopping galore, tons of restaurants, and a busy, upbeat vibe.  We particularly enjoy walking across the Puente Nuevo into La Ciudad and browsing the narrow cobblestone streets.  Very picturesque. 

The following photos are taken from the Puente Nuevo

 Parador de Ronda

We went to Ronda on Thursday.  It was raining and we wanted to get out of the house and thought we might even go to a movie if the rain persisted.  By the time we got there the rain had eased so we nixed the movie idea and strolled around, enjoying being back in Ronda.  With our usual luck, we had a tasty lunch in a charming restaurant we found in the old city, El Campillo Bar and Restaurant.

El Campillo Bar and Restaurant in old city Ronda

Bonnie at our great window table

Pretty display as enter restaurant

Asparagus are in season

After we ate we came upon a street musician playing classical guitar.  We just had to get a CD.  Further along we discovered a really good bakery, Confiteria Daver,  which will require a definite return.  We love a Spanish pastry called "Palmera" and they can be hard to find. They had them, plus an amazing array of other goodies.  The lady who helped us proudly told us that everything in the shop is made on premises by hand.  Good enough for me.

Confiteria Daver

Palmeras are the wonderful butterfly shaped pasteries

On the return home we enjoyed spectacular views as the sun had come out.  We were even able to get photos as we approached Olvera, giving us a perspective we had not yet captured.