travel hacks

Ronda’s spectacular location atop El Tajo gorge and its status as the largest of Andalucía’s Pueblos Blancos have made it hugely popular with tourists. Modern bullfighting was practically invented here in the late 18th century.Due to the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions during my visit, access to sites and locations were limited, had altered opening hours or closed. Also, taking in Ronda in only one day may put limits to what is feasable.Watch my other videos from Spain: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjply4VDAlSI7gCyRHuBc0KAzFPMLnVodRonda is set in and around a deep gorge spanned by an impressive bridge, which brings in many day-trippers from the Costa del Sol and other places to admire the view. However, Ronda is also a remarkably pretty town with beautiful architecture from the islamic period up to the 19th century, romantic winding streets with white-washed houses, some interesting museums, and lots of good places to eat and drink. It is also a good base to explore the surrounding area, where you will find beautiful mountains and many of the iconic Pueblos Blancos of Andalusia.The most conspicuous feature of Ronda is its location on a big sandstone hill that is cut in two by the El Tajo gorge, in which the Guadalevín rivers runs some 120 m below. The views of the gorge and the surrounding countryside are breathtaking, and worth the visit in itself.Ronda was already settled in the 6th century BC by the Celtiberians, who called it Arunda. Phoenician settlers later established themselves in Acinipo, also known as Old Ronda, some 20 km to the north-west (watch my video from Acinipo). The current town has Roman origins, and was originally built as a fortification in the Second Punic War (218-201 BC). It was elevated to city status in the time of Julius Caesar. After the collapse of the Roman Empire, Ronda was first occupied by the Suebi and later by the Visigoths, who ruled until the Arab invasion of 713 AD. The Moors renamed it to Hisn Ar-Rundah (Castle of Rundah). The city at that time more or less occupied the current old town centre, to the south of the gorge.Ronda was one of the last outposts of islamic rule in Andalusia, and was only conquered in 1485 by the Spanish, who then gradually drove out the remaining muslim population. In the 17th and 18th century, Ronda expanded north across the gorge into the new town (El Mercadillo), and the Puente Nuevo was finished in 1793 to connect both parts.In the 19th century Ronda was first home to numerous guerrilla warriors fighting the troops of Napoleon, and later to bandits. In this period, it also became a favourite destination for English, French and American travellers, who described it as one of the most romantic places in the world. Some of this fame has stuck to Ronda ever since.During the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939), Ronda was the site of much fighting, and became infamous because of the revenge taken by Republican partisans on some 500 Falangist supporters, who were thrown into the gorge from a house on the cliffside. But like almost everything in the Spanish Civil War, the truth of this matter is disputed. This war crime is supposed to have inspired a famous scene in Ernest Hemingway’s novel For Whom The Bell Tolls (1940).Ronda is also supposed to be the birthplace of the Spanish bullfighting tradition, and boasts the oldest bullring in Spain, built in 1785.Information about Ronda:https://www.andalucia.org/es/rondahttps://www.visitacostadelsol.com/convention-bureau/que-hacer/museo-real-maestranza-ronda-p59041https://www.andalucia.org/es/ronda-visitas-museo-municipal-de-ronda-palacio-de-mondragonhttps://www.jeandar.netMusic: Jean Dar – Morning MistAlbum: Tears of Joyhttps://www.jeandar.com