
The most obvious, and awe-inspiring thing to do is step onto the ancient Puente Nuevo (New Bridge) just outside the Parador Ronda front door, and gaze out over the El Tajo gorge and the 390 foot drop down to the Guadalevin River below. This is one of the most photogenic locations in all of Spain, and the visitor will at once know why Ronda has been called the “Eagle’s Nest” for several centuries.
This gorge cuts the city right down the middle. The so-called “old city” – the Moorish quarter – is on the south one side of the gorge, and the newer city on the north. The El Tajo gorge is very narrow – only 223 feet wide at its widest point – and the river below is fed by snow-melt form the surrounding high mountains. If you look carefully, you might see the ruins far below of the old grain mills that once used the river for power. The last one closed in 1917 after being decimated by a rock slide.
Most visitors will want to snap a few (or a few dozen!) photos of the gorge. There are a few good spots for this . . .
– There is the bridge itself which is set up so pedestrians can walk on either side and has a few alcoves for lingering to enjoy the view and taking pictures.
– There is the Parador Ronda itself. On the gorge side of the Parador grounds there are a couple if good spots for gorge photos.
– On the Moorish (south) side of the bridge – walk around to the Santo Domingo church and access the viewing platform.
– For the more adventurous – wander the side streets of the Moorish quarter always bearing towards the gorge and you might discover a couple of the “secret” photo locations. The same is true of the “new” city – wander east of the Parador and take streets that take you over near the gorge. You’ll discover the points others have used to get those special pics of this natural wonder (Hints . . . find the Cuenca Gardens, and the House of Don Bosco).
– You can also go down into the gorge from Plaza Maria and head to the Albacara Gate.
One of the most fascinating sites in the city is the “water mine.” From the Casa del Rey Moro (the Moorish King’s House), there are damp, winding stairs (231 of them) carved all the way down the gorge cliffs to the river – from which the Moorish inhabitants of old drew the water for the city.
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