Day 75: Ronda, Spain

The Costa del Sol didn't have much sol so we decided to have breakfast and move along to our next destination rather than hang around the beach. So long to the Mediterranean for now. We drove a couple of hours to the town of Ronda.

Ronda has Celtic, Roman, and Moorish history until the late 1400's when Catholic Spain took possession of the town in during the Reconquista. Unique geographically due to the city being in a mountainous area with a river that has cut a deep canyon dividing the city in two, with bridges spanning the canyon connecting the two sections. The highest bridge (Puente Nuevo) is nearly 400 feet above the canyon floor.


(The chamber beneath the bridge was used as a prison. Apparently during the civil war (1930's) prisoners were tortured here and even thrown to their deaths into the canyon below. You can now take a tour of the chambers)

After checking in and getting a quick lunch we sat around the pool since the weather was absolutely perfect today, then we took a walk through the small town. Equipped with a map detailing the local sights we took to the street with the rest of the tourists.


(Main gateway with the Iglesia del Espiritu Santo in the background)


(The Iglesia de Santa Maria la Mayor in the beautiful Plaza Duquesa de Parcent)


(View of our hotel from the other side of the canyon. It is the building with the various archways on the ground floor)


(The Minaret de San Sebastian. The first two floors are of Moorish design with a belfry built on top)


(Ilana in front of the Puerta de Felipe V. One of the side gates leading up to the city.)


(View from the hotel grounds)


(View of the other side of the canyon from the hotel)


(Me messing with the b&w option on my camera)


(Post dinner drinks overlooking the canyon)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ronda

FJ

PS: For those 7 people who sent us votes for the rose contest I want to thank you for settling our 'discussion'. My photo #2 won by a margin of 1 vote! Thanks!