The streets of Ronda are narrow and tight so our coach dropped us off at the local bus station. It wasn’t far just a 10 minute walk. Some of our group went shopping, Sarah, Peter, Muriel and I found a small restaurant to have some lunch. My stomach was playing up so I wanted something a bit bland.
Lunch was spanish omelette and some chips of course we all had wine. Wine fixes anything, yes?
Our tour started at the Ronda Arena (in Spanish, Plaza de Toros de Ronda), one of the oldest arena in Spain. Ronda is known to be the birthplace of bullfighting. Our guide we found out later was an old bull fighter. He was very passionate about the bullfighting. He couldn’t comprehend why we were all against it. Animal cruelty. He said sometimes the bulls are sent to the animal hospital and knows that eventually it may be banned in Spain. Not in his lifetime though.
The Bullfighters had a chapel that they used before a fight.
The Bullring was built in 1785, and can have 5,000 people sitting in the stands. There is also a museum which we were lucky to visit. The museum showed the history of bullfighting. Also displayed the colorful costumes of the matadors and the women – yes over the centuries there have been women matadors.
The beautiful costumes
After looking at all the museum had to offer we wandered out onto the ground of the bullring. It felt strange standing on the very ground where blood was spilled.
Ronda Bullring Spain
I used an excuse to use the bathroom/toilet to leave the ground. I waited for the others at the exit. We would be doing a walking tour through Ronda with our guide.
The bullring may have made me feel sick but the rest of Ronda took my breath away.
What a beautiful stunning town.
Nothing I had read before arriving in Ronda could prepare me for what we were going to see.
Puente Nuevo – The New Bridge
Ronda’s ‘new bridge’ was completed in 1793, taking 40 years to build. However 50 builders lost their lives in the construction of the span over the Tajo Gorge. The bridge divides Ronda from the new town – Mercadillo – little market and old – La Ciudad.
The vantage points were crowded and we had to jostle to get “that photo”.
Our guide took our group over the bridge allowing us to take a few more photos. Next stop would be the Casa Con Bosco.
A beautiful home with original furniture from yesteryear but what blew our minds was the courtyard. Stunning views of the Puente Nuevo and the valleys below. After the crowds clamoring for that view, it was just our group.
The Puente Nuevo – The New Bridge – taken from the courtyard of the Casa Don Bosco
The views of the valley below from the courtyard of the Casa Don Bosco
Unfortunately we had to leave this bit of paradise and back out to the crowds. Thats ok as we were part of that crowd, all clamoring to look at such a beautiful town.
Puerto Viejo or Puente Arab – The old bridge but not the oldest.
The Puerto Viejo is the old bridge but not the oldest and is often called Puente Arab but it isn’t Arab.
Our walking tour was over and we had about 20 minutes before we were to walk back to our coach.
Muriel and I wandered past the Bullring to the park behind to see more of the valley below. At the start of the park were two sculptures one for Orson Wells and the other for Ernest Hemingway.
Ernest Hemingway
Ernest Hemingway and Orson Wells were both bullfighting “fans”. They both spent many summers in Ronda and wrote about its beauty and traditions. Orson Welles ashes are buried at the Ronda property of bullfighter Antionia Ordonez.
Orson Wells
The view of the cliffs and the valley below.
I would recommend spending at least a couple of days in Ronda Spain. Our time in Ronda was over and our next stop would be Granada.
To learn a bit more of the history of Ronda check this link out : History of Ronda
Travel and Lifestyle with Bree 
Wow Bree, those photos of the town seemingly tottering on the edge of the cliffs are amazing! Such a beautiful place and so full of history! I love that the new bridge was built in 1793! Have pinned for #mlstl
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I know “new” as in 1793 lol. Its such an amazing place to visit. Thank you so much x
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What a beautiful town – and that bridge is amazing! So sad about the lives lost in its construction though. I couldn’t believe the drop from the top to the bottom of the gorge – amazing! Spain is such an interesting country isn’t it?
Thanks for linking up with us at MLSTL and I’ve shared on my SM 😊
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Hi 3 Sisters, Your initial photo is a huge WOW! Until you mentioned it, I forgot how narrow some European streets are and no room for a bus. Yes, wine fixes all.
The chapel before a fight speaks volumes. First time I have heard of this. All of your photos are wonderful when depicting this “paradise.” Spain has always been on our travel list and we hope to go one day. A great post! Thank you. #MLSTL and shared SM
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We loved Ronda, and it looks like you all had a fabulous time. Remarkable how time hasn’t eroded those buildings!! We were housesitting and had Fudge the dog with us, or we would’ve loved to have stayed there. MSTL
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Oh it looks lovely but did you ever feel as if you were teetering on the edge? I think I’d love the outlook / view / height… until I looked down!
I’ve never been to Spain but if I get to return to Portugal I’d definitely make the trip!
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Your post back memories back for me of when I walked the Camino de Santiago in Spain. I was there in bull fighting season. Like you I was sickened by it, but loved Spain and the people. Your photos are beautiful. #MLSTL
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What a lovely town and incredible view! I had Rhonda on my list but ran out of time when I visited Spain. Thank you for your story and photos. Look forward to Granada. #MLSTL
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Thank you so much.
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I so enjoyed reading this, thank you. Brought back happy memories of visiting when I went motorhoming across Europe a few years ago.
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That would have been great motor homing. Thank you x
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Wow talk about walking out to your balcony to have a morning coffee! What a crazy view! Looks and sounds like a quaint little town!
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Those views must have been spectacular but what amazes me is how they built those towns and structures.
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I’ve wanted to visit Ronda for years, it looks stunning! I know what you mean about the bullring too, I did a tour of one in Seville and it’s strange to tour somewhere like that knowing blood has been shed there.
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I do hope you get to Ronda one day. The views are stunning. It’s definitely a strange feeling Re the bullrings. Thank you for stopping by.
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Ronda was fun as was Granada
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I didn’t know that there were also female matadors! Lovely pictures.
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Me either so progressive back then.
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That was lovely, you were so close to me down here on the costa Del sol❤️ I heard from a bullfighter that they only fight the bulls that are ready to die anyway, they think the bull will feel honoured to die a hero’s death🥰thanks for the lovely tour❤️
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Interesting town
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