Ronda is a city in the province of Malaga, only 1 hour and a half away from Seville, by car. This city is particularly famous for being located on top of a gorge, and for being the birthplace of bullfighting. It was founded in the 6th century B.C, under the name Arunda, and very close to it, the Phoenicians created another town called Acinipo, which became a Roman city in the 3rd century B.C. It is an archeological site now, and you can also visit. During this period, is when the vineyard and wine tradition started in the region, and has lasted until now, producing high quality wine.
During the Middle Ages, Ronda was under the rule of the Muslim kings, becoming an independent Kingdom (known as the Taifa of Ronda), during this period most of the historical heritage buildings you can find now in the city center, were created. Later, in the 11th century a.D, it became part of the Taifa of Seville, and eventually part of the Kingdom of Granada. The city was ultimately conquered by the Catholic King Ferdinand in the year 1485.
It's in the 16th century, when the Real Maestranza de Ronda (Bullring), was created as a way to train soldiers. And that's how the bullfighting tradition was born in Ronda, and later spread to the rest of the country. In the city you will see many monuments to the bullfighters, as well as the actual museum of the Bullring. Don't be surprised if you see pictures of Hemingway there, as he was a huge fan of bullfighting and lover of Ronda.
If you are a fan of wine, art, literature, architecture, and even bulls, you must visit this wonderful town, in the heart of the mountain range. It is also a cooler option, if you are visiting Seville in the summer. Don't forget, that visiting a new place becomes a richer experience if you learn about its culture and history, so we recommend using this wonderful and complete audio tour of Ronda, created by our colleague and local guide, Clive Muir. Using an audio guide, gives you more free time for yourself when visiting the city.
If you want to learn more about this town and the White Villages, or other activities you can do in the mountains, don't hesitate to contact us!
