Costa del Sol Towns

Rhonda

Ronda is a city belonging to the autonomous community of Andalusia, situated in the northwestern province of Malaga. It is head of the judicial district and the namesake of the district capital of the Serrania de Ronda.

In 2008 it had 36,532 inhabitants, making it the second most populous town in the interior of the province after Antequera. The township lies on a plateau known as the depression Ronda and the surrounding mountain ranges. It has an area of 481 kmē and a population density of 75.95 inhabitants per kmē.

Ronda originated from the Roman Arunda and Iberian settlements. The Visigoths gave continuity to the arrival of the Muslims, who consolidated their role as regional head and has not been lost so far and its urban entity.

Its location provided the defense of the city and was placed in a strategic position to master the steps and paths down toward Andalusia. This and the availability of land suitable for agriculture finally granted it a significant historical importance.

The city is built around a deep pit at the looming buildings of its historic center. For this reason, and because of the number of monuments it has, Ronda has become a significant tourist center. The cornice of the pit and the bridge that saves it is the image par excellence of the city.

The city sits on a rocky plateau at 739 m above sea level and is divided in two by a cannon known as the Tajo de Ronda, which runs the river Guadalevin tributary of the river Guadiaro.

 

It also runs over the Valley of the Mills. East of the city is the natural park of Sierra de las Nieves; south of the city, Genal Valley; west is Sierra Grazalema; and northern lands flat run in the direction of Campillos.

Ronda communicates with neighboring counties through a network of roads of high landscape value, as they cross many mountain passes of the Highlands to offer passengers unique views. Transport by rail is made quickly since the launch of the Talgo trains that connect with Ronda and Algeciras Madrid.

The current Ronda is devoted mainly to cultural and rural tourism. They do take some part in the food and furniture industries, and there is a large number of small shops and restaurants designed to satisfy the demands of tourists who come each day on excursions from Costa del Sol.

Ronda has now become one of the most visited Andalusia, thanks to its great heritage. Another additive of interest in recent years is the introduction of several wineries in Ronda.