Ronda, the City of Castles
Andalusia Tour ~ Malaga (Region)
The town of Malaga is divided by the Tajo del Ronda gorge, which is over 100 meters deep. Its historic district has been declared a cultural site. The land has been inhabited by Celts, Phoenicians, Romans, and Arabs, and was later reconquered by the Catholic Monarchs.
The old town, with its Arab architectural style and medieval layout, is located south of the Guadalevín River, while the more modern Ronda area, which began to develop in the 16th century, extends north of the riverbed. Various bridges connect these two parts of one of the most interesting towns on the White Villages Route, located in the heart of the Ronda Mountains, just a few kilometers from the Costa del Sol.
This so-called 'City of Castles' stands on a natural lookout, with a castle guarding its most accessible part. Its walls and the most important gates to the city are still preserved. The Almocábar Gate (13th century) is the entrance from the southern end of the city, the Gate of Charles I dates back to the 16th century, and the Exijara Gate leads to the Jewish Quarter.