Accesible sites and venues in the romantic city Rilke fell in love with.

Ronda is located at the most northwest side of the province of Malaga (Andalusia-Spain) surrounded by mountains.

The Arab Age has to be considered as the most important and because of its importance and its cultural legacy, still alive at the common life (town planning, gastronomy, traditions, farming systems, etc.). Ronda appears to be as one of the leading cities, arriving to the category of main city of one of the Kuras (Provinces) of Al-Andalus (the province of Ronda was named of Takurunna). Ronda even achieved to be independent as an independent Kingdom (called at that age the Taifas Kingdom) after the fall of the Cordoba Kingdom.
The 18th century, and the arrival of the Modern age, will be for Ronda the time when it will get its definitive role inside the land of Andalusia. At that time, the most relevant and known monuments of the city where built, as signs of the former aristocracy and the present Ronda: The New Bridge and the Bullring. Since then and during the 19th century, the romantic image of the city grows, as well as the legend of its Serrania (mountains), generating the world of the bandits and the art of bullfighting a deep impression between lots of important travellers.

Ronda's bullring, due to its history and architecture, to its character and beauty, is recognized as one of the oldest of Spain, and also as one the most monumental existing bullrings. It opened its doors to the public in 1785. The bullfighting arena has got 66 metres of diameter, and is surrounded by one lane formed by two stone rings. The sectors for the spectators have got five rows of stands, at two stages, with 136 columns forming 68 arches of Tuscany columns, except the ones belonging to the Royal box. Covered with a two sided arab bricks roof, the elegance of the bullring's inside cannot be compared to any other place for this purposes in Spain. It was Antonio Ordóñez who, in 1954, founded the world known goyesca bullfight, where the decoration and the clothing of bullfighters and spectators brings us to the age of the famous painter Goya. The Bullfighting Museum is located at the Brullring's premises. It offers, in an easy and clear way, information about the Institution of the Royal Cavalry Order of Ronda, its influence at the development and evolution of the art of bullfighting. There's an alternative entrance for wheelchair users and the guided visit both to the bullring (just ground floor) and the museum is barrier free and there's an adapted toilet in the horses' courtyard.

The church of Santa María La Mayor is one of the most important sacred monuments of Ronda. The church of the Virgin Mary of the Incarnation is said to have been located near the rests of a paleochristian basilica from the 14th century A.D and, later on, at the same place, was built the main mosque of the Medina. From that age there is only left nowadays the arch of Mirhab and part of its wall, with vegetal Arabic plaster decoration, hidden just because it is located behind the tabernacle's altar. Visitors with reduced mobility/wheelchair users should request by phone the movable ramp to be installed in one of the side doors. (at least 24 hour notice)

The Bandolero's Museum is the only one in Spain concerning this subject (the bandoleros or bandits). It shows the history of this social phenomenon. The museum develops one true look through the documents, pictures, personal details and events happened to all the bandits who live at the Serrania de Ronda. The museum consists of four galleries and features a tavern and also an audiovisual work about Bandits. The entrance is accessibl e by means of a ramp and the inside tour is barrier-free. A leaflet printed in Braille is available too. Located in the very same street is the accessible Museo Lara (there's an adapted toilet) where live flamenco show's are performed.

Peinado's Museum is located at the Palace of Moctezuma, at the Giant's square, inside the historic city quarter. The palace where the museum is located was built at the end ot the 19th century, with an eclectic style. Remarkable places of the palace are the two courtyards inside it. Joaquín Peinado was born in Ronda 1898. He was a follower of Cèzanne and considered to be a spiritual son of Picasso, being the most elegant painters of the known as the "Spanish school" of Paris. The Museum has a little step (less than 3cm high) at the main entrance, but the rest of the premises are accessible by means of ramps and one lift: there's an adapted toilet. Also in this square is the Giant's House, a high class building, dated between the 14th and 15th century, similar to the buildings of the same age found at Magreb (North Africa) and Granada. It is considered to be one mini palace and one of the best conserved buildings of the Nazari architecture. Only the ground floor is accessible (free admission for the disabled).

Rebecca Arce

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