Flamenco music traces its roots back to ancient Andalusian history, potentially predating even the Moorish settlements. Many experts believe it to be a rich blend of Iberian, Arabic, Sephardic, and Gitano musical traditions, which flourished particularly after the reconquest of 1492 and continued to evolve over the following centuries.
Over the past millennium, Flamenco has expanded beyond Andalusia to encompass the rest of Spain and former Spanish territories in both Central and South America.
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Ronda Guitar House is located on Calle Virgen de los Remedios 23, a few meters from Calle Carrera Espinel just 2 minutes from the Puente Nuevo. This is a unique space dedicated to Spanish music and in particular the Spanish guitar.
Since the inception of the Corrida Goyesca in Ronda’s September fair in 1954, the Damas Goyesca of Ronda have been the official representatives of the city, and welcoming committee for visiting dignitaries.
The role is exceptionally demanding, not only from the level of responsibility, but also from the long schedule of training, and gown fittings before the build up to the week’s festivities.
Every year a president of the Damas Goyesca is chosen, usually she is a woman well respected in Ronda, someone who has earned the affection of the people of Ronda, and who is held up as a model of womanhood for others to emulate.
At the same time, fourteen younger Rondeñas are picked to support the president in her duties, typically the younger Damas Goyesca will be in their teens, and of course chosen for their beauty, as well as their grace.
Why the “Goyesca” Ladies?
Every year in Ronda several of the town’s ladies are chosen to be the Damas Goyescas, and represent the ladies seen in some of Francisco de Goya’s paintings of bullfighting and pageantry from the late 18th century. Many of Goya’s paintings were in fact commissioned by a tapestry workshop in Madrid, the aim being to print the paintings on fabric.
Take a look at this 1973 documentary about the life and work of Francisco de Goya
When Goya painted his portraits of nobility, the fashion of the day was for colourful fabrics, and matching accessories such as shoes, fans, hairpieces etc. The gowns worn by Ronda’s Dames Goyesca are not exact copies of those seen in Goya’s paintings, instead they are designed to reflect the matador designs seen in Goya’s paintings of Pedro Romero, so can be said to be complimentary rather than historically correct.
Some art historians argue Goya’s paintings of the Duchess of Alba are the inspiration for the gowns worn by the Damas Goyesca, and to a lesser extent this might be true, in that many of the simpler gowns worn by the ladies are very reminiscent. The more complex designs however have been developed in the 20th century in response to perceived fashions of the 18th century, and as such are even more stunning and beautiful than they would have been.
Each outfit can cost many thousands of Euros, everything is custom made to suit the lady, right down to handmade shoes and lace shawls. In addition, each Goyesca lady usually has another gown for less formal occasions, and perhaps a third for specific medal ceremonies.
For quite a few years now, the A4 printable guide has been selling steadily directly from Ronda Today and I have received many hundreds of emails from visitors, who have discovered the very best of a visit to Ronda, using the indepth information made up from the top 20 articles published here at Ronda Today.
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The VoiceMap GPS Audio Guide for Ronda
And now we are extremely happy to publish the VoiceMap GPS Audio Guide for Ronda. You can still buy the Ronda printable guide and city map. Just scroll down this page a bit.
For quite a few years now, the A4 printable guide has been downloading steadily directly from Ronda Today and I have received many hundreds of emails from visitors, who have discovered the very best of a visit to Ronda, using the indepth information made up from the top 20 articles published here at Ronda Today.
But what better way to improve the guide? An audio guide of course!
The VoiceMap GPS Audio Guide for Ronda
Listening to me along the way (and also some captivating guitar music from the amazing Paco Seco), you’ll pass breathtaking lookout points including the Mirador de Ronda and the Mirador de Aldehuela.
Take a trip on the Wildside! Discover the wildlife and nature of Spain, its Natural and National Parks and find the top wildlife, activity and walking holiday companies.
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It would appear that Celia Morales no longer holds concerts at her venue in Ronda. Though she does sometimes play concerts at the Reina Victoria Hotel.
No trip to Ronda would be complete without hearing at least a small amount of Flamenco guitar. But to visit one of Celias concerts is an absolute treat. She is one of the most talented flamenco guitarist I have ever heard and she can be seen playing regularily in various venyes in Ronda. See her website and facebook page for upcoming concerts. Celia Morales – a truly talented Flamenco guitarist in Ronda
At 15 euros per person, the entrance fee is amazingly cheap to see this wonderful composer and musician. You can go to her website and hear some of her work as the music starts to load as you open the home page. Check out the below video to see here in action. Truly talented.
Take a trip on the Wildside! Discover the wildlife and nature of Spain, its Natural and National Parks and find the top wildlife, activity and walking holiday companies.
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The Ronda style of bullfighting is rumored to have originated by accident in Ronda’s Philip II’s Centre for Horsemanship when a gentleman training on horse was unseated in the path of a bull they used to train officers in horsemanship.
A local man, Francisco Romero distracted the bull on foot using his hat, thus securing both the life of the aristocrat, and inventing a new form of bullfighting perfected by his grandson, Pedro Romero (1754-1839).