Carved into the cliffs of the ‘El Tajo’ gorge is a surprising mine and fortress that dates back to the Moorish era when constant wars in Al-Andalus required the city governors to protect water supplies to the people and defenders of the city. Ronda’s Water Mine under the Casa del Rey Moro was built during the reign of Ronda’s King Abomelic at the beginning of the 14th century, when Ronda was an independent Islamic kingdom on the frontline between the Christian north, and the newly developing Islamic Nazari Kingdom in Granada.
To reach the water mine it is necessary to first enter the gardens of the House of the Moorish King but before you do that I’ll tell you a little bit about it.
One of the few cities in the world to be naturally split into two halves. The city of Ronda has the Puente Nuevo and El Tajo Gorge! The gorge also served as the most formidable defence Ronda’s enemies have ever tried to attack. Known as “El Tajo”, the gorge was created by constant erosion of the river Guadalevín.
A few kilometres from Ronda, just outside the white village of Benaojan lies one of the most spectacular cave systems in Spain, Pileta Paleolithic Cave Paintings at Benaojan and in the mouth of one, several galleries of cave paintings that are as old as 30,000 years, and were created by paleolithic people of Ronda before the last great ice age. Best of all, the caves are open to the public with a local tour guide to explain the significance of the artwork.
The Plaza de Toros (bullring) in Ronda occupies a very special place in modern Spanish culture and history as the home of the Rondeño style of bullfighting and also of the Real Maestranza De Caballería De Ronda. The bullring was built entirely of stone in the 18th century, during the golden years of Pedro Romero’s reign as a champion bullfighter.
The Mondragón Palace in Ronda is one of the towns most visited buildings, not only because it houses the Municipal Museum, but also for it’s Moorish courtyards, gardens and stunning views of the Sierra de Grazalema. the building evokes memories of kings, queens and governors who ruled and called Ronda their home.
Some History.
The palace was the home of the Moorish King Abomelic I (also known as Abomelic Abd al-Malik, and in some history books as Abbel Mallek), who reigned all too briefly yet who initiated a golden age in the city and implemented some large construction projects. It is likely the palace already existed when Abomelic first arrived in Andalusia, with most experts seeming to agree the years 1306-1314 as likely dates of construction.
