Ronda

We drove to Ronda this morning, about forty five minutes south of Olvera.

The primary reason for our visit was to go to the pet shop for "special" treats, not available in Olvera, for our pampered pooch Calcetines.

Ronda is a beautiful town with a great history and many lovely plazas. Here and above is the Plaza del Socorro, a popular area for sitting and watching the world go by at one of its many bars and restaurants.

Looking across the plaza at the Iglesia del Socorro.

A classic Harley Davidson was parked in the square.





After buying our treats, we headed for the "Chocolat" coffee shop on Calle La Bola(Espinel) for a delicious taste experience. Anne chose a hot chocolate while I selected a fragrant cinnamon and lemon tea from Pakistan, one of the huge variety of teas available.






We resisted the hand made chocolates with some difficulty.

Leaving Chocolat, we headed towards the old town, crossing the Puente Nuevo bridge. Here the Plaza de Espana on the "new town" side of the bridge.





Construction of the bridge started in 1751 and took over 40 years to complete.

It's a popular tourist attraction, offering fantastic views of the Tajo gorge and beyond. Here, looking across to the old part of town.

The view through the safety barriers on the bridge.

An ancient arcade just across the bridge.

On a sunny, 27 degree C day, lots of tourists were about.

The Plaza Duquesa de Parcent with the Ayuntamiento building on the left.

A fountain in the shaded centre of the square.

The Iglesia de Santa María la Mayor, originally built in the 14th century as a mosque but converted into a Church after the Christian conquest in 1485. It was destroyed in an earthquake in 1580 and has been rebuilt and added to over several centuries since.

We sat for a while in the Plaza María Auxiliadora listening to the pleasant music of a flamenco guitarist.






































Lovely old cobbled streets.




























This beautiful back lit glazed door took my eye. Makes you wonder what secrets may lie beyond.

One of the many viewpoints along the way. This one on the Paseo de Blas Infante that winds its way along the edge of the Tajo gorge.

The Paseo leads to the Plaza de Toros and Ronda's famous bullring, built in 1785 and reputed to be the oldest in Spain still in use.

A statue in the plaza.


























We finished our wander by walking through the cool and shaded Alameda del Tajo before returning to the car and home.