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| Inland from the sea resorts of the Costa del Sol, there
is some of the most breathtaking scenery amidst the range
of Serrania de Ronda mountains. This spectacular country region
has become increasingly popular with those looking to have
a country home and yet still be close to the amenities of
the Costa del Sol. The villages and towns of this area have
a long history some dating back to the Romans and although
now much is changed the area still possesses a great deal
of charm and appeal. The whole region has spectacular views
of wild scenery and surrounding mountains. Most houses are
located in or close to the towns and villages which still
retain their Andalucian friendliness and charm. The area is
well located for all the major Cities in Western Andalucia
including, Granada, Seville, Cordoba and Malaga. Amenities
in the region are good with many fine restaurants. This region
will suit those looking to live in a region of real Spain
and still be close enough to the amenities and beaches of
the Costa del Sol. |
| Click on a name in the list below to read about that town
or scroll down to browse through the towns and villages of
the Ronda Region.. |
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Ronda. Heading inland from the
sea resorts of the Costa del Sol, there is the most
spectacular scenery and rising amidst the range of dark
angular Serrania de Ronda mountains lies the historically
breathtaking town of Ronda perched above a sheer drop
of 130 metre deep gorge cut by the Guadalèvin
tajo (ravine). Ronda attracted not only the early Celts,
but also the Phoenicians and Greeks; under the Romans
it became an important military bastion known as Arunda
Laus (the glorious). Under the Moors, Medina Runda became
the provincial capital of the Tarakuna district; it
was embellished with decorative mosques and palaces
and remained an independent Moorish kingdom until 1485
when it was taken by Ferdinand and Isabel. The Maestranza
(an order of knights) were "born" here, they
laid down the rules for early bullfighting on horseback.
The actual town divides into three parts: the Mercadillo
quarter on the northwest side, across the bridge lies
the old Moorish town, the Cuidad and its suburb San
Francisco. From the 13th Century Puente Nuevo, the view
down the limestone walls into the tajo is not to be
missed. Martin de Aldehuela, the architect of the bridge,
allegedly fell to his death from his finished work whilst
inspecting it, clutching his hat in the wind! |
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Ojen, its municipal area lies
between the Sierra Alpujata and the Sierra Blanca (behind
Marbella). Its highlight being El Juanar Valley, an
area of immense natural beauty. The village itself,
surrounded by orchards, still retains its original Arabic
layout, with houses built on different levels to accommodate
the mountainside on which they stand. Ojen village is
considered to be one of the most beautiful in the province.
Relics of its past include the remains of Solis Castle
and the Mudejar style Our Lady's Church. |
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Istan, its urban design bears
witness to its Andalusi past: steep, narrow streets
of whitewashed houses with Arabic roof tiling, particularly
in the upper district of the village, where part of
a tower from the walls of the mediaeval castle still
stands. The municipal area is part of Sierra de Las
Nieves Natural Park, declared a Biosphere Reserve by
Unesco. |
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Monda lies in the foothills of
the Sierra de las Nieves, its municipal area forming
part of the natural park of the same name, and retains
the hallmark of its Arabic past in the shape of its
steep, narrow streets lined with whitewashed houses
standing in the shadow of the castle, built on the ruins
of the former Arabic fortress and rehabilitated for
tourist purposes. |
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Tolox, Its urban design is a throwback
to its Andalusi past, consisting of steep, narrow streets
of whitewashed houses topped with Arabic roof tiling,
particularly in a section of the upper district of the
village known as La Rinconada del Castillo. Another
interesting fact about Tolox is the presence of what
are known as "bitter waters", which have been
used for therapeutic purposes since ancient times. In
1867, Fuente Amargosa Spa was built, and, shortly after,
its waters were declared to be for public usage. The
spa, which stands just a short distance from the village,
enjoys an attractive natural backdrop in the Sierra
de Tolox, part of Sierra de Las Nieves Natural Park,
which has been declared a Biosphere Reserve by Unesco.
This area of immense ecological importance is home to
the highest peak in the province of Malaga, La Torrecilla
(1,919 metres). |
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Yunquera retains the hallmark
of its Arabic past in its steep, narrow streets of whitewashed
houses with roofs which sometimes open to reveal small
terraces. However, the best testimony to its Andalusi
- Arabic origins is the Mozarabic chapel which stands
some 500 metres from the village. Other points of interest
are Our Lady's Chapel and the tower at Las Abejas Pass.
In the Sierra de las Nieves Natural Park, there are
locations which afford excellent panoramic views such
as Hoyo de las Colmenas, La Caina Gorge and La Fuente
de la Perdiz. |
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El Burgo. Of the mediaeval castle
which gave rise to the village, only a few sections
of wall remain, now interwoven with the houses of El
Burgo's upper district. Standing within what must once
have been the castle grounds is Our Lady's Parish Church.
A number of places of particular interest can be found
just outside the village: a vantage point which is home
to the game wardens' monument stands on the road from
El Burgo to Ronda, offering magnificent panoramic views
of the gorge of the Lifa Valley; the ruins of Santo
Desierto de las Nieves Convent, built by the Carmelite
order in the 18th century on the site of a mid 16th-century
chapel; and Fuensanta waterfalls and mill. |
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Cañete la Real. On a mountain
vantage point between the Serrania de Ronda range and
the Antequera plains stands Cañete la Real, still
exuding the essence of the typical Andalusian villages.
In the shade of the remains of a mediaeval fortress
we find the nave of St. Sebastian's Church, with its
baroque facade and brick tower crowned by a pinnacle
of geometrically laid blue tiles. While the villages
streets are home to stately homes houses dating back
to the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries whose facades,
though in some cases in disrepair, are of immense architectural
value. Also worthy of note are the convents of St. Francis
(17th century) and The Sacrament (18th century). |
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Almargen is situated in the north
of the province of Malaga, near the border with that
of Seville, between the Sierra de Cañete and
the Sierra Zorrito. Almargen is typical of the plain
villages whose main source of income is agriculture,
being surrounded by olive trees and fields of cereals
and sunflowers. The focal point of the village, which
is populated by houses of medium height, is its square,
where locals frequently meet. Places of interest include
Casablanca and Pedro Santo caves and the medicinal spring
at Casablanca. |
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Arriate lies to the northern end
of Ronda across a plain of olive groves, famous for
its Campaneros de la Aurora (bell ringers of the dawn).
The municipal area is surrounded to the north and west
by the River Guadalcobacin, which has created a number
of spots of immense beauty along its course. At the
centre stands the village itself, on flat land traversed
by La Ventilla Stream, with its straight streets and
houses of medium height. |
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Montejaque. A white village in
the Serrania de Ronda mountains whose urban design bears
witness to its Andalusi past, with steep, narrow streets
and whitewashed houses with Arabic roof tiling. A past
that is especially evident in the upper district of
the village. The lower district, with its modern streets,
is home to St. James' Parish Church. |
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Benaojan. Between the solid mass
of limestone of the Sierra de Libar and the River Guadiaro
stands Benaojan, which still retains the essence of
the Arab designed villages with their narrow streets
and whitewashed houses. Our Lady's Church is its most
noteworthy building, and the cured pork sausage industry
which has made Benaojan deservedly famous is clearly
in evidence. Just 7 kilometres from the village, on
the slopes of the Sierra de Libar, stands La Pileta
cave, considered to be the finest example of Andalusian
cave art. |
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Jubrique. As is the case with
the rest of the villages in the Genal Valley, Jubrique
stands on mountainous terrain, its streets and houses
adapted to the uneven land on which they were built,
thus creating the architectural layout so typical of
the Serrania de Ronda region. |
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Cortes de la Frontera pueblo of
dates back to the late 17th century when the production
of cork from the abundant cork oak groves boosted the
economic development in the area. The western part of
the village lies very close to the province of Cadiz
as does the remains of the village of La Sauceda, at
one time a home to bands of 16th-century bandits that
were mentioned in Cervantes' "Coloquio de los perros"
(The Dogs' Conversation) and ¨Vida del Escudero
Marcos de Obregón¨ (The Life of Squire Marcos
de Obregon) by Vicente Espinel. La Sauceda village was
bombed and totally destroyed during the Civil War, and
has remained uninhabited ever since. |
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Gaucin, the first Serrania de
Ronda village encountered by the traveller on the road
which links the Campo de Gibraltar region with Ronda
itself. The village displays all the charms of the white
villages which from here onwards can be seen nestling
in the mountains through which the River Genal flows.
It's streets, of Moorish design, are perfectly adapted
to the hill on which they are built and its graceful
whitewashed houses are boldly decorated with grilles
and balconies expertly crafted from wrought iron. At
the top of the village, adapted, naturally, to the rock
on which it stands is the centuries old El Aguila Castle,
which is aptly named, as from it the eagle eyed can
view the African coast, Gibraltar, the River Genal and
the open countryside which marks the final descent of
the Genal as it meets the River Guadiaro. An obligatory
port of call for any serious visitor, it is no surprise
that Gaucin has stamped its unforgettable image on many
a famous retina. Authors such as Richard Ford, Francis
Carter and Gerald Brenan felt the need to try to put
their experiences of Gaucin into words. The affable,
open character of the local people must certainly have
played a part in the words of the village coat of arms,
they are noble, loyal and hospitable. |
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To view Costa del Sol resale properties, Click Resale Property Search
For information on buying in Spain, click Buyers Guide.
For information on investing in Spain, click Investment Guide.
To reserve, view or find out more, click Contact Us. |
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