After our evening in Malaga and our introduction to Spain,
we grabbed a quick breakfast and headed to the train station.
Our next stop was about 60 miles inland at the stunning Spanish city of Ronda.
I so desperately want to be prolific and convey to you some sense of the true beauty of this city.
But, all I can think to say is
"Ohmygawd, y'all!!! This place is so awesome!!
You have to go there!!! I can't even tell you!!!"
(Oh wait, is that my phone is ringing? Must be the editor of a travel magazine, I'm sure of it.)
Ronda is located in a majestic mountain area. A dramatic gorge slices the city in two,
each half perched on the cliffs overhanging the Guadalevín River.
each half perched on the cliffs overhanging the Guadalevín River.
(More on that in my next post.)
Like most modern European cities, it was once a Roman stronghold and has changed hands many times throughout the years. It has a very colorful history full of conquests and massacres.
In modern days, this magical city has inspired artists and writers with her unique and rugged beauty.
Since I'm struggling a bit with just the right words, I'm going to let some of them tell you about Ronda along with my photographs.
Since I'm struggling a bit with just the right words, I'm going to let some of them tell you about Ronda along with my photographs.
"I have sought everywhere the city of my dreams, and I have finally found it in Ronda"
- Rainer Maria Rilke
“… and Ronda with the old windows of the houses, the eyes which spy out hidden behind the latticework so that their lover might kiss the iron bars and the taverns with half-closed doors in the night and the castanets and the night…”
- James Joyce
“In Ronda, one of the most impressive gorges on the face of the earth. In Ronda there are many streets that should be marked with a sign for tourists: To chaos. In any stretch of countryside or street which offers itself to the tourist he is told imperiously that this way he will get to the Cathedral, the Museum. But in Ronda there are many streets which take us to ourselves. The gorge has no obligations to the guides. One leans over the edge of it and may find in its depths fear, prophecies, prayers or poems”
José María Pemán
This one just brings tears to my eyes, especially that last sentence, "fear, prophecies, prayers or poems."
This completely speaks to me of Ronda.
This completely speaks to me of Ronda.
"That is where you should go if you ever go to Spain on a honeymoon or if you ever bolt with anyone. The entire town and as far as you can see in any direction is romantic background… If a honeymoon or an elopement is not a success in Ronda, it would be as well to start for Paris and commence making your own friends.
- Ernest Hemingway
“We sighted Ronda. It was raised up in the mountains, like a natural extension of the landscape, and in the sunlight it seemed to me to be the most beautiful city in the world.”
- J. Agustín Goytisolo
“Strolling round Ronda at dusk. The cypresses, the palaces, all of that air not far removed from the Courts of Cadiz; and a sky of an inexpressable colour, neither pearl grey nor silver; a touch of pale blue which a particular white force of the light rubbed out and compensated for with its irradiation."
- Luis Cernuda
We stopped in a small restaurant to hide from an afternoon shower.
I was admiring this old phone thinking it was a part of the decor
when suddenly it started ringing. You should have seen my face.
I'm certain it was Hemingway calling to tell me that he loved Ronda as much as I did and
that he understood why I walked around this city for two days with tears in my eyes
and a dreamy smile on my face.
And I haven't really even shown you the really grand sites of Ronda. Oh, the views!
Here is just a taste of more to come in my next post.
Did Ronda inspire you to wax poetic or just leave you stunned into silence?
If you need more convincing to add Spain to your list, be sure to read yesterday's post
This was a personal holiday. All opinions, photos and writing are my own except as noted otherwise.
This post is not in partnership with any business or organization.
As always, I promise to be open, honest and transparent with my readers.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.
As always, I promise to be open, honest and transparent with my readers.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.