Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Ronda, City of My Dreams

 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 Spain

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.
(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.
 
Fountain Ronda Spain
 
Restaurant Ronda Spain
  Wooden Door Ronda Spain
 

 "I have sought everywhere the city of my dreams, and I have finally found it in Ronda"

- Rainer Maria Rilke

Basket of Oranges Ronda, Spain

Door Knocker Ronda Spain

Stature Ronda Spain

 “… 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


Statue Ronda Spain

Cobblestones in Ronda, Spain

Tapas in Ronda, Spain

  “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.

Bicycle Window Ronda Spain
 
Winei n Ronda, Spain

Flamenco Dancer in Ronda Spain

"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
  Fountain in Ronda, Spain

Cat in Ronda, Spain

Fountain in Ronda, Spain

“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
  Lantern in Ronda Spain

Flower in Ronda Spain

Stairway in Ronda Spain

“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


Telephone in Ronda, Spain

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.

View from Ronda, Spain

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.  

13 comments:

  1. Looks fantastic. I have never been, but now I want to!

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  2. Oh my! It looks amazing. I have now added another place to my long list. Gorgeous!!!

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  3. As always, love your photographs! I also really enjoyed reading the quotes you added in-between the pictures.

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  4. What a town! I've never been but I've pinned some of your photos as future reference! Your photos tell the story of a city with alot of history and soul. Thanks, Selena!

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  5. One of my favorite spots in Europe--visited twice, hope to go back again someday.

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  6. I loved Ronda too. We rented a villa nearby but I wish I had stayed in Ronda itself. I didn't realise there were so many quotes attributed to Ronda!

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  7. I still can't get over how pretty it is. Do you have any other recommendations of places to go in Spain?
    xoxo
    Selena

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  8. Bronwyn, I'm so glad you pinned some of my pics. That so makes my day! You will love Ronda. It's spectacular. xoxo
    Selena

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  9. Thanks so much, Kayli!! I love a good quote. I wish I could be that expressive. xoxo
    Selena

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  10. We loved Toledo! charming medieval city. And El Valle de los Caidos (the Franco monument) is powerful lesson in history. We went to Cordoba for Easter when they have processions of the religious orders. The people walk around in cone-shaped white hooded robes. Completely freaky as you might think you had accidentally walked into a KKK rally. But very cool. Great for photos; I think it's done in other parts of Spain as well. We thought Jerez and Gibraltar were lame.

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  11. Selena, seriously! This is an amazing series of posts. Your writing is beautiful and your photos are breathtaking. I'm so glad we are becoming cyber friends! Come see me in Italy!

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  12. I can't believe I had never heard of Ronda before this post, it looks gorgeous!

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  13. I was just telling Matt that we need to move up our trip to Venice and plan a meet up!!

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Thanks for commenting. I love to hear from you!