Casa del Rey Moro (House of the Moorish King), Ronda
Believe it or not, not a single Moorish monarch ever set foot in the so-called House of the Moorish King. Erected in the 18th century鈥攚ell after Ronda鈥檚 last Moorish commander, rode off into exile in 1487鈥攖his swaggering villa owes its name more to legend than to royal residency. Its lush gardens, though, are 20th-century French flair, laid out by Jean Claude Forestier in 1912 to rival even the grandest Andalusian patios.
The true medieval star here is the Water Mine, a 14th-century marvel King Abomelik commissioned to carve stairs down the sheer gorge walls so wagons could haul river water uphill. Sadly, in 1485 the Marquis of C谩diz鈥檚 troops sabotaged the wheel, and with the city鈥檚 water supply cut, Ronda waved the white flag.
Today鈥檚 complex is a three-act drama: the subterranean Water Mine, the 18th-century house perched above it, and Forestier鈥檚 picture-perfect gardens. The Duchess of Parcent snapped up the property in 1911, gave the villa a grand makeover, and hired Forestier to green up the grounds. The result? A historic estate where Moorish engineering shakes hands with Rococo makeovers, all set in Belle 脡poque gardens 鈥� they are begging you to explore its hidden stairways and blooming courtyards.
The true medieval star here is the Water Mine, a 14th-century marvel King Abomelik commissioned to carve stairs down the sheer gorge walls so wagons could haul river water uphill. Sadly, in 1485 the Marquis of C谩diz鈥檚 troops sabotaged the wheel, and with the city鈥檚 water supply cut, Ronda waved the white flag.
Today鈥檚 complex is a three-act drama: the subterranean Water Mine, the 18th-century house perched above it, and Forestier鈥檚 picture-perfect gardens. The Duchess of Parcent snapped up the property in 1911, gave the villa a grand makeover, and hired Forestier to green up the grounds. The result? A historic estate where Moorish engineering shakes hands with Rococo makeovers, all set in Belle 脡poque gardens 鈥� they are begging you to explore its hidden stairways and blooming courtyards.
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Casa del Rey Moro (House of the Moorish King) on Map
Sight Name: Casa del Rey Moro (House of the Moorish King)
Sight Location: Ronda, Spain (See walking tours in Ronda)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Ronda, Spain (See walking tours in Ronda)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Ronda, Spain
Create Your Own Walk in Ronda
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Ronda Introduction Walking Tour
Imagine a city so dramatic it naturally inspired myth and empire鈥攚elcome to Ronda, where every cliff, gate, and square flaunts history. Before the Romans and Visigoths muscled in, Celtic tribes called this rocky promontory Arunda. The Phoenicians and Romans left their mark, but it was the Umayyads in 713 who gave us Rundah, which means the 鈥淐astle on the Cliff.鈥� Next up, in 1485, and... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles