Palacio de Mondragon (Mondragon Palace), Ronda
Abomelik, a 14th-century Muslim military commander and unofficial Ronda guest of honor鈥攄idn鈥檛 commission the Mondrag贸n Palace. Still, after his triumphant Gibraltar victories in 1330, he did take up temporary residence here鈥攐nly to dash off to his final curtain call at the Battle of Jerez in 1338.
Today鈥檚 palace is less medieval fortress and more time-traveler鈥檚 mash-up. Beneath 18th-century wings and a modern front gallery (thank you, Ferdinand and Isabella, circa 1490s), you鈥檒l see wooden Mud茅jar-style ceilings, colorful original ceramic tiles, and open balconies looking out over peaceful inner courtyards.
However, the true attraction are the cliff-hanging water gardens, still whispering of Moorish luxury and now moonlighting as Ronda鈥檚 favorite spot for sculpture expos and wedding 鈥淚 do鈥檚.鈥�
Inside, the upper floor hosts the Ronda鈥檚 Museum of Local History , where artifacts chart millennia of Andalusian drama鈥攆rom Roman rule to Moorish reign to Catholic monarch makeovers鈥攚hile the rest of the palace doubles as the town鈥檚 School of Languages. Walk these halls long enough, and you鈥檒l swear you can hear Abomelik grumbling about overdue rent.
Today鈥檚 palace is less medieval fortress and more time-traveler鈥檚 mash-up. Beneath 18th-century wings and a modern front gallery (thank you, Ferdinand and Isabella, circa 1490s), you鈥檒l see wooden Mud茅jar-style ceilings, colorful original ceramic tiles, and open balconies looking out over peaceful inner courtyards.
However, the true attraction are the cliff-hanging water gardens, still whispering of Moorish luxury and now moonlighting as Ronda鈥檚 favorite spot for sculpture expos and wedding 鈥淚 do鈥檚.鈥�
Inside, the upper floor hosts the Ronda鈥檚 Museum of Local History , where artifacts chart millennia of Andalusian drama鈥攆rom Roman rule to Moorish reign to Catholic monarch makeovers鈥攚hile the rest of the palace doubles as the town鈥檚 School of Languages. Walk these halls long enough, and you鈥檒l swear you can hear Abomelik grumbling about overdue rent.
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Palacio de Mondragon (Mondragon Palace) on Map
Sight Name: Palacio de Mondragon (Mondragon Palace)
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
Creating your own self-guided walk in Ronda is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
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