Few places can boast the beauty and uniqueness of Ronda. One of the best moments to immerse yourself in the history and tradition of this "dream city" is during the Pedro Romero Festival, the backdrop to the traditional Corrida Goyesca bull fight, taking place this year from 28 August to 3 September.
For a few days, the city is taken up in a traditional celebration held honour of the Ronda bullfighter who it is named after. Declared a Festival of National Tourist Interest, its main attraction is the Goyesca bullfight, which is held on Saturday 2 September in the Ronda Bullring and at which the bullfighters and their teams dress up in traditional period costumes.
A little background history
The first Corrida Goyesca Bullfight tool place in 1954 on the occasion of the bicentennial of the birth of the bullfighter Pedro Romero. Throughout its history, it has counted on the presence of prestigious guests, such as the writer Ernest Hemingway or the filmmaker Orson Welles, whose ashes were laid to rest at the property of the bullfighter Antonio Ordóñez. Each year dignitaries and celebrities from the national and international scene are in attendance.
A full programme of activities
The Pedro Romero festival includes a whole range of activities that can be enjoyed throughout the week. The most symbolic representatives of this fair are the Goyescas ladies, attired in period costumes. On the first day there is a procession at which the ladies parade, inaugurating the fair. This is followed by window dressing competitions and a full programme of activities taking place throughout the week, and the Silver Madroñera award is presented for the best costume.
Although the Corrida Goyesca bullfight is the most famous event, there are other moments that you can not miss. On Sunday you can enjoy the “corrida de rejones” or bullfighting on horseback and, beforehand, the Carriage contest, at which you can see traditional horse-drawn carriages decked out in typical 19th century style.
What’s more, in recent years the daytime fair in the Real bullring has taken on particular importance, with a very traditional atmosphere at which there is no shortage of horses and flamenco costumes.
What to see in Ronda
This wonderful town is located at the heart of the Serranía de Rondaupland area, about 100 kilometres from Malaga. Its great natural beauty makes it one of the most visited destinations in all Andalusia.
One of its most characteristic and well-known attractions is the Puente Nuevo, the bridge which crosses the Tajo River as it passes through the town. Built in the eighteenth century, and of 98 meters in height and 70 in length, it has become one of the main attractions. Joining the Market and the City neighbourhoods, the bridge seems to form part of the rock itself, as it is anchored to the walls of the Tajo. The material used in its construction was extracted from the riverbed, which means its colour closely resembles that of the rocks.
The Real Maestranza de Caballería de Rondais one of the oldest bullrings in Spain, through which some of the most famous bullfighters of all time have passed. Declared a site of Cultural Interest Heritage in 1993, it is one of the most visited monuments of the town.
In addition, you can also visit other sites like the Old Bridge, the Palace of the Moorish King and the Mine, the Arab City Walls, the Palace of Mondragón, the Church of Santa María la Mayor, the Bandolero Museum, the Arab Baths and the Mirador de la Peña de Berlanga look out point.
Don’t miss the opportunity to visit Ronda and get to know the traditional Corrida Goyesca.
