Antequera
Few places can boast of having a historical and cultural heritage as rich as that of Antequera. Deep in the heat of Andalusia, this city is host to over fifty monuments and archaeological sites of extraordinary importance.
A walk around Antequera is a walk back in time. A glorious history that has left its mark in stately homes, churches and convents of the most varied styles, a Muslim fortress and a prehistoric ensemble that has been declared a World Heritage Site. The municipality also has one of the most astounding natural parks in the province of Malaga and the whole of Spain, El Torcal.
In addition to all of these riches, Antequera is also a transport hub that connects the region with the rest of Andalusia (here you can find the old route taken by Washington Irving, the American romantic author and traveller). Today it also has a high-speed train station in the greater municipal area.
Ronda
Despite being a growing town, Ronda retains much of its historic charm, particularly its old town. It is famous worldwide for its dramatic views, and for the deep El Tajo gorge that carries the rio Guadalevín through its centre. Visitors make a beeline for the 18th century Puente Nuevo 'new' bridge, which straddles the 100m chasm below, before taking in the views from the Alameda out over the Serranía de Ronda mountains.
Ronda is the birthplace of modern bullfighting – at the beginning of September each year there are fighters and audience members who dress up in the style of Goya’s famous paintings of the region, while throughout the rest of the year, the bullring of Plaza de Toros is not a museum whereby visitor can stroll out into the arena.
There is a network of beautiful cobbled streets throughout Ronda, The cobbled alley to the Mondragón leads naturally to Ronda's loveliest public space, the leafy Plaza Duquesa de Parcent, which boasts a convent, two churches, including the toy town belltower of the Iglesia Santa Maria de Mayor.
