Puente Nuevo in Ronda

See that thing, there over to the left? That is the one of the more important attractions for tourists coming to Ronda, it's the Puente Nuevo which crosses el Tajo. I'm never sure which is the more impressive attraction, the gorge or the bridge and by a happy coincidence they are in exactly the same spot so I guess it isn't terribly important which is more impressive coz' you get to see them both.

The little waterfall you see at the bottom of the bridge is the mighty rio guadalevin, which actually carved that gorge of the last few hundred thousand years, but is now unfortunately nothing more than a slightly fast flowing stream. The old town of Ronda is over to the right, that's where the Moors had their city and where all the really impressive old architecture is. To the left is the new town which is where the main shopping precinct and the bullfighting arena is.

The story with the bridge is that it took 42 years to build, and was started in 1793. It is an impressive bridge. The gorge is actually 120 meters deep at the bottom of the waterfall. Within the bridge is a museum which for a very long time also served as a prison, swapping hands between the nationalists and republicans during Spain's civil war. It is rumored, although veterans of the war deny it, that many a prisoner were thrown to their deaths from the prison balcony, a very nasty way to perish I'm sure you'll agree.

Now you might be wondering why on earth I'd bother to write up an entry about the bridge. Today was when the photo was taken, and you wouldn't believe it but we walked down a rather steep pathway to the bottom of the gorge to take this photo, and then rather stupidly walked back up to the top instead of whipping out our mobile and calling a taxi. Even now, several hours after that incredibly heroic walk, my calf, shin, and thigh muscles are screaming in agony. But at least I got some exercise and maybe shed a pound or two.