Andalucia is the home to ancient villages, endless rolling
hills and national parks. Among the most spectacular villages are the pueblos
blancos. A world of bleached beauty, hilltop history and crag top castles…classic
white villages of Spain. These villages crown the dramatic landscapes that
stretch away before you.
Andalucian villages are epitomised by age old lofty crags
above whitewashed homes tucked into green countryside. At every turn you are
amazed at what unfolds before you as you drive the winding roads between hills.
Our trip through Andalucia included Ronda, Arcos de la Frontera and Zahara de
la Sierra.
So, let’s start at the best known pueblo blanco, Ronda. Ronda
is a destination in and of itself, with monuments that pay homage to its
history and sights that reveal its majesty. We, however, spent half a day in the
town.
It is a place where you can feel overcome, if not by amazement
at the scenery, then by the sheer height! Ronda is among the most spectacular
and oldest town of the Andalucian hills.
It is set above a stunning deep gorge with one of the most photographed
structures in Spain, the Puente Nuevo. The New Bridge links the old town with
the new high above the river. The river has carved a canyon over the centuries
that is 100 metres deep, and half a kilometre long.
Known for being one of Spain's most photogenic spots, El
Tajo Gorge is a deep and impressive ravine dividing the historic village of
Ronda. This presents an incredible view, which looks out over a vast,
impossibly beautiful mountain valley with olive and cypress trees into the
distance. Connecting the two halves of
the village is the famed Puente Nuevo bridge.
Ernest Hemingway spent much time in Ronda, writing Death in the Afternoon. But you know
you’re in an old city when its recent history dates back to the Roman era,
during which Roman legions used it as a commercial centre. Later, the city fell
to the Moors and became a minor Arab emirate.
This part of Andalucia is steeped
in history, most notably being the birthplace of bullfighting and Ronda is famed for its bullring, the oldest one in all of
Spain, to which Hemingway paid tribute. “There is one town that would be better
than Aranjuez to see your first bullfight in if you are only going to see one
and that is Ronda”.
Ronda provides a perfect base from which to explore the
diverse mountain ranges that surround it. Nearby is Zahara de la Sierra - a
tiny town with a tingly setting under a Moorish castle and a spectacular view. This
is a small town laced around a castle topped spur at the foot of a mountain
range. It has palm studded streets with bougainvillea draped streets. It was
once a Moorish stronghold.
A stand-out white village is Arcos de la Frontera. Arcos is considered the gateway to the white villages. Arcos can not hide its Arab past. At first glance, the most impressive is its location, on a vertiginous rock with views over the river.
Strolling through its narrow and steep streets, a sea of
red roofed whitewashed houses, which tumble down the craggy ridge are evident
across the town. Plaza del Cabildo has spectacular views over the river, with
dramatic cliff-top panoramas. It is easy to get lost in the twisting narrow
streets of this town.
Andalucian hills are scattered with white villages. They
look and feel traditional, are picturesque and squashed-together old houses with
narrow little streets. These villages mark the landscape, strongly contrasting
against the stark hillsides and craggy mountains. Though many of these villages
and small towns are firmly-established on the tourist scene, you can still find
a few which are not visited as much, like we did, with the benefit of independent
travel.
