Plaza de Espana (Spain Square), Ronda

Close by the New Bridge (Puente Nuevo), one will find the Spain Square (Plaza de Espana). While it is part of the New Town, it is also the entry point to the Old Town of La Ciudad. It seems that most Spanish towns of any size have a square named Spain Square. The Spain Square in Ronda is different.

How is it different? It overlooks the New Bridge and the fabulous Ronda Gorge ( El Tajo de Ronda). The views are really breathtaking. There are plenty of bars and eateries. There is one unobtrusive McDonald's, but it's only one. The Ronda ambiance is still intact.

There is the former Town Hall (Ayuntamiento) of 1734, now the Hotel Parador, and a statue of Antonio de los Rios Rosas, a statesman and native of Ronda born in 1812.

The town's main square was made famous by Ernest Hemingway in For Whom the Bell Tolls. Chapter 10 tells of fascists rounded up in front of the Town Hall and thrown off a neighboring cliff. The episode is based on events that took place here in Spain Square.