Ronda Walking Tour

Romanticism and Literary background of Ronda

Ronda is not only Spain’s best-known tourist destination—but it has a special place on the map of world literature. It attracted artists, musicians, and writers over the centuries. Many renowned travelers like Rainer Maria Rilke, Washington Irving, Ernest Hemingway, Benjamin Disraeli, Prosper Merimee, and Richard Ford turned up in Ronda. 

In his book “‘Tales of the Alhambra’, Irving mentioned bandits and landscapes, the themes that appealed most to the Romantics in the 19th Century. 

Rainer Maria Rilke, the German poet, left home when in spiritual and existential crisis found poetic inspiration in the Spanish town of Ronda. Rilke was transfixed by the landscape and ‘strong and splendid air’ of Ronda. For him, Ronda was a place of liberation and his poetry began to flow.

Americans Ernest Hemingway was also heavily inspired by Ronda. Ernest Hemingway was also a great bullfighting enthusiast. He was impressed by the mountainous settings, narrow, winding streets, and white buildings. Hemingway wrote two books Death in the Afternoon (1932) and The Dangerous Summer (1985) on Ronda.

Romantic Ronda: bandoleros & bandits

Romantic writers and artists described the beauty of towns like Ronda so that foreigners could discover the most marvelous places. The legend of the bandoleros, (bandits) was born for the defense of the town against Napoleon’s troops. It is linked to Ronda and its culture. 

Highwaymen attacked travelers and became very famous in the popular imagination. Their image, the characteristic attire, and their blunderbusses became associated with Ronda forever. 

José Ulloa Navarro "El Tragabuches" was one of the most famous bandits in 19th century Andalusia. He was a bullfighter by profession but left the bullrings after killing his wife and her lover and joined the Seven Children of Ecija gang of bandits. 

Pasos Largos was another bandit who is famously called "the last Andalusian bandit". He died in 1937 shortly after leaving prison as he could not adapt to normal life. He was born in El Burgo, very near Ronda.

EL Tempranillo' (1805-1833). No bandit in Ronda history is as famous as José Maria El Tempranillo. El Tempranillo was very polite and generous towards people whom bandits robbed. He had become a bandit at the age of thirteen after killing a man who had insulted his family. He became so popular that King Ferdinand VII granted him pardon and gave him a state position. His figure had become a myth and appeared in romances, couplets, serials, novels, and biographies, etc.

Customise your tour: I can create a customised tour for you in case you have special request like adding the Bull Breeding Farm or visiting a local Winery. Please inquire