View from the Arco De Cristo, Ronda, Spain

The Arco de Cristo (Arch of Christ) is not a city gate but rather a natural or partly man-made archway located on a steep, rocky trail descending into the El Tajo gorge beneath the famous Puente Nuevo,. Built in the 12th century, it is considered one of the most rewarding viewpoints in Ronda, offering a unique and spectacular framed perspective of the monumental New Bridge and the towering cliffs. Although it does not have the formal historical documentation of the main city gates like the Puerta de Almocobar or the Arco de Felipe V, the arch is situated within the landscape that would have been vital during Ronda’s Moorish and Christian eras, as the area below the arch leads to ruins and the banks of the Guadalevín River, where the old mills were situated. Today, visitors undertake a long, somewhat strenuous walk down dusty paths to reach this vantage point, which is beloved by photographers and artists for its stunning, less-crowded composition of Ronda’s most iconic structure.

• 30 minute walk from Plaza de María Auxiliadora
• 45 minutes to an hour from the bridge
• Can continue along the trail to get lower or go for a walk and circle back up to Ronda

Words from the Photographer: A nice walk down, with plenty of places to view the bridge, continue down more and look out at the gorgeous Spanish Mountainside