The gorge's depth is sufficient to accommodate a 40-story building within its walls.
The current bridge is the second attempt; the first, built in 1735, collapsed after only six years, resulting in 50 deaths.
The central chamber of the bridge functioned as a temporary jail for prisoners of the Spanish Civil War.
The architect of the Puente Nuevo, José Martín de Aldehuela, died shortly after its completion under circumstances that remain a subject of local debate.
The gorge walls contain several historic flour mills that historically utilized the Guadalevín River's current.
The limestone composition of the Tajo allows for the growth of specialized cliff-dwelling flora adapted to the microclimate.
The gorge has been a significant defensive asset for Ronda, serving as a natural fortress during historical conflicts.
The vertical walls exhibit clear strata layers representing different geological periods of the Tertiary era.
El Tajo de Ronda is a 120-meter deep gorge carved by the Guadalevín River, physically dividing the city of Ronda into its Moorish old town and the newer 18th-century district. The Puente Nuevo, completed in 1793, spans the chasm and stands 98 meters high. The bridge consists of three arches, with a central chamber located above the main arch that served as a prison during the Spanish Civil War. The surrounding limestone cliffs are home to the Lesser Kestrel and various species of swifts. Visitors can access a series of winding paths that descend into the gorge for a base-level perspective of the bridge's stone masonry. The gorge's unique geology results from erosive processes acting on the Ronda plateau's sedimentary rock. The site serves as the primary landmark of the Serranía de Ronda mountain range.
The 'Mirador de la Alcaja' path provides the iconic perspective of the bridge looking up from the gorge floor.
Wear footwear with strong grip, as the descending gorge paths are steep and can be slippery.
Bring binoculars to observe the Lesser Kestrel colonies nesting in the cliff faces.
Carry water, as there are no facilities once you begin the descent into the gorge.
Do not attempt the steep trail down to the bottom of the gorge if you have mobility issues or if it has recently rained.
Maintain caution near the cliff edges, as safety barriers do not cover all viewpoints.
