CASA DEL REY MORO UNDER THE HAMMER ON JULY 27By David Eade – Costa del Sol News
Much has been written here in recent months on the historic Casa del Rey Moro that sits on the site of the Tajo gorge in Ronda. It dates from the 13 th century, is protected as being of cultural interest (BIC) and the Andalucía government has the final say in how the building is to be used.
The sad fact is that the building is also in a ruinous state and plans for it to become Ronda’s first five star hotel came to nothing. Several months ago there was a row between the town hall and the German owner as he, Johen Knie, mounted a sit-in on the roof displaying banners protesting at their delays in giving him permission to convert the building in to the luxury hotel. The mayor, Antonio Marín, even suggested that a compulsory purchase of the property might be enacted as he believes the scheme is unlikely.
Now it appears the property might be sold by auction on July 27 after a judge made the ruling in a case involving a debt between the German company that owns it and one of its creditors.
The amount claimed is 150,000 euros which a woman says she is owed after the company promised to build a home for her mother after she vacated land to allow for the five star hotel project to proceed.
However the row has stretched on for eight years and it is now likely that a price tag of 3.1 million euros will be placed on the property. The company has stated its intention of settling the debt before that date to save it from being sold and it still intends to proceed with the hotel project. Sadly whilst these arguments rage on an important part of Ronda’s rich heritage continues to crumble.
WALK TO MARBELLA
When connections between Ronda and Marbella have been discussed in past months the project in everybody’s mind has been the toll motorway promised before the last general election.
That is on hold but now a route has been opened up between the two towns for those who prefer a gentler pace of travel – and at no cost. The Puerta Verde covering 42.6 kilometres between woodlands and crossing the Sierra de las Nieves is now a reality.
To inaugurate the route the Andalucía minister for the environment, Juan José Díaz Trillo, was on hand as was the mayor of Ronda Antonio Marín who commented: “there is no better form to unite the two towns than this.”
For those who wish to walk the walk the talk is that it is in the medium level of difficulty category. Along the route are wild olives, cork and Holm oaks, mountain pines and the madroño – a tree that is the symbol of Madrid and whilst now rare in Spain is frequently found in the Serranía de Ronda.
Along the route are various points where the traveller can take a break including the Pilar de Coca. There are also numerous goat and sheep herds plus streams and waterfalls. The Puerta Verde is also proving popular with athletes and cyclists who use it as part of their training regime.
OFF SIDE
Izquierda Unida took Ronda’s mayor Antonio Marín to court alleging that he’d broken town planning laws by allowing the demolition of the former football ground before the permissions to the Eroski supermarket chain for doing the work had been granted. However the court has ruled Marín committed no offence and now he is threatening to sue IU for 300,000 euros for damages.
PGOU APPROVAL
Ronda’s long awaited new local development plan (PGOU) should be approved in its draft form in September. Currently the town hall has been briefing local interest groups on its contents. Once the document has been approved by the council for what will be the second time it will be opened to the public for further comment before it’s approved by the regional government.
CRUISE VISITORS
Ronda may be well inland from the coast but there are plans to offer one of Spain’s top tourist attractions to cruise ship passengers when they dock in Málaga. The town hall’s tourism office is holding meetings with cruise operators Pulmantur, MCS Cruceros and Costa Cruceros to have Ronda included on their tour itineraries. Currently 680,000 passengers visit the Málaga port each year.
CULTURE CAPITAL
It is common knowledge that Málaga is a candidate city for the title of European culture capital in 2016 but its bid is being boosted by the famous landmarks of Ronda. Last week Ronda’s mayor Antonio Marín attended an event in Málaga hosted by its mayor and the Málaga province to promote its campaign. Marbella, Antequera and Vélez-Málaga are also offering their support.
ENDANGERED OAKS
Silvema in the Serranía de Ronda and Ecologistas en Acción have made an official complaint to Seprona – the environmental arm of the Guardia Civil – over 100 endangered Holm oaks. They were moved from the new hospital site and are stored at La Dehesa waiting to be replanted. However the environmentalists say they are dying due to lack of water and due care.
SEGREGATION OK
Within three years the province of Málaga will have its 102 nd and 103 rd municipalities. Step forward Serrato and Montecorto which are currently part of Ronda but are so far from the town that they have for years been seeking segregation. Their bid for independence were held up whilst they met the required criteria and then the Partido Popular blocked their aspirations.
ROAD WORKS
The winter rains badly hits the Serranía de Ronda and now the Málaga provincial authority has spent over 815,000 euros on a major repairs and upgrade programme on the seven kilometres that connect Cañete La Real and Almargen. The base of the road has been reinforced, it has been completely resurfaced and new signs have been erected along its entire length.
