NO PGOU OR HISTORIC TOWN PLAN YET
By David Eade – Costa del Sol News
The situation in Ronda is very different. The council has now completed its sessions till after the May 22 elections without approving the new PGOU or the town plan for the historic centre.
The delegate for town planning, María José Martín de Haro, said much work had been achieved over recent years but the documents still needed to receive the final approval from provincial and the Andalucía authorities.
The council has approved the advanced version of the PGOU but now it rests with the higher authorities who are studying it. Likewise the plan for the preservation of the historic centre has also been approved but 64 submissions by residents or businesses are being considered and it has still to be approved by the regional government’s heritage department.
MYSTERY RONDA ROAD DEATH
Investigations are underway after a man died when his vehicle skidded off the A-374 Ronda to Sevilla road. His body was found on Sunday morning by the Guardia Civil although at the time of writing officers do not know when the accident took place.
The tragedy occurred at km 23 and the vehicle had been travelling in the direction of Ronda. The car went off the road within the municipal boundary and the deceased was the only person in the vehicle.
According to the Centro de Gestión del Trafico de Málaga the body was located by officers at around 10.30. The Guardia Civil is now trying to determine just what occurred and when.
UNESCO BID
The Commission of Culture of the Andalucía government has unanimously approved a motion placed by the opposition Partido Popular calling for the start as soon as possible of the process to have Ronda declared Patrimonio de la Humanidad by UNESCO. All political parties in Ronda expressed their satisfaction at the decision and promised to work with the commission to establish Ronda’s rich heritage.
CUT OFF
Ronda’s Partido Andalucista spokesperson on heritage and the environment, Rafael Flores, has protested over the state of the road leading to the Roman ruins at Acinipo, 20 kilometres from the town centre. Would be visitors flock to the historic site but have to abandon their cars and walk as the road was damaged in the January 2010 rains and is still under repair.
HONOURED AUTHOR
The Andalucía ministry of culture has honoured the Ronda born writer, Francisco Giner de los Rios (1839-1915), as its author of the year. An exhibition is currently being held in Ronda dedicated to his life and works and will tour all Andalucía. De los Rios was a liberal educator and progressive who laid down many of the principals for teaching in modern Spain.
MAY FAIR
The Real Feria de Mayo, one of Andalucía oldest agricultural fairs will be held in Ronda between the 12 th and 15 th of this month. There was no fair last year but it is hoped the 150 stands and 30,000 visitors of 2009 will be exceeded. The fair will include a bullfight at which pupils of the Escuela Taurina will take part.
HOSPITAL 2012
Andalucía’s minister for health, María Jesús Montero, visited Ronda last week and announced the new hospital would be open in 2012. A budget of 40.8 million euros has been assigned to the project with work taking 42 months. The hospital will have a fertility clinic plus nuclear magnetic treatment centre and will serve 93,000 people in Ronda, the Serranía and Sierra de Cádiz.
NO FLAG
Ronda is one of the few towns to have its own shield, that of King Fernando el Católico given when he took the town from the Muslims. It was never converted into a flag so a commission of experts has been studying the achieves to determine a design. One has now been produced reflecting Ronda’s history and awaits approval by all political parties.
RONDA WEATHER
RONDA MARKETS AND EVENTS
MARKETS
General market – normally every Sunday – new location on the Feria ground by the Hipersol Supermarket.
Arts and Crafts market – first Sunday of the month – in the plaza Duquesa de Parcent by the Ayuntamiento de Ronda.
EVENTS
February – Carnaval Semana Santa – Easter Holy Week – April 17 - 24 declared of National tourist interest in Andalucía.
May -101km foot and bicycle race organised by the Spanish Foreign Legion in Ronda.
May – 2 nd Sunday – Celebrations for the patron of Ronda, Virgen de la Paz.
May 24 –Procession of the Virgen Maria Auxiliadora.
May –Real Feria de Mayo – the oldest traditional cattle fair in Andalucía.
June – Festival of Corpus Christi.
June -1 st Sunday – Procession of the Virgen de la Cabeza.
August – Festival of Canta Grande flamenco singing.
August – International Folklore Gala.
September – Fair and fiesta of Pedro Romero with the famous Goyesca bullfight – declared on National tourist interest in Andalucía.
October – Real Feria de San Francisco – traditional celebrations in San Francisco quarter.
December –January –Christmas celebrations, Belen nativity scenes, January 5 Three Kings procession.
The Casa de Cultural is adjacent to the Alameda, holds events and has details of what's on. It can be contacted on: 952 87 21 42. For other details click on the Tourist Office link.
General market – normally every Sunday – new location on the Feria ground by the Hipersol Supermarket.
Arts and Crafts market – first Sunday of the month – in the plaza Duquesa de Parcent by the Ayuntamiento de Ronda.
EVENTS
February – Carnaval Semana Santa – Easter Holy Week – April 17 - 24 declared of National tourist interest in Andalucía.
May -101km foot and bicycle race organised by the Spanish Foreign Legion in Ronda.
May – 2 nd Sunday – Celebrations for the patron of Ronda, Virgen de la Paz.
May 24 –Procession of the Virgen Maria Auxiliadora.
May –Real Feria de Mayo – the oldest traditional cattle fair in Andalucía.
June – Festival of Corpus Christi.
June -1 st Sunday – Procession of the Virgen de la Cabeza.
August – Festival of Canta Grande flamenco singing.
August – International Folklore Gala.
September – Fair and fiesta of Pedro Romero with the famous Goyesca bullfight – declared on National tourist interest in Andalucía.
October – Real Feria de San Francisco – traditional celebrations in San Francisco quarter.
December –January –Christmas celebrations, Belen nativity scenes, January 5 Three Kings procession.
The Casa de Cultural is adjacent to the Alameda, holds events and has details of what's on. It can be contacted on: 952 87 21 42. For other details click on the Tourist Office link.
RONDA CULTURE EVENTS GUIDE
USEFUL LOCAL NUMBERS
European Emergency number for all services - 112.
Local Police – 952 87 13 69 Guardia Civil – 952 87 14 81
National Police – 952 16 12 20 Fire Brigade – 952 87 19 58
Ronda Hospital – 951 06 50 00/01
Trains:
Renfe - 952 87 16 73
Buses:
Los Amarillos – 952 18 70 61 Comes -952 87 19 92 Portillo – 952 87 22 62
Taxis: 952 87 23 16
Local Police – 952 87 13 69 Guardia Civil – 952 87 14 81
National Police – 952 16 12 20 Fire Brigade – 952 87 19 58
Ronda Hospital – 951 06 50 00/01
Trains:
Renfe - 952 87 16 73
Buses:
Los Amarillos – 952 18 70 61 Comes -952 87 19 92 Portillo – 952 87 22 62
Taxis: 952 87 23 16
TOURIST OFFICES
There are now three tourist offices in Ronda.
The Ronda municipal tourist office is by the bullring.
http://www.turismoderonda.es
The Junta de Andalucía tourist office is nearby in the Plaza de España by the Parador Hotel.
The tourist information office for the Serranía de Ronda is in the San Francisco quarter in the calle Espíritu Santo that links the entrance through the old walls and the church of the same name. It is open seven days a week and also sells wines and produce from the Serranía.
The Ronda municipal tourist office is by the bullring.
http://www.turismoderonda.es
The Junta de Andalucía tourist office is nearby in the Plaza de España by the Parador Hotel.
The tourist information office for the Serranía de Ronda is in the San Francisco quarter in the calle Espíritu Santo that links the entrance through the old walls and the church of the same name. It is open seven days a week and also sells wines and produce from the Serranía.