The most beautiful bridge in the world is in Andalusia: it had to be built twice and is not well designed.

Deep in the Málaga mountains lies a city known for being the land of bandits . This municipality is one of the oldest in Spain and boasts a wealth of monuments that amaze and captivate visitors. And, in addition to having the oldest bullring in the country, stunning Arab baths, and the Mondragón Palace, its Puente Nuevo bridge is the most emblematic monument and one of the most beautiful in this municipality in the province of Málaga: Ronda .

But beyond the beauty of this bridge, which has captivated travelers and artists for centuries, its history is marked by tragedy.

Ronda has three bridges : the San Miguel bridge, located 12 metres above the river and built with stone slabs in the 13th century; the Old bridge , which was built in the lowest part of the city in the 16th century to connect the old Islamic medina with the new neighbourhood that emerged after the conquest in the Mercadillo area; and the New bridge , which, located in the highest part, had to be built twice.

The history of the latter - the most famous - begins in 1735 , when construction of the first bridge began during the reign of Philip V. This infrastructure, designed by Juan Camacho and José García, consisted of a single arch 35 meters in diameter. However, the work was carried out hastily and, after only eight months of work, it collapsed in 1741 , taking with it the lives of some 50 people and hundreds of tons of stone to the bottom of the ravine.

After the disaster, the city decided to undertake a new project. In 1751, work resumed under the direction of architect José Martín de Aldehuela, a native of Manzanera (Teruel). Construction continued until 1793 , coinciding with the celebration of the Royal Fair of Ronda. Unlike the first attempt, the new design opted for a more robust and secure structure .

The bridge was built with stone ashlars extracted from the bottom of the Tagus, allowing for perfect integration with the landscape and a blending effect with the natural surroundings. It stands 98 meters high, and its central arch spans 14 meters. It also has a chamber inside that once served as a prison.

It is named Puente Nuevo in reference to the Puente Viejo , which, located approximately 100 meters northeast of the Puente Nuevo bridge, spanned the Guadalevín River. Although the Puente Viejo bridge is still in use, it already complicated access to the upper esplanade of the market district in the modern age, due to the steep slopes leading to it.

Returning to the most famous bridge, despite its imposing presence, its design has been criticized by some experts. The structure is considered excessively robust and expensive, with a use of materials that could be considered unnecessary from a modern engineering perspective. However, this same solidity has perhaps allowed the bridge to stand the test of time and continue to be an architectural landmark.

Beyond its function of connecting the two parts of the city, the bridge is also a major tourist attraction . Thousands of visitors come each year to admire its majesty and enjoy the panoramic views it offers of the Tajo Gorge and the Guadalevín River . From the viewing platforms in Plaza de España or Ernest Hemingway Street, the bridge offers a unique perspective that leaves anyone who contemplates it breathless.

But beyond this bridge, Ronda offers a variety of activities for travelers. One of the most recommended experiences is exploring the Tajo Gorge , an impressive natural canyon that allows visitors to enjoy the beauty of the landscape and the biodiversity of the area. In its first year of opening, between April 2024 and April 2025, the gorge welcomed nearly 160,000 visitors, establishing itself as one of the province's main tourist attractions.

You can also visit the Plaza de Toros, one of the oldest and most monumental bullrings in Spain. It's known as the birthplace of modern bullfighting , linked to the Romero dynasty and the figure of Pedro Romero. Inside, you can visit the Bullfighting Museum and stroll around the ring.

Ronda's Arab baths are also worth a visit. Built in the 13th century, they are some of the best-preserved on the Iberian Peninsula. Located in the old Muslim quarter of San Miguel, they retain their original structure with cold, warm, and hot water chambers and an underground heating system.