Puente Nuevo

Puente Nuevo is an 18th-century stone bridge in Ronda, Andalusia, Spain, that spans the deep El Tajo gorge and links the city’s old and new quarters; construction was completed in 1793.

The bridge rises dramatically above the gorge and features a large central arch and a smaller pair of side openings; the structure includes a vaulted chamber above the arch that visitors can see from the bridge face. Walkways and viewpoints on both sides of the gorge offer panoramic views along the drop of roughly 100 metres to the river below and along the city cliffs.

Construction began in the mid-18th century after earlier crossing attempts and was finished in 1793; the bridge was built to provide a permanent connection between the two halves of Ronda and the chamber above the arch has historically been used for administrative and prison purposes. Over time the structure became the city’s principal landmark and focal point for visitors.

The bridge sits in central Ronda on the deep limestone gorge called El Tajo, a short walk from the town’s historic centre. Ronda itself is inland in western Andalusia and is reached by road from Málaga and Seville; the bridge dominates the townscape and its narrow streets lead directly to the bridge plazas.

• Access: Access to the top level of the bridge is possible on foot from the town, but expect steps and narrow streets around the bridge plaza.
• Best viewing time: Late afternoon light highlights the stonework and the vertical walls of the gorge, making this a popular time for photography.

What to See #

• Central chamber: A chamber set above the central arch originally used for administrative and prison purposes; it now houses interpretive displays and is visible through small windows in the bridge face.
• El Tajo viewpoints: Clifftop viewpoints on both sides of the gorge give panoramic views down the El Tajo chasm and along the bridge; the best-known viewpoints are on the old-town and new-town edges of the bridge.