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The Puente Nuevo
Blue Monday
Sep 23
Other Scottish Country Dances for this Day
Today's Musings, History & Folklore
"Ronda is the place where you should go if you ever go to Spain on a honeymoon or if you ever bolt with anyone."
~ Ernest Hemingway, 1932
If blue Mondays there must be, then dance the blues away! This sky-blue strathsspey was, according to the devisor, "following a visit to the Andalusian town of Ronda in Southern Spain. Ronda is an ancient Moorish stronghold and is rich in mediaeval Arabic architecture, characterised by its regular geometric structUres. This dance, featuring several square and circular figures, is a representation of the Ronda buildings, and takes its name from the blue sky above the town on Ihat June morning.” Founded in ancient times, Ronda was an important Moorish stronghold, evident in its medieval Arabic architecture, including the Arab Baths and the Palacio de Mondragón. The iconic Puente Nuevo, a stone bridge that spans the gorge, is one of Ronda’s most famous landmarks. The town is also home to Spain’s oldest bullring, the Plaza de Toros de Ronda, which played a significant role in the history of bullfighting! 💙 🕺 💃 🇪🇸
Ronda Blue
Ronda, a picturesque town in the province of Málaga, Spain, boasts a rich history dating back to ancient times. Originally settled by the Celts in the 6th century BCE, Ronda became an important hub under Roman rule, known as Acinipo. Its strategic location atop a dramatic gorge, the El Tajo, offered a natural fortress, making it a desirable settlement throughout different periods of conquest. The remnants of Roman amphitheaters and baths still echo the grandeur of that era.
During the Moorish occupation in the 8th century, Ronda flourished as an important cultural and political center under the Islamic rule of Al-Andalus. The Moors left an indelible mark on the town with intricate architecture, particularly in its old town, La Ciudad. Ronda’s iconic Puente Nuevo (New Bridge) over the El Tajo gorge was completed in 1793, symbolizing the city's architectural ingenuity.
By the 19th century, Ronda became a romanticized destination for artists, writers, and bandoleros (bandits), capturing the imagination of poets like Rainer Maria Rilke and Ernest Hemingway. Today, it remains a jewel of Andalusia, blending its diverse past with the natural beauty of its surroundings.
For more armchair traveling to Ronda, click the statue of the bull!
Click the dance cribs or description below to link to a printable version of the dance!
