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The New Gate - Puerta de Felipe V and the Palacio del Marques de Salvatierra
The Gate (Arch) of Phillip the 5th was built around 1742/44. During the 1700's the city of Ronda was growing and by the mid 18th century traffic from the north and east was constricted by two small bridges, the Puente Romano and the Puente Viejo. In response the city started construction on a third bridge, at the current site of the Puente Nuevo, but before it was even completed it collapsed. Still needing to improve access to the city, a stairway on the northeast side of the city was dismantled and a roadway was put in its place. The Arco de Felipe (Arch of Phillip 5) was constructed as a part of this roadway project. |
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Photo above - looking upward to the new gate
Photo left- If there were no cars you could easily confuse this road with a pedestrian pathway . |
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The Gate of Phillip V is located about half way between the Arab Baths and the Palacio del Marques de Salvatierra
Go uphill (west) from the new gate and you will find the Palacio del Marques de Salvatierra . The Palace del Marques de Salvatierra is privately owned but does open to the public. The most notable attribute of this 18th century palace is its carved stone, baroque, entrance portal.
Photo Above - the stone carved facade of Palacio del Marques de Salvatierra was added in 1748
The four fiqures on the portal are believed to personify natives of South America but some, perhaps incorrectly, see a suggestion of Adam and Eve in the effigies. |
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Everytime I have been near the Palace of Marques it has been closed. I have never been beyond its portal.
Historically the Palace has been open for guided visits every half hour. 11:00 - 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Closed Thursdays and Sunday afternoons and when the owner is in residence. |
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A close up look at the carved fiqures shows what appears to be a male and female posed on each side of the portal. The female holds her hands over her privates, in an apparent attempt at modesty, while the male appears to be sticking out his tongue. The entrance of the Palace opens into a large courtyard.
Check out the 200 year old New Bridge
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Ronda,
The new gate and the "Palacio del Marques de Salvatierra" |
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