Banos Arabes (Arab Baths)

The 11th century Arab Baths in Ronda are considered one of the best preserved in Europe. Amazingly, the baths continued to be used until the 17th century.

According to Muslin custom of the time, one had to be purified before entering the city. Thus, the location of the baths is next to the Puente Arabe.

My first visit to the Arab Baths in Ronda was in March of 1999. At that time the baths were under renovation but workman granted me access to the site, no charge but they incorrectly told me I was not allowed to take photographs inside the baths. Today, there is a fee for visiting the Arab Baths.

The Arab Baths are composed of three interconnecting chambers. When the baths were in use each chamber was maintained at a different temperature, hot to cold.

By the 19th century the Arab Bath's had been converted to agricultural usage, there is also the ruins of a kiln on the site in which ceramics were fired. In the 20th century much of the site was converted into use as a private garden.

Photo right - within the last chamber of the Arab Baths is a small theater. In the theater a repeating movie explains how water was handled before modern pumps, heating and piping systems; this is a good informative film.