hundred and ten feet in diameter; it is supported by
solid pillars of masonry, built from the bottom of the river, about
fifteen feet in thickness, which are fixed into the solid rock on both
sides, and on which the ends of the arch rest; other pillars are built to
support these principal ones, which are connected with them by other small
arches. But as it is difficult to describe such an edifice, I must refer
to the sketch I have made of it." (_See the Cut_.)

"A bridge was built on this spot in 1735, but the key-stone not having
been properly secured, it fell down in 1741, by which fifty persons were
killed. The present bridge was finished in 1774, by Don Joseph Martin
Aldeheula, a celebrated architect of Malaga; and appears so well
constructed as to bid defiance almost to time itself."

"It is impossible to convey an adequate idea of it: from below it appears
suspended in the air; and when upon the bridge, the river beneath appears
no longer a mighty torrent, but resembles a rippling brook. When standing
on the bridge, the optical delusion is very singular: the torrent of water
appears to run up a hill towards the bridge, and the same phenomenon takes
place when viewed in either direction."

"One of the streets of the city is built almost close to the edge of the
precipice, and stairs are hewn out of the solid rock, which lead to nooks
in the lower precipices, in which, though there is very little soil,
gardens have been formed, where fig and orange trees grow with
considerable luxuriance, and greatly contribute to the beauty of the
scenery. From the situation of Ronda on the top of a rock, water is scarce,
and stairs are constructed down to the river, by which means the
inhabitants are supplied. We descended by one flight of three hundred and
fifty steps, and at the bottom found a fine spring, in a large cave, which,
after turning a mill at its source, contributes to increase the waters of
the Guadiaro. From this spot, our view of the lofty bridge was most
striking and impressive, and the houses and churches of the city,
impending over our heads on both banks, had a most sublime effect. Beyond
the bridge, the river takes a turn to the right, and passes under the
Alameyda, from which, the precipice of five hundred feet is very bold and
abrupt, though interspersed with jutting prominences, covered with shrubs
and trees".

[5] Travels in the South of Spain. By William Jacob, Esq., M.P.,
F.R.S. 4to., 1