European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - February 20, 1986, Darmstadt, Hesse                                A Cut Spanish town rides two worlds the Gorge where Fate River Caudal even splits the Spanish tonn of Konda. Story and photos by Tony Nauroth stall writer Ronda Spain has a split personality. It sits on a Cloven Rock above the andalusian Plain As if god had taken an axe to an old slump and split it just for a Lark. The town s distinguishing feature is the 225-foot a cup chasm that twists through the Center of the Rock splitting the old Barrio of san Francisco from the newer Mercadillo Section. The biblical verse warns that what cod Halh put together let no Man tear asunder. But what of those things that cod tears asunder in Ronda Man has indeed put the two halves of the Rock together with a massive Stone Bridge Over the cad Levin River. That Bridge the new Bridge is one wildly defiant Structure. You can simply drive Over it to get from Point a to Point b and be completely oblivious to the Way architecture tempts Fate. To really appreciate is breathless mass you must Stop and hang around the Arches or a while. Viewed from either Side where the White Homes and hanging gardens cling to the edges of Chalk Chilli. The 200-year-old Span is awesome. It s most interesting feature is what used to be a Dungeon built into its Center Section. Now it s a bar and restaurant with barrel ceiling vaults fireplaces and Iron Grill balconies on either Side where Light filters in and where visitors venture out with mincing Steps and a firm grip on the Iron Grill work. Ronda is a tourist town but it s full of nooks and crannies where no native of Poughkeepsie n y Ever set foot. A fun thing to do is to pick out the architectural touches that Echo the one Kilometre Long Cleft through the town. Some of the streets Are inlaid with tiles that repeat patterns that separate into twos. The Church of Charity bears the moorish influence found in much of the old City where arabic Iron Grill work and quiet courtyards accent the very White Homes. With its two Belltower and symmetrical design the Church displays an Odd discrepancy right in the Center where a split eave and Niche Echo the character of the chasm. Kex the re tre other hints of interest. Underground moorish Baths at the base of the Rock wait for thick legged walkers sturdy enough to make the climb. There Are two other Bridges that Span the Gorge at lower Levels and on the opposite Side of the Rock from the new Bridge. These Are the arabian Bridge and the old Bridge. An 18th-Century bullring with museum lies a Block from Al Tajo the local Spanish nickname of the chasm it Means deep Cut. A monastery anchors the far end of san Francisco and the City s architecture is a special treat to classify and study up close if you re into that sort of Challenge. Narrow paths Lead Down the face of the Rock in 4 stripes Magazine february 20,1986