The Tajo de Ronda and the Legend of King Abomelic
The Tajo de Ronda is an imposing gorge that cuts the Malaga city in two. This geographical feature not only shapes the urban landscape but also holds stories that have been passed down for centuries. One of them, of medieval origin, connects the place with a drama of jealousy and revenge royal. The story is set in the time of Muslim rule, when Ronda was a key stronghold. 🏰
The Drama of King Abomelic and Queen Aldara
The legend tells that King Abomelic, who ruled the city, discovered that his wife, Queen Aldara, was having a relationship with another man. Blinded by rage and the feeling of dishonor, the monarch chose an extreme punishment. Instead of confining her, he took her to the very edge of the precipice. There, in front of the abyss, he pushed her into the void so that her body would crash against the rocks at the bottom. This act of revenge sought to cleanse his tarnished honor.
Key elements of the tragedy:- The setting: The edge of the Tajo, a place where the landscape becomes drama.
- The motive: The discovered infidelity that unleashes royal fury.
- The punishment: A public and symbolic execution using geography as the executioner.
Those who know the legend claim that when the wind blows strongly through the gorge, it is possible to perceive a peculiar sound rising from the depths.
The Echo That Does Not Fade in the Gorge
It is said that Aldara's last breath, her final moan of terror, did not disappear with her. Locals claim that when the strong air passes through the gorge, a unique sound can be heard emerging from the depths. Many associate that wind lament with the last sigh of the queen, an echo that time has not been able to silence and that blends with the sound of the Guadalevín River in its bed. 🌬️
Manifestations of the legend today:- The sound of the wind: A moan that many attribute to Aldara's spirit.
- The experience at the Puente Nuevo: A cold and peculiar sensation in certain gusts.
- The oral tradition: The story that endures and is told to visitors.
A Visit with History
If you walk across the Puente Nuevo and feel a stream of cold air, do not fear. It is probably the natural breeze of the gorge. However, out of caution, avoid whispering secrets or confessions near the edge. The legend of the Tajo de Ronda transforms a geographical visit into an immersion in a past where the landscape was witness and part of a human tragedy that still seems to breathe among the stones. 🌉