The name Palacio de Mondragón is very well-known in Ronda.
But its other name, Palacio del Marqués de Villasierra (once a very important resident of Ronda), is less well-known.
In any case, this palace is Ronda's most important monument (besides the bridge and the bullring), for both historical and architectural reasons.
There is a legend that this was the residence of the great Moorish king Abbel Malik. He was the son of the Sultan of Morocco, Abul Asan. A few years after his death, the then-kingdom of Ronda passed into the hands of Granada, just before Ronda was conquered by Catholic soldiers. It is known that the last governor, Hamet el Zegri, lived in this palace.
To this day, it is not known exactly what the palace looked like during the Moorish period. A few Mudéjar remains provide a general idea. What is more known is that the most significant changes were made later by the Christian rulers. The current location of the garden, for example, dates from that period. The current Gothic-style patio and various wooden ceilings were built at that time.
The palace is now open to the public, very beautiful and well worth a visit. Not only can you admire the beautiful palace with its garden and stunning views, but it also houses a museum showcasing the history of the palace and the Ronda region.