Ermita rupestre mozárabe de la oscuridad

Cave Hermitage of Darkness

It lives up to its name and has remained hidden, preserving its history of grievances and acceptance among races. Muslim victors and the defeated, united only by the occupation of the same land. The Hispano-Gothic communities, who had surrendered to the Muslim conquest in 711 AD, continued to inhabit their land, maintaining their beliefs and customs. They are the Mozarabs.

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Geological evolution

The complex of the Hermitage of Darkness (in use before the 9th century), is an archaeological area located in the Ronda municipality, in the province of Málaga, excavated in the stone and possibly the only one located on urban land.

To know its origin, we must first know the Geological evolution of Andalusia:

The primary era

01

(575 million years ago), the Hercynian orogeny occurred and the Central Plateau emerged.

Secondary era

02

(225 million years ago), between the Central Plateau and the North African Massif, a seabed was formed where all the materials eroded by the folding were deposited.

Tertiary era

03

(65 million years ago), the alpine folding occurred, which gave rise to the emergence of the Baetic mountain ranges. The southern edge of the Plateau also rises, giving rise to Sierra Morena. Depressions such as Bética and the Strait of Gibraltar also form, which are flooded by the sea. In this Era is when the cave that gives rise to the Hermitage emerges. Shells and marine fossils can be seen embedded in its stones, which demonstrate its origin under the sea.

Quaternary era

04

(Two million years ago), the current relief was slightly shaped, river terraces were created, and glacial phenomena occurred.

Liturgical use

It is believed that originally, it was used by the Visigoths as a living area and shelter.

It is a rock cave in which a hermit lived at the time, who would later be joined by others with the same beliefs and interests, creating a monastery.
The church is integrated into a set of housing and burial structures of the community that lived there.

This Mozarabic community of Christian rites, which lived in the Arab civilization (9th and 10th centuries), could maintain its cults, as long as it was done without disturbing the Arabs, and to do so they had to seek refuge on the outskirts of Ronda and bury their dead there.

In the Rupestre Hermitage comple

Three distinct areas can be identified based on their use or function, but they are clearly related:

01

A cultural area

It occupies three-quarters of the total surface area and consists of a large central space or nave resembling a large rectangle, measuring ten by eight metres, with several interior apses and openings to the exterior, running along its east-west longitudinal axis. On the north side of this nave, there are three irregular semicircular cavities, which may have had a liturgical purpose, such as serving as the first triple apse of the complex. On the south side of the central nave, there are wide entrances to the church that connect to the rest of the rock complex on the outside.

02

A necropolis area

It extends both inside and outside the chapel and consists of burials in elongated niches. It would have been a Christian necropolis where the small community that attended the church and people from neighbouring Ronda were buried.

03

A living area

It consists of two annexes that could have housed a very small monastic community.

The Mozarabic Rock Hermitage of Darkness

has initiated proceedings to designate it as a Site of Cultural Interest, for its protection.

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Prices and schedules

Prices

Individual

2,50€

Price per person.
Groups (More than 6 people).

2€

Also students under 26 years of age, retirees, unemployed and neighbors residing in Ronda.
Children (under 14 years old)

Gratis - 0€

Notice: Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult.

Schedules

Visits by appointment only

Please contact us to arrange your visit.

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Protección de datos

Tratamiento de datos de los clientes

Clausula informativa:

Responsable: Fernando Ponce de León Docio, propietario y gerente de Apartamentos Turísticos Los Arrayanes, N.I.F.: 00642676X, con dirección postal: Calle Entre Arroyos nº 1, piso 14, letra C, C.P. 28030 Madrid. Teléfono: 619559096. Correo electrónico: los_arrayanes2006@yahoo.es .

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