The evolution of Ronda's Iglesia de Santa María la Mayor

The Iglesia de Santa María la Mayor in Ronda, located on the Plaza de la Duquesa de Parcent, stands on the site of the city's old mosque from the 13th century. Remains of the mosque's mihrab are preserved within the structure. Construction on the church began shortly after the conquest of the plaza in 1486 by Christian troops, and the building reflects different architectural styles from the various stages of its execution over more than two centuries.

The lower part of the church is built in the Gothic style, featuring three naves separated by pointed arches supported by fasciculated pillars. While the space was initially covered with a wooden ceiling, 17th-century work replaced it with semi-spherical vaults decorated with cartouches. This section marks the final configuration of the church's base.

The choir of the church underwent a significant transformation after a 1580 earthquake destroyed the previous structure. The reconstruction, which lasted until approximately 1720, adopted a monumental Mannerist style. This new section added height and features striated columns with high bases, leading up to prominent Corinthian capitals and an entablature decorated with cartouches.

The exterior features a brick facade and tower built after lightning destroyed the previous facade in 1523. In the early 17th century, a triple gallery was added to provide views of the spectacles held in the adjacent plaza. The church was officially declared a Bien de Interés Cultural in 1931.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons