Municipality of Nuestra Senora del Socorro - Ronda

The Church of Socorro de Ronda, located in the square of the same name, is a new church since the previous one was completely destroyed and burned down in 1936.

There is no concrete evidence of its foundation, but it is said that the primitive hermitage was built on the spot where, during the conquest of the city, the Royal Master of Calatrava, then the Infirmary and finally the Hospital for the Poor and Pilgrims , which was called Socorro. The hospital was consecrated on November 2, 1557 by the Bishop of Málaga, Don Francisco de Pacheco de Córdoba.

In the early 18th century the chapel was demolished and a new, larger church was built . Construction was directed by Don F. Gil Ginete, who collected alms and donations for the work. The new church was begun in 1706 and opened for worship three years later.

In the 19th century, due to the area's population growth, the city council requested that the number of parishes in the market area be expanded . Among them was the application to found the Iglesia del Socorro as an independent parish. In 1833 she was appointed by Pope Alexander III. established as a parish. In the middle of the century, the parish priest of Ronda wanted to transfer the parish of Socors to the monastery of Mercè, which had disappeared.

The 18th-century building had been restored before the fire. The church lay parallel to the square, i.e. in the opposite direction to the current church. It had a single barrel-vaulted nave with lunettes and sash windows dividing it into three bays.

The current building is completely new and nothing has been carried over from the old one. The project was designed in 1950 and 1956 by the Malaga-born architect Enrique Atencia.

The plan of the new church is square with three naves and five domes covered, one in the cross and four in the corners of the square. Around it are several chapels . All roofs are decorated with baroque plaster. The facade is flanked by two quadrangular towers, with a bell tower smaller than the base and topped by tiled spiers. The facade is of stone with a semicircular arch between paired pilasters supporting a split pediment. Above is a niche with the Christ Child mentioned . It ends with a curved pediment of broken lines supported by large corbels. On the tympanum is a large imperial shield between cartouches.

Willem Vandenameele