The church of Santa Marîa la Mayor is without doubt one of Ronda’s most important religious monuments.

According to archaeological studies carried out in the area, this building stood very close to the remains Paleo-Christian basilisk, though some historians date it as far back as Roman times, when it would have served as a temple. No archaeological evidence has yet been found to support the latter theory.

Later, during the Islamic occupation, the high mosque of La Medina was built on this same site. Only the Mirhab arch now remains of this building, along with a section of wall with Ataurique decoration which is hidden behind the altarpiece of the altar known as El Sagrario.

Following the conquest of the town, the Catholic Monarchs ordered a church to be built in place of the mosque. Work began in 1485 and, following a series of vicissitudes, finally concluded in the late 17th century.

Its three naves are built in gothic style. Although the earthquake of 1580 destroyed part of the original construction, thus spoiling its gothic purity to a degree, the style is still clearly visible in its embedded columns and the ogives of the arches that they support. These in turn stand on continuous capitals with thistle-shaped and anthropomorphic floral motifs.

The Renaissance area of the church is worthy of note, featuring an exquisite two-level choir built from cedar and walnut. The lower level contains twelve seats whose backs are adorned with carved symbols of the litanies of the Virgin Mary, while the upper level comprises twenty-four seats backed with delightful carvings of the Sacred Heart, the apostles and saints.

The church is finished off with a number of Baroque features as a result of its completion during this architectural period. The highlight of these is the altarpiece of the Virgen del Mayor Dolor, which is divided into three sections with a profusion of lateral decoration. A large space framed by a Roman arch leads to the chamber which houses the image of the Virgen de los Dolores, attributed by some to Montañês and by others to "La Roldana".