Gibraltar...
When you first see the Rock of Gibraltar, whether it is from the air, from the sea or from either the Costa del Sol or the western end of the Bay, it is its impressive stature, towering isolated above the surrounding countryside, that causes the greatest impact. It has had this effect on people for many thousands of years. Gibraltar is a beacon which signals the position of the Strait of Gibraltar, the narrow neck which separates Europe from Africa and provides the only link between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. 200 million years ago the lump of limestone, which we call Gibraltar, was forced up from the sea bed when Africa barged into Europe and it now remains as a narrow peninsula stuck to the end of the Iberian Peninsula.
For the person interested in natural history, whether it is on land or sea, Gibraltar is incredibly rich and full of surprises at any time of the year. It is a combination of geographical location, climate and a unique history, together with the preservation of areas of habitat, which has made it a tiny paradise for wildlife. Gibraltar has always been of special significance to the numerous peoples and civilisations which have visited or occupied it over the ages, from the Neanderthal period, through the Classical and on to the Moorish, Spanish and the present British occupations.
The Moorish occupation is, by far, the longest in Gibraltar's recorded history, having lasted from 711 to 1309 and then from 1350 to 1462, a total of 710 years and Gibraltar is reputed to have derived its present day name as a breakdown of Djebel Tarik, the Rock of Tarik.
The Moorish Castle Complex is made up of various buildings, gates, fortified walls and its most dominant features, The Tower of Homage and The Gate House. The former is an impressive sight, clearly visible to all visitors, not only because of its striking construction but also because of its dominant and strategic position. Little is known of its actual history but some chroniclers claim that its origins date to the 8th Century when The Castle, in its simplest form, is reputed to have been completed by Tarik. In the early 14th Century The Castle was rebuilt to its present form. It, therefore, stands now on the actual site where the very first Moorish fortification ever constructed on European soil stood. After the Great Siege of 1783, development of Gibraltar's military defence began; a process that continued throughout the years until the Second World War. Visitors can appreciate the great feat of engineering achieved at the Great Siege Tunnels, as indeed in all the other tunnels and chambers that have been dug in the Rock.
The Military Heritage Centre is housed in one of the many chambers found in the Rock. In fact this particular Battery, known as Princess Caroline's Battery, is named after King George II's third daughter and was built in 1732. The armoury displays a selection of weapons used by the British Army in Gibraltar and there are also relics dating from the Great Siege of 1783 to the present day. In the Memorial Chamber, visitors have the opportunity to honour and remember all those men and women who have over the ages dedicated themselves to the service of the Nation in the Armed Forces. You will find the Roll Call of all the Regiments that have served in Gibraltar since 1704. Europa Point is the southernmost tip of Gibraltar, and the home to the lighthouse. This lighthouse is the most southerly of all Trinity House Lighthouses, being the only one outside the United Kingdom.
St Michael's Cave has interested visitors to Gibraltar ever since the Romans. The Cathedral Cave was long believed to be bottomless, probably giving birth to the story that Gibraltar was linked to Africa by a subterranean passage over 15 miles (24 Km) long under the Straits of Gibraltar. During World War II the cave was prepared as an emergency hospital, but was never used as such. Whilst blasting an alternative entrance to the cave, a further series of deeply descending chambers ending in a mini lake were discovered and named Lower St Michael's Cave. The Cathedral Cave is opened to visitors and makes a unique auditorium for concerts, ballets, drama and presentations.
At the Apes' Den (Queen's Gate) and in the area of the Great Siege Tunnels you have the rare opportunity to see semi-wild primates at close quarters. If you let them, these monkeys will be their captivating selves and show you aspects of their everyday lives. The Apes are a species of tailless monkeys called Barbary Macaques. These Macaques can be found in Morocco and Algeria, with those in Gibraltar being the only free-living monkeys in Europe today. Please do not touch them; they may bite if frightened or annoyed!
Every corner of the Rock oozes with history and it could be worthwhile finding out a little more by taking a guided tour. You might learn, for example, about the spot where Admiral Nelson's body was brought ashore after his victory at the Battle of Trafalgar, or of the tunnel from where General Eisenhower masterminded the invasion of North Africa in World War II.

Cadiz , Ceuta , Cordoba , Gibraltar , Granada , Grazalema Natural Park , Istan , Malaga , Marrakesh , Mijas Pueblo , Morrocco , Ojen , Ronda , Seville , Tangier ,
Tarifa ,

Powered by spainsaver.com info pages