History
Dominated by a huge mass of limestone rock, riddled with caves thought to
be at least 135 million years old, Gibraltar has a fantastically varied history.
The rock has always been of special significance by the civilisations that
have occupied it. Although its physical shape and geographical location
makes it the world's strategic crossroads, it has been of great
importance to both Muslims and Christians.
The Moorish conquest of Spain started from Gibraltar, and the
same goes for Spain, with the final recapture of their country in
1462.
Visited by a large number of civilisations (amongst them the
Romans), Gibraltar takes its current name from the Berber leader
that conquered it in 711, Tarik Ibn Zeyad. It was in his honour
that the Rock was called Jabal Tarik, (the mountain of Tarik in
Arabic).
In 1462, the Moors were driven from the rock for the last time
after having held it for over seven centuries. It remained a
Spanish possession until the 18th century, where The Rock was
then captured by an Anglo-Dutch force in 1704 and was finally
conceded to Britain with the signing of the Utrecht Treaty in
1713.
The Moorish castle
Little is known of the history of the castle. It is
believed the castle was already there when the
Moors invaded Gibraltar. In 1068, the governor of
Algeciras ordered the building of a fort on Jabal
Tarik (Gibraltar) to guard and watch events on the
other side of the strait. This could be the origin of
the Tower of Homage. In the 14th century,
the castle was rebuilt to its present form. It is of
great importance to the Muslims as it stands on the site where the very
first Moorish fortification was ever built on European soil. Another major
feature of The Moorish castle lies in the fact that it has the largest Castle
Keep and the Tallest Tower in the whole of the Iberian Peninsula.
The Great Siege Tunnels
These tunnels built inside the Rock of Gibraltar, are
considered as the most ingenious defence system
devised by man. Originally, they were thought to have
been built to store ammunition, during the Great siege
between 1779 and 1783, Spain's last unsuccessful
attempt to recapture the Rock from the British.
The Rock Apes
Better known as the Barbary Apes, they are the only wild living monkeys in
Europe.
It used to be said that the Moors must have brought the first Apes to the
Rock or that they have found their own way through a tunnel under the
Straits all the way from Africa to St Michael's cave.
In 1900, it was estimated that around 200 apes lived on the Rock.
Nevertheless, their days were numbered due to starvation, diseases and
fighting between themselves for survival. The Spanish saying "when the
Apes leave the rock, the British will go too", must have saved them from
extinction Even during world War Two, the Apes were not forgotten. At Sir
Winston Churchill's orders, measures were taken for their protection and
survival.
The Europa point
At Europa Point, the southern tip of Gibraltar, you can look over Africa
where a sharp line marks the junction of the Atlantic and the
Mediterranean. Around that area, are the Christian Shrine of Our Lady of
Europe, which used to be a mosque prior to the 14th century and close by
is the lighthouse and a new Mosque.
Changing the Guards
At intervals throughout the year, the military ceremony of Changing the
Guard, takes place in front of the Convent (the Governor's residence) and
the historic "ceremony of the keys" is performed at Casemates.
Dolphin safari
From the Marina, there are daily excursions to see dolphins in the waters
surrounding Gibraltar.
Shopping in Gibraltar
Main Street and Irish town are a favourite for visitors who enjoy browsing
and bargain hunting. With the mixture of cultures, the range of goods is
impressive. You may be able to get cheaper goods such as watches,
jewellery, perfumes, tobacco, spirits and cashmere.
Dominated by a huge mass of limestone rock, riddled with caves thought to
be at least 135 million years old, Gibraltar has a fantastically varied history.
The rock has always been of special significance by the civilisations that
have occupied it. Although its physical shape and geographical location
makes it the world's strategic crossroads, it has been of great
importance to both Muslims and Christians.
The Moorish conquest of Spain started from Gibraltar, and the
same goes for Spain, with the final recapture of their country in
1462.
Visited by a large number of civilisations (amongst them the
Romans), Gibraltar takes its current name from the Berber leader
that conquered it in 711, Tarik Ibn Zeyad. It was in his honour
that the Rock was called Jabal Tarik, (the mountain of Tarik in
Arabic).
In 1462, the Moors were driven from the rock for the last time
after having held it for over seven centuries. It remained a
Spanish possession until the 18th century, where The Rock was
then captured by an Anglo-Dutch force in 1704 and was finally
conceded to Britain with the signing of the Utrecht Treaty in
1713.
The Moorish castle
Little is known of the history of the castle. It is
believed the castle was already there when the
Moors invaded Gibraltar. In 1068, the governor of
Algeciras ordered the building of a fort on Jabal
Tarik (Gibraltar) to guard and watch events on the
other side of the strait. This could be the origin of
the Tower of Homage. In the 14th century,
the castle was rebuilt to its present form. It is of
great importance to the Muslims as it stands on the site where the very
first Moorish fortification was ever built on European soil. Another major
feature of The Moorish castle lies in the fact that it has the largest Castle
Keep and the Tallest Tower in the whole of the Iberian Peninsula.
The Great Siege Tunnels
These tunnels built inside the Rock of Gibraltar, are
considered as the most ingenious defence system
devised by man. Originally, they were thought to have
been built to store ammunition, during the Great siege
between 1779 and 1783, Spain's last unsuccessful
attempt to recapture the Rock from the British.
The Rock Apes
Better known as the Barbary Apes, they are the only wild living monkeys in
Europe.
It used to be said that the Moors must have brought the first Apes to the
Rock or that they have found their own way through a tunnel under the
Straits all the way from Africa to St Michael's cave.
In 1900, it was estimated that around 200 apes lived on the Rock.
Nevertheless, their days were numbered due to starvation, diseases and
fighting between themselves for survival. The Spanish saying "when the
Apes leave the rock, the British will go too", must have saved them from
extinction Even during world War Two, the Apes were not forgotten. At Sir
Winston Churchill's orders, measures were taken for their protection and
survival.
The Europa point
At Europa Point, the southern tip of Gibraltar, you can look over Africa
where a sharp line marks the junction of the Atlantic and the
Mediterranean. Around that area, are the Christian Shrine of Our Lady of
Europe, which used to be a mosque prior to the 14th century and close by
is the lighthouse and a new Mosque.
Changing the Guards
At intervals throughout the year, the military ceremony of Changing the
Guard, takes place in front of the Convent (the Governor's residence) and
the historic "ceremony of the keys" is performed at Casemates.
Dolphin safari
From the Marina, there are daily excursions to see dolphins in the waters
surrounding Gibraltar.
Shopping in Gibraltar
Main Street and Irish town are a favourite for visitors who enjoy browsing
and bargain hunting. With the mixture of cultures, the range of goods is
impressive. You may be able to get cheaper goods such as watches,
jewellery, perfumes, tobacco, spirits and cashmere.
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COSTA HOLIDAYS
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