Trifter

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Gibraltar is a famous rock promontory belonging to the British, situated on the mythical Strait of Gibraltar, between the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, just off the coast of Spain. It is strategically located between Morocco and Spain, to which a sandy isthmus connects it. Gibraltar is a particularly intriguing site, giving the impression that it is a ‘no man’s land’, as it is neither in Spain or Great Britain, when in fact it is one of the most international places in Europe.

The Rock of Gibraltar is easily accessible by ferry to and from Morocco with more than a dozen daily crossings from the Port of Gibraltar to the Port of Tangier; the crossing of the Strait can take from 40 minutes to 1 hour and a half depending on the company you choose and the time of day. You can also access Gibraltar by car via the sandy strip of land leading into Spain, as many times you want for the customs are open 24 hours a day and the entry is free of charge. The actual border into Gibraltar from Spain lies just across from the Plaza de la Constitucion, the main square in the Spanish town of Linea.

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A good choice is to walk from Spain to Gibraltar or catch a bus at the Linea bus station, for at times by car, the customs control can be tiresome and time consuming. The strip of sand dividing the continent to the “Rock” is just 1.5 km into the town center, right across the airport runway; where flights also run regularly, from London and other European and overseas cities.

Historically the “Rock” is a fascinating landmark, for during the early Greek and Roman times Hercules designated Gibraltar as one of the pillars marking the edge of the world. An important discovery was made in 1848 and 1928, when skulls of the Neanderthal man were found. The Phoenicians and Greeks also inhabited the Rock, and later the Muslims invaded Spain through Gibraltar, marking a long period of influential Islamic reign.

Gibraltar officially became British land in 1713, when the Spanish yielded the territory to Great Britain after the signing of the Treaty of Utrecht. The British developed Gibraltar into an important naval base and kept their dominion over the Rock, although nowadays Gibraltar has its own independent government and parliament.

You can reach all the interesting sites on foot or by cable car, which rises up to 352 meters from the bottom station to the Upper Rock station. In the top station complex there is a self-service restaurant, pub and souvenir shop offering spectacular panoramic views over the Rock onto the Spanish coast.

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By cable car you can arrive at the Upper Rock Nature Reserve and explore the stunning network of limestone caves known as the St. Michael’s caves situated at 300 feet above sea level. These are in fact Neolithic caves lined with stalagmites and stalactites, comprising an Upper Hall baptized the Cathedral cave, which forks off in 5 different tunnel ramifications leading to smaller halls which in turn are connected to even smaller chambers; all these amazing succession of passages delve to a depth of 250 ft below the entrance. The Cathedral cave is opened to visitors and concerts are given regularly owing to the astounding acoustic affects.

There is so much to see on the Rock of Gibraltar with its network of uphill streets covering a surface area of only 7 kilometers. Buried under the Rock a maze of 70 kilometers of tunnels meander throughout its depths. These tunnels are known as the Great siege tunnels and are an ingenious example of an intricate defense system cut into the rock by the British during the siege of 177-83. You can reach the tunnel entrance just downhill from the top cable car station.

The city gates and fortifications that were fist built by the Moors must not be missed, they run around the entire inner city and are clearly visible to visitors due to their impressive and dominant strategic position. This is known as the Moorish Castle complex composed of buildings, gates and fortified walls, and looming at its peak is the Tower of Homage on the eastern boundary. Surrounding the tower are the Inner and Outer Keep, and on the West of these you will find the Qasbah with its extraordinary Gate House.

Further down on the Rock is the Old Town (Villa Vieja) with the Sea Gate and Casemates Gates of Barcina. This is the area where the original Moorish dockyard stood; here vestiges of Moorish fortifications still stand with examples of Islamic architecture of the period.

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A great panoramic spot is the Europa Point, which is located on the Southern tip of Gibraltar and towered by a 49 meters-tall lighthouse. It is the most southerly of all Trinity Lighthouses, being the only one outside Great Britain; its light can be spotted at a distance of 27 kilometers from out sea.

The Alameda Botanical Gardens are a harmony of beauty and botanical specimens, of strong Italian influence, with fountains, ponds and waterfalls. There are also numerous animal species such as the famous Rock Apes, originally from North Africa. Birds are also plentiful, the Barbary Partridge being Gibraltar’s unique bird, while off the Bay of Gibraltar whales, killer whales and dolphins can be spotted.

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The climate in Gibraltar is mild and in winter it will get no lower than 15° Celsius, while in summer it can climb up to 30°, going without rain for up to ninety days. The climate is probably at its best during autumn and spring.

Food and drink specialties specific to Gibraltar have a strong Spanish and Moroccan influence, the typical dishes being the Spinach Tortilla or Calentita and Panissa, which are sort of quiches made with chick pea flour. One can also find a variety of international cuisines with a choice between Chinese, French, Italian and many others.