Occupying a strategic location at the eastern entrance to the narrow strait, the Rock of Gibraltar guards the only exit from the Mediterranean to the wide ocean beyond. Gibraltar has been at the forefront of History for over 3000 years. Over 4000 years ago ancient mariners feared the sight of the Rock of Gibraltar due to the totally, at that time, impassible straits. Eventually the Phoenicians managed to sail past the Rock and used it as an important landmark, marking it the entrance to the Atlantic. The Greeks gave it the name Calpe which means urn (it is believed by historians that this naming was down to the shape of the Rock). Arabs who invaded Spain in the VIII century and the Rock was renamed. Tarik, originally a slave, was the new leader of the invading army. Since then the rock has been known as Gibel Tarik - the mountain of Tarik. The Arabic name has altered over the centuries to its present form of Gibraltar.
Both the founding of the city of Gibraltar and the construction of the Moorish Castle occurred five centuries after the death of Tarik. He was, however, credited with building a fortification along where Southport Gates now stand and up the side of the rock. It wasn't until 1160 that the city was officially founded by the Sultan of Monaco, Abd-al-Mummin, who proceeded to build a castle and citadel. The first town was very small and consisted of less than 300 inhabitants.
200 years later Algeciras fell to the Christian forces, thereupon the city of Gibraltar was extended as far as Southport Gates. The present line of Main Street is almost the same today as it was 600 years ago when it was built by the Muslims. It was during the capture of Gibraltar by the Castillians (1309-1333) that the streets of the lower town were constructed and Gibraltar became a substantial city.
It was Cromwell who first expressed some interest in Gibraltar, but it wasn't captured until the War of the Spanish Succession. Gibraltar became a British garrison in 1830 and was declared a colony. Spain has never been able to accept the loss of Gibraltar with good grace and twice during the 18th century she tried to recapture it without success. The first time was the short siege of 1727, even after 14 years previously signing the Treaty of Utrecht wherein they renounced al claims to the colony. There was a more serious attempt during the American Revolution when Spain joined forces with France in the war with a specific aim of taking Gibraltar. The Great Siege commenced on June 21st 1779 and lasted nearly 4 years. During this time the rock was defended by a force of 7,000, commanded by the Governor, General Sir George Eliott. The battle eventually ended on February 2nd 1783. The city took many years to rebuild, hence the lack of Moorish buildings remaining here.
Another siege was put into effect recently, beginning on the 8th June 1968, where General Franco closed the frontier gates which did not re-open until Midnight 4th February 1985. The opening of the frontier was a begrudging one and still, to this day, Spain continues to cause problems (mostly delaying entrance and exit by taking their time checking documentation and searching cars.)
Gibraltar has been a fortress for centuries and evidence of this is to be found all over the rock, from guns to battlements and gun turrets. The museum of Gibraltar houses an impressive collection of artifacts dating back to pre-historic Gibraltar, when caves were occupied by the first settlers. A gentle taxi ride around the Rock or, for the more adventurous, a climb up the Rock stairs will prove a most educational and fun afternoon out.
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History
