Welcome to Gibraltar
Where History, Nature & Culture comes together
“Legend has it Hercules stood gazing at the land barrier keeping the Atlantic Ocean back from filling the Mediterranean desert. Looking left his hand grasped Mons Abyla, to his right he took hold of Mons Calpe. Summoning all his strength he pushed the two mountains apart opening a rift between Africa and Europe that still keeps the two continents apart to this day. It is here you will find the ‘Rock’, Gateway to the Mediterranean and the land of the Gibraltarian’s, keepers of the Straits and Guardians of his legacy.”
‘The Rock’, formed millions of years ago has attracted thousands of visitors and we hope that after browsing this website you will be next. The Romans called it Mons Calpe, however the Moors called it ‘Jebel Tariq’ (Tariq’s Mountain) after General Tariq Ibn Zayed who captured it in AD 711. You and I know it as the ‘Rock of Gibraltar’. Although, we suggest you call it your next holiday because for a day, a long weekend or a longer holiday you’ll not find a destination with the variety, sightseeing, weather or welcome in just over 6 square kilometres. The most famous landmark at the entrance to the beautiful Mediterranean Sea, Gibraltar has literally been a place to stop for the nations of the world since the dawn of sailing. Gibraltarian’s, Britons, Spaniards, Italians, Maltese, Moors, Greeks, Visigoths, Romans and earliest of all, according to archaeological research, Neanderthal Man. They all came, seen, and all desired to conquer although few succeeded.
The very rock it is made out of is 200 million year old Jurassic Limestone and if that isn’t enough to blow your mind think of this. The Rock itself is formed from layer upon layer of sea sediment and shells from crustaceans compacting together to form limestone. Positioned at the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula, Gibraltar is not an island as many believe but an isthmus, which given its geographical location has earned itself a unique position in history. There are over 130 caves in the Rock inside of which ancient people sheltered from the elements. In more recent times visitors have taken to the Rock for a different kind of refuge and each added to its blend of culture. Today Gibraltar enjoys a mixture of customs, a colourful language and a religious tolerance that is unique in the world. Gibraltarian’s are bi-lingual in both English and Spanish and after more than 300 years of British influence they have a British sense of humour and fair play with a Latin vibrancy. We hope you too will enjoy the enigma that is Gibraltar just like the millions of that come to explore the hidden secrets of the Rock before you.