History of Gibraltar

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• published: 14 Jan 2010
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The rock of Gibraltar occupies a strategic position at the eastern entrance to the narrow strait and guards the only exit from the Mediterranean to the wide ocean beyond. Gibraltar has been in the historical limelight for over 3,000 years. 4,000 years ago the ancient mariners daren't pass the rock for fear of the currents. The Phoenicians sailed past it and used it as an important landmark, marking the entrance to the Atlantic. The Greeks gave it the name Calpe which means urn, possibly because of its shape. The present name of Gibraltar comes from the Arabs who invaded Spain in the VIII century. Tarik was the 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. Tarik did not build the Moorish castle, nor did he found the city. Both were built five centuries after his death. He did however build a fortification along where Southport Gates now stand and up the side of the rock. It was in 1160 that the city was founded by the Sultan of Morocco, Abd-al-Mummin who built a castle and citadel. The first town was very small. 200 years later after the fall of Algeciras to the Christian forces, 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 wasn't until the time of Cromwell when Britain first became interested in the rock but it was not 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. 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. 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 artefacts dating back to pre-historic Gibraltar, when caves were occupied by the first settlers.

History of Gibraltar

• Report rights infringement
• published: 14 Jan 2010
• views: 15608

The rock of Gibraltar occupies a strategic position at the eastern entrance to the narrow strait and guards the only exit from the Mediterranean to the wide ocean beyond. Gibraltar has been in the historical limelight for over 3,000 years. 4,000 years ago the ancient mariners daren't pass the rock for fear of the currents. The Phoenicians sailed past it and used it as an important landmark, marking the entrance to the Atlantic. The Greeks gave it the name Calpe which means urn, possibly because of its shape. The present name of Gibraltar comes from the Arabs who invaded Spain in the VIII century. Tarik was the 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. Tarik did not build the Moorish castle, nor did he found the city. Both were built five centuries after his death. He did however build a fortification along where Southport Gates now stand and up the side of the rock. It was in 1160 that the city was founded by the Sultan of Morocco, Abd-al-Mummin who built a castle and citadel. The first town was very small. 200 years later after the fall of Algeciras to the Christian forces, 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 wasn't until the time of Cromwell when Britain first became interested in the rock but it was not 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. 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. 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 artefacts dating back to pre-historic Gibraltar, when caves were occupied by the first settlers.