The History of Gibraltar
Gibraltar history: Gibraltar is a rock with a special status. This unique piece of land on the European continent has a special history. This goes back to the 18th century when an English and Dutch fleet conquered Gibraltar. With Gibraltar’s strategic location, it is not surprising that the peninsula has been conquered and reconquered several times throughout history. The rock has been in the hands of the British since 1713.
The History of Gibraltar Rock
The history of Gibraltar, a small peninsula on the southern Iberian coast near the entrance to the Mediterranean Sea, spans over 2,900 years. The peninsula changed from a sacred place in ancient times to “one of the most densely fortified and contested places in Europe”, as stated by the historian Rose.
Gibraltar’s location has given it an important role in the history of Europe and its walled city, founded in medieval times, has hosted garrisons that have withstood numerous sieges and battles over the centuries. Gibraltar was first inhabited over 50,000 years ago by Neanderthals and may have been one of their last places of habitation before they became extinct some 10,000 years later.
The Gibraltar history : The written history of Gibraltar begins around 950 BC. C. with the Phoenicians, who settled near the strait. Carthaginians and Romans later venerated Hercules in sanctuaries apparently built on the rock of Gibraltar, called Mons Calpe, “Hollow Mountain”, and considered one of the two pillars of Hercules.
The Story of Gibraltar History
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Neanderthals in Gibraltar
Gibraltar history: However, the rock had been inhabited for much longer. In several caves, such as Gorham’s cave, evidence of Neanderthal habitation was found. Just after the Second World War, prehistoric tools and old hearths were found in this cave. At that time, the sea level was still a lot lower and the Rock of Gibraltar was located on an open plain. The higher cave was an excellent shelter for the prehistoric inhabitants of the area.
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Romans in Gibraltar
Gibraltar history: In ancient times, Gibraltar was mainly used as a place of worship. No evidence of longer occupation has been found. Only Roman cities were founded nearby. Protective deities are honored in the various caves, probably by the Phoenicians, Carthaginians and Romans who roamed the seas.
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Gibraltar After the Romans
Roman empire and Gibraltar history: After the fall of the Roman Empire, Gibraltar, like the rest of Spain, is a plaything in the hands of various peoples. Only with the conquest of the Moors in 710 did the peninsula regain some peace. It is the Moors who first see the strategic significance of the rock. They build a large fort on top. This fort can still be admired. The Moorish tower stands proudly. The name of Gibraltar is a corruption of the Arabic Jebel Tariq, which means Rock of Tariq; the leader of the Moors.
Reconquista
Gibraltar history: The Spanish first came to power in the 15th century. During the reconquista, the reconquest of Spain from the Muslims, Gibraltar and the area around Granada were conquered last. The Spanish king appropriated the title of King of Gibraltar.
The Jews who had helped in the conquest from the Moors were allowed to continue living in the city as a reward. This while they were severely persecuted in the rest of Spain. The Jewish inhabitants were still expelled from the city in 1476. Yet to this day, a large Jewish community lives in Gibraltar. In percentage of the total population, it is even the second largest Jewish community in the world.
Gibraltar in Spanish period
Spanish period of Gibraltar history: For three centuries, the Spanish controlled shipping traffic through the Strait of Gibraltar and the Mediterranean Sea from the Rock of Gibraltar. With the discovery of new areas in America and increasing shipping and trade to Africa and Asia, this position became increasingly important. Not surprising that the direct competition also had its eye on Gibraltar. In 1607, the Spanish fleet was surprised by the Dutch led by Jacob van Heemskerk.
He burns the entire fleet, but ignores Gibraltar. That is different a century later. Although the Peace of Munster already brought an end to the war between Spain and the Netherlands, the young republic of the Netherlands and Spain are still at war. This time the Dutch have joined the English who want to prevent France from gaining control of an even larger area in Europe during the War of the Spanish Succession.
(The Spanish king had died childless, the French king laid claim to the Spanish throne) In the English, the Dutch find an ally who is also happy to lower the tone of mighty Spain. On August 4, the attack is launched by an English and Dutch fleet. Admiral George Rook fires 15,000 cannonballs at the city from the water. When the Marines enter the city the next day, they encounter little resistance.
The French king laid claim to the Spanish throne) In the English, the Dutch find an ally who would also like to lower the tone of mighty Spain. On August 4, the attack is launched by an English and Dutch fleet. Admiral George Rook fires 15,000 cannonballs at the city from the water. Gibraltar history.
When the Marines enter the city the next day, they encounter little resistance. the French king laid claim to the Spanish throne) In the English, the Dutch find an ally who would also like to lower the tone of mighty Spain. On August 4, the attack is launched by an English and Dutch fleet. Admiral George Rook fires 15,000 cannonballs at the city from the water. When the Marines enter the city the next day, they encounter little resistance.
Peace of Utrecht: Agreement between Spain and Great Britain on Gibraltar
Utrecht agreement in Gibraltar history: During the Peace of Utrecht, which ended the war, it was determined that Gibraltar would remain British territory forever and ever. This was subsequently further reinforced in 1763 and in 1783 during other peace negotiations. Gibraltar is part of the British Empire for all eternity. Naturally, the Spaniards are not happy with this English enclave within their Spanish empire. Spain is in the 18thcentury, a world power on the decline, but does not simply give up.
An attempt at reconquest was made in 1726, but this resulted in a truce. In 1779, the Spanish laid siege to Gibraltar. No one can get in or out anymore. The rock is closed off from the outside world with a grand display of power. This siege lasted until 1783 and took its toll among the population of the rock. There were major food shortages. The tunnels in the rock, which can still be visited, were constructed at that time. They had problems aiming the guns downwards so sharply that they could hit the ships in the bay.
The tunnels made it possible to fire the guns at an acute angle without being in danger. The siege comes to a head in 1782. The Spanish ships present are equipped with wet sand and wet cork between the dry ship’s wood to prevent them from catching fire again due to the heavy bombing. This helps for a while, but at the end of the day the bay is still filled with burning Spanish galleons. The siege is lifted. The tunnels constructed during the siege are being further expanded.
WWII
These tunnels also served again during the Second World War. As one of the last Allied strongholds, Gibraltar was of great importance. From here the English could conduct operations in both the Mediterranean and the Atlantic Ocean. Most of the population was evacuated during the war, but about 4,000 soldiers remained behind to defend the rock. There were also about 225 Dutch England sailors who managed to reach the English island via the Gibraltar route.
Franco refused to allow German soldiers into Spanish territory, making it virtually impossible for the Germans to conquer the rock. Malta, among other things, was supplied with food from Gibraltar during the siege by the Germans. Nice detail from this time; According to legend, the British would only be chased away if the monkeys left the rock.
Winston Churchill ensured that the monkeys were not deprived of anything during the war and that the population remained healthy. There are even rumors that he had some monkeys imported from the African continent.
Franco
Gibraltar history: However, after the Second World War, Franco renewed his claim to Gibraltar. He closed the border and made trade and passenger traffic between Gibraltar and Spain difficult. The population itself, however, made it known that they did not want to join Spain. England’s position after the war was also too strong to counter with a military show of force. Franco did not dare to do this.
In 1967, the people of Gibraltar even declared themselves sovereign. From then on, domestic affairs were arranged by the population themselves. Only foreign affairs were decided by the British. The border was closed by the Spaniards for a few years. However, it did not result in a change in management. Normal traffic was possible again from 1985.
The last attempt to include Gibraltar was in 2002. Once again a referendum was held to allow Gibraltar to join Spain. This time too the population was bright. Things had to remain as they were. Gibraltar therefore remains the special part of Britain on the continent.
Rock of Gibraltar History
Rock of Gibraltar history: The Rock, as Gibraltar is known, whose impressive silhouette dominates the strait between Spain and Morocco, crams an extraordinary amount of history, culture, and nature into an area less than 6 square miles, making it an ideal short holiday destination.
Gibraltar rock: things you may not have known about the Rock of Gibraltar
Gibraltar rock : The Rock of Gibraltar, an enclave of 600 hectares that has been under British sovereignty since the Treaty of Utrecht was signed in 1713, is a historical object of dispute between Spain and the United Kingdom. Leaving this aside, we discover seven curious aspects about this territory.
ROCK WITH 52 KILOMETERS OF TUNNELS
That a rock, the Rock of Gibraltar, has 52 kilometers of tunnels may seem surprising. But given its small area (five kilometers long and one kilometer wide), much of its infrastructure is underground.
Gibraltar Caves WW2
Gibraltar caves ww2: During the Second World War, there was a veritable underground city with miles and miles of tunnels, water and fuel tanks, electricity generators, telephone services, butcher shops, bakeries and even hospitals.
“The English found out that there was an invasion plan by the Germans and Gibraltar, being so small, said: we can’t get out of the way here when the bombings start, we have to go underground,” explains historian Tito Vallejo Smith.
WHY WAS THE ROCK OF GIBRALTAR THE LIMIT OF THE KNOWN WORLD?
Gibraltar history: The pillars of Hercules, according to Greek mythology, marked the limit of the known world. With this expression, ancient navigators referred to the two mountains that flank the Strait of Gibraltar.
According to legend, the same demigod would have placed a pillar on each side of the 15 kilometer wide canal that separates Europe from Africa.
THE ROCK OF GIBRALTAR HAS THE OLDEST JEWISH COMMUNITY ON THE PENINSULA
For almost 300 years, Gibraltar was home to the only Jewish community on the Iberian Peninsula.
In 1492, the Jews were expelled from Spain by order of Kings Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile, known as the Catholic Monarchs. That expulsion edict was only repealed in 1992, 500 years later.
“The majority fled to the south and many went to Morocco. That was the beginning of the Sephardic community that spread throughout the Mediterranean,” explains Sharman Kadish, director of the Jewish Heritage association in the United Kingdom and author of the book, to BBC Mundo. “Jewish heritage in Gibraltar.”
Brexit
Modern Gibraltar history: Although a large majority of Gibraltar residents voted against Brexit, Gibraltar remains part of the British Empire. Brexit will, in all likelihood, not change this.
