Monkeying Around At The Rock Of Gibraltar
Gibraltar, dubbed the "Gateway to the Mediterranean," is a British Overseas Territory with a plethora of unique tourist sites. The outpost was first populated by the Moors in the Middle Ages and afterwards ruled by Spain before being given to the British in 1713.
Gibraltar is small with an area of just 6.8sq kilometers. It’s dominated by the Rock of Gibraltar, a 426m-high limestone ridge which was our first stop. The Rock is a great introduction to Gibraltar as tourists can visit a number of attractions such as Ape's Den, The Pillars Of Hercules, St Michael's Cave and The Great Siege Tunnels.
The Rock is colonized by Barbary macaques which are the only monkeys found in the wild in Europe and are native to Morocco. This place is aptly known as Ape's Den. According to legend, if the monkeys ever leave Gibraltar, so will the British.
The Pillars of Hercules also located at The Rock are said to have been erected by Hercules as a tribute to his efforts in capturing the three-headed giant Geryon's livestock.
A network of limestone caves situated inside the Rock of Gibralta is known as St. Michael's Cave. Its name comes from a similar grotto at Monte Gargano, Italy, near the Sanctuary of Monte Sant'Angelo, where the archangel Michael is claimed to have appeared.
The interior of St. Michael's Cave is beautifully lit up.
The 14th Siege of Gibraltar, often known as The Great Siege, lasted from July 1779 to February 1783 and saw France and Spain go all out to retake the Rock from the British. In response to that attack, The Great Siege Tunnels were constructed to defend Gibraltar. The Great Siege Tunnels are a maze of tunnels that are possibly the most remarkable defense system ever devised by man.
The author at the entrance of The Great Siege Tunnels.
The exhibits inside the tunnel weave a story about the Great Siege.
A scenic view taken from inside the tunnel
The Rock of Gibraltar offers visitors stunning views of the City.
The airport can also be seen from The Rock. The airport has only one runway and when it is not in use, public vehicles can actually drive across the runway. This is possible as there are only one or two flights per day to Gibraltar.
Overall it was a fascinating trip to the The Rock Of Gibraltar where I can get a bird's eye view of tiny Gibraltar. Besides the beautiful scenery, the history and legends associated with the place made the trip even more interesting.
Do join me as I travel around the world. In the meantime, stay positive.
The Barbary macaques are one of the top tourist attractions in Gibraltar. I hope that one day, I will get the opportunity to visit Gibraltar to see them. Hope to see more of your travel posts.
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