FOR SALE: Plots 51, 108, 174 and 175 La Paloma de Manilva, Costa del Sol, Spain. Empty plots range from from €290k - €330k. For further information contact us.
Gibraltar's history is fascinating and dates back many thousands of years. Prehistoric remains have been found dating from up to 100,000 years ago including the bones of deer, hyena and tortoise were recently uncovered. The Greeks and Phoenicians both had links with Gibraltar and in 45AD Julius Caesar left for the battle of Munda from Cartela at the head of Gibraltar Bay. The Moorish invasion of Europe began in the Bay of Gibraltar and the "Rock" continued under Moorish domination for over 7 centuries. Spain ruled briefly in the early 14th century and then recaptured it in the mid-15th century, ruling until the beginning of the 18th century when it fell to the British. Spain continued to battle for possession and in 1782 work began on the famous Siege Tunnels. The Battle of Trafalgar was fought near the Rock in 1805 and the flagship HMS Victory limped into Rosia Bay with the admiral's body pickled in a barrel of rum. Britain retained possession during the Great siege and during WW2 Gibraltar had a strategic role. More recently, particularly during the Franco period, Spain has revived her claim to the Rock, and the border gates were closed for 13 years from 1969. Whilst exploring the Rock you will enjoy a blend of Moorish, Spanish, British Colonial and modern architecture together with a rich mix of nationalities and cultures that have left their impression over the centuries making Gibraltar a unique and welcoming destination.
The Gibraltar Tourist Board introduces Gibraltar as "more than meets the eye" and this is quite true. Gibraltar offers her visitors such a wonderful choice of activities that a visit to the famous Rock should certainly be on your list! If you didn't want to drive down, you could take a guided coach tour, which would give you time for shopping and then an organised tour of the Rock, or you could use the Spanish public bus service to La Linea and then walk across. The choice is wide, but up to you. At La Linea (either take the N351 off the N340 or the prettier route of the A383 off the N340) there is an underground car park and a pay and display car park. Buses run from the border every ten minutes -take nos. 9, 10or 12. For touring the Rock independently you will need a good map and a guide book -but just to get your bearings, the airport/border is in the north, the beaches are in the east, the lighthouse, convent and Mosque are in the south and the harbour is on the west side. There are official Rock Tours sanctioned by the tourist board and available by taxi or minibus. Prices vary between £10-£20 per person, depending on vehicle and number of occupants. These tours usually visit the 8th Century Moorish Castle and Baths, Catalan Bay, the water catchments, Europa Point, the Jews Gate, St Michael's Cave, the Apes' Den, the upper Galleries Viewpoint and the lighthouse, giving you a fair introduction to Gibraltar perhaps paving the way for another visit at some future date.
The minibus tours are run by Bland Travel-tel: 77012; Calypso Tours-tel: 76226; Exchange Travel-tel: 76151;and parodytur - tel: 76070. Taxi tours are run by the Gibraltar Taxi Association-tel: 70027. The average tour lasts 1hour. From only £8 per person (minimum 4 people) you can visit some of the main tourist sites. Extensive tours are also available. Vehicle queues at the border are sometimes horrendous; especially during the high season and more so if a "political situation" has arisen between Spain and Britain, also there are often car hire restrictions on taking your vehicle to Gibraltar. Therefore, it is a good idea to leave your car at La Linea in the car park and walk across the border. It is a 1.5km walk to Main Street, which after showing your passport takes you across Gibraltar's main runway. Or you could take a bus from outside the airport terminal, which will take you into the centre of town. NO.3 bus is a good bet, which takes you into Cathedral square, then to the lower cable car station and on to Europa Point. The no. 10 takes you from the border via Europort and then to Safeway's supermarket.
The cable car offers breathtaking views of Africa. On the way up see the famous apes and St Michael's Caves. There is both a self-service restaurant as well as a terrace bar with viewing platform.
If you do take your car across then try to leave before the usual rush between I pm and 6pm. The border with Spain is open 24 hours a day and you can cross on foot or by car. You will need to take your passport and car documents with you. Check with hire-company that you are covered. In the past, many people have been tricked into believing that I they had to pay a tax for taking their cars into Gibraltar. There is no charge and you should not hand over any money or documentation to any I unauthorised person at the border. If you do not hold a British Passport then check locally for entry and exit requirements. Currency both £ sterling and Euros are accepted. However, if you use a cash dispenser you will receive £, Gibraltar. In shops you will be given a mixture of £ sterling and £ Gibraltar as change. It is not possible to exchange £ Gibraltar back in Spain. Banks are usually open from 9am 3.30pm Monday to Friday. Drive on the right as in Spain.
Parking - public car parks are located in the following places -opposite air terminal; Casemates; Queensway Quay, Grande Parade by lower cable car station; StMichael'sRoad; CatalanBay; LittleBay; and Safeway's store. If parking on the street, be absolutely sure that it is allowed. Illegally parked cars are towed away and a fine has to be paid to retrieve it. If this happens to you, then go to the Queensway car park in the aptly named Reclamation Roador phone 76999 588570 00 out of hours).
The Cable car is open every day except Sunday from 9.30am - last departure at 5.I5pm. The entrance to the Ape's Den and St Michael's cave is included in the ticket price. To telephone Gibraltar from Spain dial 9567 followed by the number. To telephone Spain from Gibraltar dial the code followed by the number.
Shopping hours are usually 9am 7.30pm and Saturday morning till 1.30pm. Goods in Gibraltar are sold free of VAT and most of the shops are situated along the bustling pedestrianised Main Street. It is a pleasant area, familiar British shops nestle in between numerous cafes, bars, pubs and local shops specialising in perfumes, alcohol, tobacco, and electrical goods. Alongside you will find shops selling the exquisite Gibraltar crystal, good quality and reasonably priced Chinese linen and others offering porcelain, jewellery and watches. Almost at the south end of Main Street opposite the library/tourist office is a shop selling old prints and photographs of The Rock. Most shops close on Saturday afternoon, except perhaps for the discount alcohol shops. However, the sights are open, but all generally close down on a Sunday.
Fresh fish is plentiful and good fish meals can be had in restaurants situated in Marina Bay, Queensway Quay and a bit further afield in Catalan Bay on the east of the Rock. Otherwise, with so many bars, cafes and restaurants of all nationalities there is something to please everybody. Main Street and the narrow streets off for example are packed with British style pubs and cafes offering fish and chips and other familiar dishes. There are also several pasta and pizza restaurants. Don't forget though that drinks are measured as they are in the UK and food and drink prices are on a par with the UK.
The Great Siege Tunnels These tunnels were excavated to provide a network of defence tunnels, more than 32 miles of them during the Great Siege of 1779-1783. They were used to house gun placements for the mounting of a prototype gun, which could fire downwards -the Koehler Gun. One of these is on display in Casemates Square. Apparently General Eisenhower had an office in one of these tunnels during WW2, from where he masterminded the 1942 North Africa landings (Operation Torch).
The oldest remaining monuments in Gibraltar are Moorish and all that is left of the Moorish Castle is the Tower of Homage, which was last rebuilt in 1333.The building is very scarred, having survived many sieges over the centuries and the best view of it is from the road above it. However, entry is not permitted since it now houses Gibraltar's prison. The Museum For any lover of Moorish history, the museum is worth a visit. It was decided to house the museum on this spot because of the Moorish baths that were buried underneath. Rooms in the museum house archaeological material from the Palaeolithic to the Moorish periods and deal with geology, botany and zoology, with many local specimens. Memorabilia from the Great Siege is exhibited in another room and there is also "The Gibraltar Story" video shown every hour. The most exciting discovery is now housed in London's Natural History Museum- that of a female skull discovered on the west side of the Rock in 1848 and it is said to date from the Neanderthal age.
However, another exciting exhibit is the large and wonderful scale model of Gibraltar as it was in 1850, clearly showing the line of the Moorish walls and how the sea lapped at the city walls before the harbour was constructed. A tour of the Baths is included in the entrance fee for the museum and you will see Roman, Moorish and Visigoth columns, a central dome and horseshoe arches. The various rooms are all in an excellent state of preservation and there is even some of the original lead piping to see. Certainly recommended.
There are many legends surrounding these tail-less monkeys, properly known as Barbary Macaques. They are certainly the Rock's oldest residents and the colony has increased considerably since they were introduced two centuries ago. Some say that they were brought from Morocco via an underground tunnel; others say that they were originally pets belonging to British servicemen. It is also said that during the Second World War Winston Churchill gave orders to ensure that the ape numbers be maintained because, he said, that Gibraltar would cease to be British on the day that no apes were left.
A word of warning - keep a tight hold on bags, cameras and hats -these unruly creatures enjoy nothing more than stealing tourist's possessions and sometimes throwing them over the cliff edge! St Michael's Cave This is a fantastic natural grotto situated at a height of approximately 300m above sea level. It is one of Europe's most dramatic natural grottoes and contains both stalagmites and stalactites. It is an important tourist attraction and venue for concerts and plays.
It was originally home to the Neolithic inhabitants of the Rock. The Lower St Michael's Caves are something quite different -and were discovered accidentally during WW2 when blasting to make a second entrance to St Michael's Cave so that it could be used as a hospital. Tours here take about 3 hours. Children under 10 are not permitted. The Ibrahim AI Ibrahim Mosque This mosque was opened in 1997 and it is said to be the largest outside a non-Islamic country. King Fahd of Saudi Arabia paid for this, around £5m, as a focal point for Arabs travelling in Southern Spain. It is the most southerly mosque in Europe.
This is the southernmost point of Gibraltar, and here are located the lighthouse, the Mosque and the Christian Shrine of Our Lady of Europe. The lighthouse is the only one regulated by Trinity House outside the UK. It dates back to 1841 and stands 49 metres above sea level with a range of some 37 kilometres. You will also find the last shop in Europe. Shrine of Our Lady of Europe. Situated at Europa Point, this ancient mosque was converted into a Catholic chapel in 1462, after the capture of Gibraltar by the Spanish.
In the Bay of Algeciras this is an increasingly popular attraction and you have an excellent chance of seeing different species of dolphin and even whales which also frequent the Straits. Dolphin trips can be booked locally. See information in your villa.
These are an ideal spot to find shade on a hot summer's day. And you will not be disappointed with the wide selection of over 600 plants, trees, shrubs and cacti from Europe and further afield, including the spectacular Dragon Trees from Tenerife. These gardens used to be known as the Alameda Gardens and date from 1815, other features include two 18 guns dating from Victorian times, a bust of the Duke of Wellington, erected in 1819,a fountain which is over 150 years old and a whalebone arch which probably has connections with the whaling station which used to be at nearby Algeciras.
On a clear day go to the Upper Rock and you will have superb views of the Costa del Sol and the Rif Mountains. To access the cable car, go to the lower station, near the Botanical Gardens in Red Strands Road. You can leave at the Middle Station and visit the Ape's Den and then carry on to the Top Station to visit the Nature Reserve and St Michael's Cave. Cars leave every few minutes or so and the ticket prices include visits to these attractions.
This is particularly interesting for bird-lovers where migrating birds such as eagles, vultures and storks can be spotted during the Spring and Autumn. The landscape on the Upper Rock is mainly limited to scrub and rock, home to wild olive trees, palms including Europe's only native palm tree the Dwarf Fan Palm, broom, many varieties of wild flowers including Gibraltar's own Candytuft, butterflies including the Swallow tail Butterfly, lizards including the rare Giant Oscillated Lizard and of course rabbits! At the migration period some 300 or so species of bird are reported sighted over Gibraltar, which makes it an exciting venue for the true twitcher!
The native Gibraltar partridge may even be seen flying freely on the rocky outcrops. If you are making this tour under your own steam then whilst at the Top Station it is worth a walk along to the Jew's Gate Viewpoint for spectacular views across to the magnificent Rif Mountains, St Michael's Cave and to O'Hara's Battery, an emplacement of big guns on the Rock's summit. The water catchments are located on the sheer rocks on the eastern side and can be viewed near to the Top Station .Rain used to be channelled down into underground reservoirs in days gone past, but now there are desalination plants. Whilst gazing down at the sheer rock face, just imagine the task that the 500 Spanish soldiers had in 1704when they managed to scale this and surprise the British. They succeeded in climbing but were defeated soon after.
This once housed three 18 ton ten inch rifled muzzle loaders. During the Second World War modem emplacements were added. A walking tour A tour of the town centre area will take you to some interesting and historical sights -which blend in well with the array of British shops and pubs that are centred around Main Street. The city centre is long and narrow and much of it is pedestrianised as part of an overall city plan to beautify The Rock and create a pleasant environment for visitors and residents. Trees have been planted throughout the old city for the same reason. Strategically placed benches, pavement cafes and bars offer a welcome rest. The 18th century sieges resulted in the destruction of most of the Spanish and Islamic buildings -but you will certainly see the remains of the British fortifications, walls, gates and gun emplacements strategically placed.
These walls line the west side of the Rock and one of these, Line Wall, follows the line of the old Moorish sea wall. The land between this wall and the sea is interestingly reclaimed land, The Southport Gates, at the southern end of Main street date from 1552,a series of arches, one is for pedestrians decorated with the Spanish coat of arms and the other for traffic as the arms of Britain, Gibraltar and the then Governor. Prince Edward's gate is named after Queen Victoria's father and dates from 1790.Casemates Gates at the North end of Main Street have defended the Rock for over 6 centuries were nevertheless extensively rebuilt after the Great Siege. Casemates Square is being attractively refurbished. The Land port Gate was once the only entrance into the Town and the original gate was built by the Spanish on the site of a Moorish gate. It was rebuilt by the British in 1729. The Convent is situated towards the southern end of Main Street, and has been the official residence of Gibraltar's Governors since 1728. It was once a Convent of Franciscan Friars, hence its name. The Changing of the Guard is performed at various times of the day, on weekdays, by soldiers of the Royal Gibraltar Regiment. Close by the "Convent" is the Kings Chapel, which dates back to the 16th Century and was the garrison's main Church of England's place of worship. The chapel contains the tombs of a number of Governors, both Spanish and British, and the walls are adorned with memorials and the colours of the various British regiments in a prominent position on Main Street is the Roman Catholic Cathedral of St Mary the Crowned. A mosque was originally built on this site but the building was converted into a church when the Moors were finally driven from Gibraltar in 1462.Duringthe Great Siege, the building was badly damaged and the present church was rebuilt between 1810 and 1811 and restored in 1931. The Marinas. There are three marinas on Gibraltar; Marina Bay, Sheppard's Marina and Queensway Quay. They offer water sports such as sailing, yachting and diving. Some of the finest restaurants can be found on the sea front of these marinas.
If you are a 'twitcher' without doubt you will have brought your binoculars with you. Migration takes place the whole year round across the Straights of Gibraltar, but the most important northbound movements take place between mid-March and the end of May and southbound between late August to mid-October. Most experts agree however that the best months for watching are April and September. Best viewpoints are : Gibraltar, the Upper Rock Nature Reserve. There is an observatory at Jews Gate and here they welcome visitors and offer information regarding the latest sightings. The Mirador del Estrecho, which is on the main N340 coast road, just 5kms east of Tarifa. Punta Secreta, a headland on the coast road between Algeciras and Getares Bay. Species to look out for are the Black Stork, White Stork, Honey Buzzard, Black Kite, Red Kite, Egyptian Vulture, Griffon Vulture, Buzzard, Sparrow hawk, Osprey, Kestral, Merlin and Booted Eagle. Rarer species include Black Vulture,Goshawk, Spanish Imperial Eagle,Golden Eagle and Bonelli's Eagle. Remember too that the wind direction makes all the difference. Withwesterly winds then GibraItars Nature Reserve is the best bet. Tarifa would be the best choice if the wind is from the east.
Other places that are well worth a visit:
FOR SALE: Plots 51, 108, 174 and 175 La Paloma de Manilva, Costa del Sol, Spain. Empty plots range from from €290k - €330k. For further information contact us.