GIBRALTAR’S MEDITERRANEAN EXPERIENCE.

 Barbary Apes, botanical gardens, over 30 miles of inner Rock tunnels, Trafalgar remembered, dolphins at play, a Moorish castle, scuba diving……….and that’s just for starters.

 Just two and a half hours from London and with a warm, inviting climate that boasts some 320 days of sunshine a year, Gibraltar is an intriguing escape for those seeking a short break in the Mediterranean. Among a wide choice of attractions, visitors to this British colony are bound to discover new experiences thanks to the Rock’s geography, history and various cultural influences.

 PHYSICAL LANDMARKS

The Upper Rock – has a lush appearance with an abundance of plant life. Previously used by the Military, recent de-militarisation has led to this area being declared as a nature reserve. The majority of shrubs are Mediterranean with the most widespread being the wild olive. Over 600 species of wild flowers - including the Gibraltar Candytuft, Gibraltar Chickweed, and Gibraltar Sea-Lavender – can be found here along with the Barbary Apes and migrating and resident Birdlife.

 The Alameda Gardens – Opened in 1816, these botanical gardens are a peaceful haven among exotic plants, trees and shrubs. Opposite The Rock Hotel, the gardens also house an open-air theatre.

 Upper Galleries and Great Siege Tunnels – The Great Siege (1779-1783) saw the excavation of the Upper Galleries by the predecessors of the Royal Engineers. In defence of the British garrison against combined Spanish and French forces, work started in May 1782 with the purpose of mounting a gun on a projection of the north face of the Rock. During the excavations, holes were blasted to provide fresh air for the tunnellers and it was realised they would make excellent points from which to fire. Fitted with 24-pounder cannons, the galleries became impregnable. The World War II invasion of North Africa was planned from here and General Eisenhower supervised operations from these headquarters.

 St Michael’s Cave and Lower St. Michael’s Cave – More than 300 metres above sea level, these are among Europe’s most spectacular grottoes featuring magnificent stalagmites and stalactites. During World War II, St. Michael’s cave was prepared as an emergency hospital but was never actually used for this purpose. Today, the main chamber is used for concerts, ballets, fashion shows and other cultural events. The upper hall is connected with many lower chambers by a series of winding passages. By prior arrangement, visitors may explore Lower St. Michael’s Cave whose corridors extend for several kilometres and end in a subterranean lake.

Europa Point – At the southern tip of Gibraltar, spectacular views right across the Strait of Gibraltar to Morocco can be enjoyed. The Ibrahim-Al-Ibrahim Mosque – built in 1997 and a gift from King Fahd of Saudi Arabia – is situated here making it the most southerly mosque in Europe. The Europa Point Lighthouse, opened in 1841, is the only Trinity House outside the UK.

HISTORY

Moorish Castle – The Moors first conquered Gibraltar in 711 and the successors of Tarik-Ibn-Zeyad built the first fortifications on and around the site of the Moorish Castle in 1160. The castle’s main feature is the Tower of Homage which dates from around 1333 A.D. and proudly displays the battle scars inflicted during the 10 sieges in the 14^th and 15^th centuries. Today, the Moorish Castle serves as the local prison.

The Convent – at the beginning of Main Street, this is the home of the Governor. Originally a Franciscan convent, it became the official residence of Gibraltar’s Governors in 1728.

Ceremony of the Keys – performed twice a year, this Ceremony recalls what was originally a nightly occurrence of securing the fortress between dusk and daybreak. General Elliot, the Governor of Gibraltar at the time of the Great Siege (1779-1783) used to sleep with the enormous key to Gibraltar tucked under his pillow. During the nightly ritual, soldiers marched the streets at all hours challenging one another and shouting their responses.

Garrison Library – The brainchild of Col. Drinkwater who, during the Great Siege, chronicled this important episode in Gibraltar’s history. Confined to the Rock for four years, without any books, he was determined not to endure another siege without reading material and so the building (previously the Governor’s residence, under Spanish rule) was inaugurated as a library in 1793. This handsome building houses a remarkable collection of works on Gibraltar.

 The Gibraltar Chronicle – Gibraltar’s daily newspaper was founded in 1801 and as such is Europe’s second oldest English periodical and the first to report the British victory at Trafalgar.

 Rosia Bay and Parson’s Lodge – HMS Victory was towed to Rosia Bay after Nelson’s victory at Trafalgar, with the Admiral’s body preserved on board in a barrel of rum. Dominating Rosia Bay is Parson’s Lodge Battery, dating from 1875, which formerly housed 18-ton guns.

 Trafalgar Cemetery – The cemetery gained its name following the internment of those who served on HMS Victory and died in Gibraltar of wounds received at the Battle of Trafalgar.  Before that time, this was the Rock’s military cemetery in which officers of the garrison and their families were buried.

 American War Memorial – Designed by Dr. Paul Cret of Philadelphia for the American Battle Monuments Commission, this prominent arch was built into an existing city wall in 1932-33. It commemorates the achievements of the US and Royal Navies during the First World War.

 ANIMALS

Barbary Apes – undoubtedly Gibraltar’s most famous tourist attraction, the famous species of tailless monkeys were brought to Gibraltar from North Africa by the British during the 18^th century. Finding the rough limestone cliffs and scrub vegetation a congenial habitat, the apes thrived in the wild. Legends abound around the apes – one being that they travel to and from Morocco via a natural tunnel running from St. Michael’s Cave and underneath the Strait. It is also believed that if the apes leave the Rock then Gibraltar will no longer be British. In World War II, when numbers were dwindling, Sir Winston Churchill took a personal interest and made sure that more were imported from Morocco. The Apes’ Den is situated within the Upper Rock’s Nature Reserve.

 Birdlife – During the migratory seasons in spring and autumn, Gibraltar is an invaluable staging post between Europe and Africa. In addition to birds heading south, the Rock has a varied list of resident species, including the Barbary Partridge which is found nowhere else on the mainland of Europe.

 Dolphins – boat trips into the bay, give visitors the chance to spot the Bottle Nose, Common and Striped dolphins at play.

 SUN AND SEA

Marinas – At the entrance to the Mediterranean, Gibraltar is a prime site for yachtsmen.

Three marinas offer excellent berthing facilities as well as full charter services, ship chandlers, sailing schools, dolphin boat trips, marina stores, restaurants and bars.

 Catalan Bay – a former fishing village and home of Genoese settlers on the Rock, this bay also sheltered Spaniards fleeing from the Napoleonic invasion of Spain. Today, it is popular as a beach.

 Scuba Diving – Gibraltar is one of Southern Europe’s best dive locations as, with a constant influx of nutrient rich water from the Atlantic, Gibraltar has some of the most varied sea life in the Mediterranean. There are many wrecks to explore and drift dives at spectacular reefs in the Straits.

 OTHER ATTRACTIONS

Rock Tour  - a full two-hour tour takes in leading historical and geographic attractions and other local landmarks.

 Shopping  - A main attraction for visitors to Main Street is that all goods are sold free of VAT. Watches, jewellery, perfumes, cameras, electrical and audiovisual equipment, cigars, Lladró and Herend porcelain are among those items that come at a very reasonable price, on account of this shopping incentive. Indian traders also feature silks and embroidered fabrics. The pedestrianised Main Street is a shopping area with particular character and a definite buzz.

 Cable car – one of the best ways to take in Gibraltar all at once is to go on the cable car ride. Stop off at the Apes’ Den and then travel up to the summit (at a height of 430 metres) to look down on the Mediterranean and the Atlantic, simultaneously.

 Mediterranean Steps – for the more energetic, this breathtaking walk provides another means of reaching the summit of the Rock.

 Casemates Square – formerly the site of public executions, as well as being the location for the Ceremony of the Keys the square has recently been developed as a piazza with a variety of shops, cafes and restaurants.

 Glass Factory – Home to Gibraltar Crystal and set in a former army barracks at Casemates Square, the factory is open to visitors who can watch glassblowers at work. By prior arrangement, visitors can also mould their own artefacts.

 Changing of the Guard – This colourful military ceremony takers place in front of the Governor’s residence, The Convent, and nowadays is performed by The Gibraltar Regiment.

 EXCURSIONS BEYOND GIBRALTAR

Gibraltar is the ideal steeping off ground for day excursions into Spain and Morocco. The Rock Hotel will be delighted to assist guests with recommendations and arrangements for a variety of cultural and tourist attractions just across the border and the Strait.

 Spain – Visit the sherry bodegas of Jerez, the beautiful old town of Ronda on a mountain plateau or Estepona’s Sunday morning market. Mingle among the jet set in fashionable Marbella and go yacht-spotting at Puerto Banus. Wind-surf in Tarifa or watch the polo at Sotogrande.  The beautiful towns of Seville and Mijas are also within close proximity.

 Africa – step into another continent and back within a day. Wander around the Kasbahs and Soukhs to drink in a totally different culture. With Moroccan cuisine very much in vogue, sample it at first hand.

 Whatever combination of activities are pursued during their stay, visitors to Gibraltar are bound to have their whole experience underlined in the best of style by adopting The Rock Hotel as their elegant and relaxing retreat