Explore a unique place that is on the southern coast of Spain, but not actually part of Spain.
Gibraltar is a unique little piece of geography and geology in Europe. Gibraltar has been part of the United Kingdom since it was captured during the War of the Spanish Succession in 1704. While part of the UK, Gibraltar retains close ties to Spain, where many people commute from every day for work.
During ancient times, the Rock of Gibraltar was known as one of the Pillars of Hercules, landmarks that symbolize the way to the Atlantic Ocean.
The Rock of Gibraltar is just a random giant limestone rock almost in the sea.
The commute from the Spanish border is interesting. You first have to pass through Spanish customs, who stamps your passport and then the UK official barely looks at works and sends you on your way. After the boarder, you have to cross a literal airport runway to get to the main town.
Yep, totally walking across a runway.
When in the UK. I guess?
The Landport, a fortified gateway that once was the only way into Gibraltar from Spain.
Main Street, Gibraltar.
The odd and very Moorish Holy Trinity Cathedral.
Main Street has some cute buildings. Love the colors.
I headed up the extremely the extremely steep Rock to the Nature Reserve which has a bunch of attractions in it. First stop was the Moorish Castle. The Moors were in Gibraltar for 727 years, so it’s not surprising that they built a castle. By the way, the weather forecast lied to me.
The Tower of Homage was the highest tower.
Very fortressy inside.
The lower part of the Moorish castle.
My first sighting of a Barbary macaque in the wild. They were probably introduced to Gibraltar at some point from North Africa and are now major tourist attractions.
Every inch of Gibraltar is built up.
They may be cute, but they really are assholes.
The Rock of Gibraltar is filled with tunnels which have been created over the last 200 years. They were used during the Great Siege of Gibraltar (1779-1783) and WWII. There is even a giant reservoir inside of the Rock.
Exploring the WWII Tunnels. It’s a little mazey.
Buildings were even built inside of the tunnels.
This section housed a hanger that housed a hospital.
Just a random tunnel entrance.
The Bay of Gibraltar with Algeciras, Spain on the other side.
There’s that runway at the border.
Big guns down there.
One of the Great Siege Tunnels.
A row of macaques on the Charles V Wall. That little one in front punched me when I tried to pass.
The terrifying Windsor Bridge. I stepped on it, and it moved with the wind. Luckily, there was a path around it.
Next up is St. Michael’s Cave. It’s a network of caves, but only a small portion is open without a special tour. They do a cool light show.
Looks a bit like a type of fungi.
Looks a lot like a bird like figure.
A weird sign near the northern exit to the nature reserve.
Jews Gate Cemetery, used from 1746 to 1848.
The King Fahad bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud Mosque is in the lightly built-up southern part of Gibraltar.
The Europa Point Lighthouse on the southern tip of Gibraltar.
Africa!
I took a bus from Europa Point to Trafalgar Cemetery where some of the soldiers that died at the hospital here after the Battle of Trafalgar were laid to rest in 1805.
I love the garden feel of this cemetery.
The biggest tombstone belonged to Captain Thomas Norman, who died in 1805 from his wounds sustained from the Battle of Trafalgar.
The Gibraltar’s Governors Resident, called the Convent.
A random government building.
Cute!
Grand Casemates Square, part of the old defense system.
Gibraltar was pretty cool. I exhausted myself climbing all over the Rock. The museum and botanical garden weren’t open because of Boxing Day (observed). Oh, well. There was still plenty to see and do. Just watch out for speeding cars in the nature reserve.
Check out this jet taking off on that crazy runway in Gibraltar!
Check out my next update where visit two very unique Spanish towns, Ronda and Setenil!
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Start at the beginning of my travels around Spain!
