5 Things You Didn’t Know About The Rock of Gibraltar

The Rock of Gibraltar stands strategically as a gateway between Europe and Africa. The people here are as unique as the rock itself. The people are proud British Gibraltarians, having fought tooth and fail for their right to stay as a British territory. They’re equally proud of their Spanish roots - they love bull fighting and speak Spanish.  Here, are five things that make the Rock of Gibraltar unique:

- The Pillars of Hercules:

To redeem himself of a terrible guilt, Hercules set upon a mission that included 12 impossible tasks. Nine of these tasks could be completed within the Mediterranean, but for the tenth, he had to go beyond the Mediterranean and into the Atlantic. The task was just half the challenge; the other challenge was to cross the mountain that joined Africa and Europe. Rather than going around the mountain, Hercules decided to split it into two and pass through the narrow strait. The cliffs on each side are therefore called the Pillars of Hercules. The Rock of Gibraltar forms the Europe side of the pillar.

- The Rock Of Gibraltar is as soft as chalk:

Ever heard the phrase ‘solid as the Rock of Gibraltar?’ It’s ironic that a rock made up of soft limestone came to be associated with reassuring solidity and dependability.  As Dale Dunlop of the Maritime Explorer points, the rock is ‘honeycombed with dozens of miles of tunnels, natural caves, faults, and fractures to the point that it’s a wonder it doesn’t collapse’. The phrase references the fact that during WWII, the British had fortified the rock so well, that it was considered invincible.    

- The Legend About the Barbary Macaques:

The Barbary macaques are the only wild monkey population to survive in Europe. They were once under the care of the British military personnel who not only fed them but also recorded births and deaths. Legend has it that until these macaques exist in Gibraltar, the British will continue to reign over the territory.

- The St. Michael’s Cave Was Once Believed To Be Linked To Morocco:

The St. Michael’s Cave is a natural cave filled with stalactites and stalagmites and was long thought to be bottomless. This also led to the legend that the caves were connected to the African continent by a hidden passage under the Strait of Gibraltar. And that was how the apes entered Europe. Greek legend has it that these caves led to the underworld.

The Author is a curious traveler chronicling his visits to unique places around the world, including the Rock of Gibraltar. Visit our website for more information.