Marbella is the perfect starting point for those who prefer to actively explore Spain… and beyond. Within a few tens of kilometres there are cities such as Malaga, Granada or Ronda, as well as Gibraltar, which we would like to encourage you to visit.
Object of desire for Spain and the UK
Gibraltar is now an overseas territory of the United Kingdom, having been incorporated in 1713. It was handed over to the royal administration under a peace treaty that was signed after the War of the Spanish Succession. In 2022, 180 years later, Gibraltar was granted official status as a British city by the late Queen Elizabeth II on the occasion of her Platinum Jubilee.
This area has always been of particular importance to the numerous peoples and civilisations that have ruled the Iberian Peninsula over the past few hundred years. It was on its territory that Arab armies landed in the eighth century, thus beginning a period of several centuries of rule in the Iberian Peninsula, which ended with the Christian Reconquista in the 15th century.
From the 16th century, by an edict of Isabella I, Gibraltar came under Spanish rule, but this status only lasted for another 200 years. Then, by the Peace Treaty of Utrecht (1713), ending the war between Spain, Britain and the Netherlands, Gibraltar was ceded ‘in perpetuity’ to the British Empire.
However, the dispute between the British and the Spanish over the rights to Gibraltar is eternally alive, and there have been recent attempts to revive it again with Brexit. The people there voted twice in a referendum to join Spain, but both attempts proved unsuccessful.
Limestone rock and tens of kilometres of tunnels
Although Gibraltar is really small, there is plenty to explore. Definitely start with the measuring 426 m above sea level. The Rock of Gibraltar. This limestone structure is incredibly impressive. There are plenty of attractions to be found throughout the Rock, one of which is the stunning caves and tunnels that stretch for tens of kilometres.
Access to the Rock of Gibraltar is possible via several roads. Only some of these can be traversed by private cars. Other sections are only accessible with licensed transport operators (taxis and minibuses are constantly operating there). An alternative would be to hike or cycle. However, please note that no matter which way you choose to travel, you must purchase an entrance ticket. The most attractive way to reach the Rock is by cable car, during which we can enjoy excellent views of Gibraltar, Africa and the whole area. The lower station is in town and the upper station is at the summit.
Monkey companions at Upper Rock Nature Reserve
A huge part of the Rock of Gibraltar is occupied by the Upper Rock Nature Reserve, one of the biggest attractions of which are the Berber macaques – the only place in Europe where we can observe free-living monkeys. There are currently around 300 macaques living there, which are under special protection. Local legend has it that the area of Gibraltar will be under British rule for as long as the monkeys live there. When visiting the reserve, it is important to remember that under no circumstances should you feed the monkeys living there – the penalty for breaking the rules is a fine of several hundred euros.
In addition to monkeys, Upper Rock Nature Reserve is home to a number of bird species, including Berber partridge and buzzards. There are about 311 species of birds that are present here – having their nests or just migrating.
Moorish castle
Gibraltar is also home to a medieval fortification, known as the Moorish Castle (Castelo dos Mouros). It includes numerous buildings, gates and walls, with the most distinctive and recognisable elements being the Tower of Homage and the Gate House. Thanks to its dominant and strategic position, the Tower is clearly visible from almost anywhere in Gibraltar and makes a great impression on all visitors to the region.
The Moorish castle is compared to the Alcasars in Spain, but it was built by the Marinid dynasty, making it unique in all of Europe. In the past, part of the castle served as Gibraltar’s prison, which was relocated from it in 2010. It is such an important site for the local community that it was decided to feature on the reverse of the £5 Gibraltar.
Sikorsky accident
Despite its distance from Poland, Gibraltar has also become a permanent part of our country’s history. It was there that one of the most mysterious disasters of the Second World War took place, in which the Prime Minister of the Polish Government in Exile and Commander-in-Chief of the Polish Armed Forces, Władysław Sikorski, died.
On 4 July 1943, General Sikorski and his delegation were due to travel back from an inspection of Polish troops in the Middle East. His plane took off from the airport and collapsed into the sea after only 16 seconds. The only survivor was the Czech pilot Eduard Prchal. The causes of the crash remain unknown to this day, and its solution and investigation has been undertaken by many investigators and researchers from all over the world.
The monument dedicated to General Sikorski was unveiled on the 70th anniversary of his death and is located in the southern part of Gibraltar, in an area known as Europa Point. The monument stands 3 metres high and is centred on a previously standing statue with a propeller in the centre of the town, to which an arch with a Polish military eagle has been added.
Trip to Gibraltar
There are several ways to get from Marbella to Gibraltar. We can either go by private car or take an organised bus service – there are several runs from the city every day. The journey should take about an hour, depending on the means of transport chosen.
One of the highlights of the trip itself will be passing through Gibraltar Airport, through which a road is laid out for cars and buses – before and after each plane landing, the road is closed for 10 minutes. At the same time, it is worth remembering that we will need a passport or identity card to get into Gibraltar.
