<a href="/blog/pillars-of-strength">The Great Siege</a> might have been the most important watershed in the history of Gibraltar. Before 1783, the territory had essentially been a medieval fortress and a military base steeped in history as far back as antiquity. Thereafter, while retaining its military significance, it began its transformation into a modern town-state with a unique identity. First, its population grew to 17,000; then its appearance underwent a major facelift masterminded by one Giovanni Maria Boschetti, a 25-year-old Milanese Jack-of-all-(construction)-trades - and a master of several of them. By the end of the 18th century, the town of Gibraltar was known for its distinct look combining “military-ordnance-style arched doorways, Italianate stucco relief, Genoese shutters, English regency ironwork balconies, Spanish stained glass and Georgian sash and casement windows”. &nbsp;&nbsp;<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1701477278/7kwonders/DSCF_3257_a64c3dcfda.jpg" alt="DSCF3257.JPG" srcset="https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1701477277/7kwonders/thumbnail_DSCF_3257_a64c3dcfda.jpg 208w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1701477277/7kwonders/small_DSCF_3257_a64c3dcfda.jpg 500w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1701477277/7kwonders/medium_DSCF_3257_a64c3dcfda.jpg 750w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1701477277/7kwonders/large_DSCF_3257_a64c3dcfda.jpg 1000w," sizes="100vw"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1701477333/7kwonders/DSCF_3255_35a1129800.jpg" alt="DSCF3255.JPG" srcset="https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1701477332/7kwonders/thumbnail_DSCF_3255_35a1129800.jpg 208w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1701477333/7kwonders/small_DSCF_3255_35a1129800.jpg 500w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1701477333/7kwonders/medium_DSCF_3255_35a1129800.jpg 750w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1701477333/7kwonders/large_DSCF_3255_35a1129800.jpg 1000w," sizes="100vw">As time went by, advancing modernity, combined with inherent variety, kept adding to Gibraltar's quaintness. Mountain-shaped serpentine roads leading to newer neighbourhoods, necessitated smaller, personable-looking buses;&nbsp;<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1701480028/7kwonders/DSCF_3346_0932fe1f65.jpg" alt="DSCF3346.JPG" srcset="https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1701480028/7kwonders/thumbnail_DSCF_3346_0932fe1f65.jpg 208w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1701480028/7kwonders/small_DSCF_3346_0932fe1f65.jpg 500w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1701480028/7kwonders/medium_DSCF_3346_0932fe1f65.jpg 750w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1701480028/7kwonders/large_DSCF_3346_0932fe1f65.jpg 1000w," sizes="100vw">English countryside at a stone's throw from typical continental quarters resulted in pleasing, reassuring sights for sore eyes and nostalgic souls.<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1701481268/7kwonders/DSCF_3345_afeb88ff4e.jpg" alt="DSCF3345.JPG" srcset="https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1701481267/7kwonders/thumbnail_DSCF_3345_afeb88ff4e.jpg 208w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1701481267/7kwonders/small_DSCF_3345_afeb88ff4e.jpg 500w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1701481267/7kwonders/medium_DSCF_3345_afeb88ff4e.jpg 750w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1701481267/7kwonders/large_DSCF_3345_afeb88ff4e.jpg 1000w," sizes="100vw">Then, there is Gibraltar's unique geography. However modern the Rock was becoming, its location has never ceased to shape and define its identity, including toponymy. The small territory is acutely aware of its significance as the beginning/end of a whole continent. It's not for nothing that its southernmost tip is called Europa Point - and hardly any other country in the world can claim being home for the Lady of the Continent!<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1701485364/7kwonders/DSCF_3367_2ebc8ee031.jpg" alt="DSCF3367.JPG" srcset="https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1701485364/7kwonders/thumbnail_DSCF_3367_2ebc8ee031.jpg 208w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1701485364/7kwonders/small_DSCF_3367_2ebc8ee031.jpg 500w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1701485364/7kwonders/medium_DSCF_3367_2ebc8ee031.jpg 750w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1701485364/7kwonders/large_DSCF_3367_2ebc8ee031.jpg 1000w," sizes="100vw">It's to geography, as well, that the Rock owes its cutest wonder yet. The so-called “apes of Gibraltar”'s original habitat is in the Atlas Mountains in Morocco - and they are likely to have first crossed the water as early as the 8th century AD, together with <a href="/blog/hard-rock">Tarig ibn Ziyad</a>. Whatever prompted them to do so back then, now those “apes” (also known as “Barbary monkeys”) are the only wild monkeys on the whole European continent - that alone would be enough reason to present them with royal quarters occupying a significant part of the Upper Rock. However, there is an even better reason to do so: legend has it, as long as there are monkeys in Gibraltar, so will be the British. The legend was important enough for Winston Churchill to remember it in the darkest hours of the WWII - and to order extra monkeys from Morocco lest their numbers become dangerously low.<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1701491144/7kwonders/DSCF_3299_6738369828.jpg" alt="DSCF3299.JPG" srcset="https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1701491144/7kwonders/thumbnail_DSCF_3299_6738369828.jpg 208w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1701491144/7kwonders/small_DSCF_3299_6738369828.jpg 500w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1701491144/7kwonders/medium_DSCF_3299_6738369828.jpg 750w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1701491144/7kwonders/large_DSCF_3299_6738369828.jpg 1000w," sizes="100vw">While from a human point of view, the monkeys are a must-see major attraction, the feeling is anything but mutual. In other words, the apes are utterly indifferent to the never-ending procession of humans, while being touching fond of and invested in each other<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1701489344/7kwonders/DSCF_3310_200e22bcef.jpg" alt="DSCF3310.JPG" srcset="https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1701489344/7kwonders/thumbnail_DSCF_3310_200e22bcef.jpg 208w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1701489344/7kwonders/small_DSCF_3310_200e22bcef.jpg 500w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1701489344/7kwonders/medium_DSCF_3310_200e22bcef.jpg 750w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1701489344/7kwonders/large_DSCF_3310_200e22bcef.jpg 1000w," sizes="100vw"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1701491260/7kwonders/DSCF_3304_8ad7d8165f.jpg" alt="DSCF3304.JPG" srcset="https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1701491260/7kwonders/thumbnail_DSCF_3304_8ad7d8165f.jpg 208w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1701491260/7kwonders/small_DSCF_3304_8ad7d8165f.jpg 500w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1701491260/7kwonders/medium_DSCF_3304_8ad7d8165f.jpg 750w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1701491260/7kwonders/large_DSCF_3304_8ad7d8165f.jpg 1000w," sizes="100vw">

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Honouring the Past, Embracing the Future

While Gibraltar's history is full of excitement, and its political geography is quite special, what makes this tiny (6.7 square kilometers) piece of land truly unique is its unofficial status of the bridge/gateway to the Ancient World. As per Greek mythology, it was Heracles, a famous demigod/divine hero that helped to establish that status. Upon completing one of his Twelve Tasks, Heracles decided to commemorate his success - so, he broke the mountain that connected Africa and Europe, thus creating two huge pillars seen from far and wide. The Rock of Gibraltar is one of those pillars, and that sheds a whole new light on the well-known idiom “pillar of strength”.Strength had for 2,5 centuries been the essence of Gibraltar's very existence. To be precise, military strength: the Rock was being used as a fortress securing British presence on the Continent and protecting British Fleet's access to the Strait. Unsurprisingly, much of the Museum of the Rock' exhibition is devoted to military exploits and soldiers' daily routine full of hardships and physical punishment<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1700889279/7kwonders/DSCF_3206_b8fa317389.jpg" alt="DSCF3206.JPG" srcset="https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1700889278/7kwonders/thumbnail_DSCF_3206_b8fa317389.jpg 208w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1700889279/7kwonders/small_DSCF_3206_b8fa317389.jpg 500w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1700889279/7kwonders/medium_DSCF_3206_b8fa317389.jpg 750w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1700889279/7kwonders/large_DSCF_3206_b8fa317389.jpg 1000w," sizes="100vw">but also of occasional laughs - like when a soldier volunteered to climb inside a cannon to extricate a faulty piece of equipment (even though he might have felt much more amused after the deed than while performing it)<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1700889703/7kwonders/DSCF_3164_b094061448.jpg" alt="DSCF3164.JPG" srcset="https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1700889702/7kwonders/thumbnail_DSCF_3164_b094061448.jpg 208w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1700889702/7kwonders/small_DSCF_3164_b094061448.jpg 500w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1700889702/7kwonders/medium_DSCF_3164_b094061448.jpg 750w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1700889703/7kwonders/large_DSCF_3164_b094061448.jpg 1000w," sizes="100vw">To be fair, there were some amazing technical achievements, too - for instance, a whole section of the museum covers a feat of installing a 100-ton cannon in 1883, a major engineering breakthrough for the period in question.<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1700890122/7kwonders/DSCF_3147_818afc0c24.jpg" alt="DSCF3147.JPG" srcset="https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1700890122/7kwonders/thumbnail_DSCF_3147_818afc0c24.jpg 208w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1700890122/7kwonders/small_DSCF_3147_818afc0c24.jpg 500w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1700890122/7kwonders/medium_DSCF_3147_818afc0c24.jpg 750w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1700890122/7kwonders/large_DSCF_3147_818afc0c24.jpg 1000w," sizes="100vw">Mythology accounting for the origins of Gibraltar, and strength being such a key concept of life there, local art exhibitions are all too happy to contribute<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1700891480/7kwonders/DSCF_3387_d9fa1811c3.jpg" alt="DSCF3387.JPG" srcset="https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1700891480/7kwonders/thumbnail_DSCF_3387_d9fa1811c3.jpg 162w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1700891480/7kwonders/small_DSCF_3387_d9fa1811c3.jpg 500w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1700891480/7kwonders/medium_DSCF_3387_d9fa1811c3.jpg 750w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1700891480/7kwonders/large_DSCF_3387_d9fa1811c3.jpg 1000w," sizes="100vw"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1700891731/7kwonders/DSCF_3385_783990e7ea.jpg" alt="DSCF3385.JPG" srcset="https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1700891731/7kwonders/thumbnail_DSCF_3385_783990e7ea.jpg 208w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1700891731/7kwonders/small_DSCF_3385_783990e7ea.jpg 500w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1700891731/7kwonders/medium_DSCF_3385_783990e7ea.jpg 750w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1700891731/7kwonders/large_DSCF_3385_783990e7ea.jpg 1000w," sizes="100vw">Cultivating strength paid off big time in 1779-1783 when the Rock was sieged by allied Spanish-French forces siding with American colonies that were fighting for their independence from Great Britain. What became known as the Great Siege, lasted 3 years, 7 months and 12 days - and it failed to yield any results whatsoever. The fortress had never been breached, even though the city at its feet suffered from collateral damage and had to be rebuilt almost from scratch… &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

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Pillars of Strength

Throughout history, many lands would change hands through royal marriages, conquests or treaties - yet, in most cases, they were located next to another part of the country they currently belonged to. Over the last several centuries, quite a few countries in the New World had been “discovered” by European superpowers and made into their colonies or protectorates. That uncalled for relationship would produce inevitable tensions - and eventually result in some kind of uprising (from guerilla wars in Northern Africa to Gandhi's peaceful “salt marches” in India) aiming at getting rid of the foreign yoke. Surprisingly, there are also territories that fell between two stools by finding themselves far away from their official homeland, so-to-say, while being utterly content to be incorporated into it politically. To be precise, there are 71 entities officially known as “overseas territories”, one of them named after an 8th century military leader who spearheaded the Berberian invasion of the Iberian Peninsula. Capturing a territory right after crossing what wasn't yet known as "the Strait", must have seemed like a really big deal to Tariq ibn Ziyad - so, he commemorated the deed by calling his prized possession “Tariq's Mountain”/ "Jabal Tariq". An inevitable linguistic corruption gradually turned that name into “Gibraltar”.For centuries, the “Mountain” oscillated between various caliphates and - at a later stage - the Kingdom of Castile where it eventually ended up after Spanish Reconquista. It would've likely remained a rather spectacular but still regular “nook” of Spain but for an all-European war known as The War of the Spanish Succession that broke out at the very beginning of the 18th century. After 12 years of fighting, there appeared a chance to end the war if Great Britain (a marine superpower of the time) could be convinced to bow out of it - so, the 1713 Treaty of Utrecht (the choice of location was anything but incidental, because the Netherlands was Great Britain's closest ally, as well as another marine superpower) provided for an offer the Brits couldn't possibly refuse - to wit, Gibraltar!<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1700283531/7kwonders/DSCF_3315_c0e28b2445.jpg" alt="DSCF3315.JPG" srcset="https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1700283531/7kwonders/thumbnail_DSCF_3315_c0e28b2445.jpg 208w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1700283531/7kwonders/small_DSCF_3315_c0e28b2445.jpg 500w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1700283531/7kwonders/medium_DSCF_3315_c0e28b2445.jpg 750w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1700283531/7kwonders/large_DSCF_3315_c0e28b2445.jpg 1000w," sizes="100vw">Ever since, “Tariq's Mountain” has been anything but regular - and never failing to challenge or surprise in most aspects of one's daily life. For instance, more than 50% of people employed in Gibraltar, don't actually live there but rather come from a small village, La Linea de la Concepcion lying on the other side of the border with Spain. It might be more appropriate to call it the “border” because, in reality, it's nothing but a single room people pass through while waving their passports nobody usually looks at! (The border would become harder every time the relationship between the countries temporarily deteriorated, but the familiar picture kept returning right after the current conflict has been resolved). For that reason, many people also travel to Gibraltar via Spain rather than taking a direct flight. The overseas territory does have an airport but…it's heavily weather-dependent as high winds can render it completely useless. When it's windy in Gibraltar, its Mediterranean climate notwithstanding, it's WINDY - so flying in the area becomes unsafe… Yet another proof of the Rock's (as it's fondly called by the locals) uniqueness sounds almost miscellaneous but it's amusing enough to be worth mentioning: Gibraltar's economy relies on shipping and tourism (more than natural, considering the country's location, history and aura), finances and…online gambling! One of those “go figure!” cases…The Rock's location does affect its personality. English naturally being the official language of the country, many people speak Spanish, as well as one of local dialects, Llanito. Quite a few Gibraltarians have traditional Mediterranean roots, their ancestors coming not only from Spain but also from Italy, Portugal, Malta… Names and places like<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1700293521/7kwonders/DSCF_3253_480c54aa7b.jpg" alt="DSCF3253.JPG" srcset="https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1700293521/7kwonders/thumbnail_DSCF_3253_480c54aa7b.jpg 208w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1700293521/7kwonders/small_DSCF_3253_480c54aa7b.jpg 500w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1700293521/7kwonders/medium_DSCF_3253_480c54aa7b.jpg 750w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1700293521/7kwonders/large_DSCF_3253_480c54aa7b.jpg 1000w," sizes="100vw"> are quite common there. On the other hand, the local population is fiercely proud of their Britishness - many a time the Rock has been offered to switch allegiance to Spain, and each and every time the answer was a resounding NO!&nbsp;

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Hard Rock

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