Gibraltar's History - Summary
Gibraltar History…steeped in our past; the result of an intertwining and moulding of civilisations and cultures which dates back many thousands of years, making Gibraltar History so fascinating.
Roman Era
It is suggested that ancient mariners first arrived in the rock by the 8th / 9th century BC. Furthermore, some theorists also believe that this may have been as early as the 4th / 5th century BC. The mariners would leave gifts to the gods seeking the blessings of the almighty before sailing into the Atlantic and the unknown. Roman geographer Pomponius Mela was the first to document a description of Gibraltar around 45 AD.
Moorish Era
The Moorish invasion of Europe started in the Bay of Gibraltar. Here, Tarik Ibn Zeyad, assisted by Visigoths, landed on Tarik’s mountain – ‘Jebel Tarik’ – in 711AD. The rock of Gibraltar continued under Moorish occupation for over seven centuries until taken by the Spanish Kingdom of Castille for a brief period of 24 years between 1309-1333.
Spanish Era
Spanish forces occupied Gibraltar for twenty-four years in the early part of the 14th century. However, in 1333 it reverted to Moorish control after a bloody 18-week siege. Gibraltar did not finally become Spanish until 1462, when the Duke of Medina Sidonia recaptured it. The Spanish ‘Catholic Monarchs’ Isabella and Fernando were initially involved in securing Gibraltar as Crown Property of Castille in 1501.
British Era
King Charles II of Spain died in 1700 without an heir, leaving several contenders to his throne. It was unclear who should succeed him, and so eventually, the War of the Spanish Succession broke out within Europe between 1701-1714.
As a result, in August 1704, British Marines and Dutch marines captured the Rock on behalf of Charles of Austria. Consequently, the war continued until 1713 until the Treaty of Utrecht concluded that Philip V, a grandson of the King of France, would inherit the Spanish throne. Furthermore, Gibraltar was ceded to Great Britain and Minorca as part of the treaty.
But Gibraltar continued to be subjected to bloody conflicts from Spain. In 1779 Spain and France began the longest and bloodiest siege in Gibraltar’s history: ‘The Great Siege, 1779-1783’. In 1782 work started on the famous ‘Great Siege Tunnels’. The Battle of Trafalgar was fought close to the Rock in 1805.
Neanderthal man -missed opportunity
In 1848 an ancient skull was discovered in Forbes’ Quarry, eight years earlier than an identical skull found in the Neander Valley near Dusseldorf- Neanderthal. Unfortunately, as the Gibraltar skull was not examined until 1862 when British Archaeologists visited Gibraltar, Gibraltar missed an excellent opportunity to claim the title. The Neanderthal Man, in reality, should have been called the ‘Gibraltar Woman’!
Gibraltar History Tours
Below are some of the most popular history tours organised by Victory Tours Gibraltar.

Discover all of Gibraltar’s historical sites under the careful guide and luxury comfort of our Gibraltar Rock Tours.
From £31pp
On this tour, our expert guide will explain the importance of Gibraltar's initial city within the defence walls and show you all the hidden gems within our Old Town area that usually go unnoticed by visitors.
£35pp
Gibraltar Military History Tours is one of our most popular and on-demand tours. This is clearly of no surprise, due to the significance of Gibraltar as a Military Strategic location. This strategic importance can be dated back to the Greek Empire. Such importance is evident as Gibraltar is described as one of the Pillars of Hercules.
From £35pp
South District is split up between upper and lower regions. It affords great views and aspects southeast towards the Bay, Strait of Gibraltar, and Africa.
From £35ppGibraltar's historical Timeline
55 million years ago
Pre-History
The African Plate Europe Plates collides some 55 million years ago. The Mediterranean becomes a lake, which then dries up to become a savannah. Eventually, the Atlantic would break through the Strait of Gibraltar flooding it again, isolating the Rock of Jurassic limestone.
150,000-24,000 years ago
Neanderthals
Neanderthals inhabited Gibraltar
711 AD
Moorish Invasion
Moorish Troops landed from North Africa to begin their conquest of the Iberian Peninsular – the conflict lasted for seven centuries.
8th Century
First Fort
The Moors builds the first Fort of Gibraltar.
1309-1333
Brief Spanish Occupation
Brief occupation of 24 years
1316
2nd Siege
Moorish 1st failed attempt in re-capturing the rock from the Spanish
1333
Moors re-capture the Rock
Gibraltar suffers its 3rd siege – after four months, the Spanish surrenders to the Moors.
The Moors immediately improve the Fortification of Gibraltar after its re-capture. They build a Large castle, harbour, wall in the upper Rock, mosques, palaces and baths built.
4th siege – Spain tries to recapture but fails.
1349-1350
5th Siege
Alfonso XI (Spain) tries again to re-capture the Rock but unfortunately dies of plague in March 1350.
1411
6th Siege
Gibraltar is taken by another Moorish faction, the Granadian Moorish kingdom of Fez. It remains under Moorish occupation.
1436
7th Siege
Henry de Guzman, Count of Niebla, fails to capture Gibraltar and is killed in the attempt.
1462
Spain conquers the Rock
Alonso de Arcos joined by other Spanish forces capture Gibraltar in the name of the Duke of Medina on 20 August. Later in the year, the Crown of Spain annexes it, the Duke of Medina unreluctantly gives up Gibraltar in protest.
1466-1467
9th Siege
Henry de Guzman, son of Medina, captures the Rock after a siege of fifteen months on behalf of the Duke of Medina
1502
Coat of Arms
Queen Isabella of Spain embroiders coat of arms of Gibraltar, which has prevailed to this day as the Coat of Arms of the City (the Castle and Key).
1506
10th Siege
The 3rd Duke of Medina imposes a blockade but gives up.
1540
Pirates attack!
Barbarossa’s corsair pirates land and sack the village, taking hostages as slaves.
1704
Britian conquers the Rock
The British support Charles of Austria’s claim to the Spanish throne. A British fleet under Admiral Rooke land British and Dutch forces on the 23 July.
1704-1705
12th Siege
Forces supporting throne contender Philip V of Spain, start an attack on Gibraltar in October. The siege continued until April 1705 but is unsuccessful.
1713
Peace Treaty
Spain cedes Gibraltar to the British under the Treaty of Utrecht
1727
13th Siege
Spanish and French broke the peace treaty and attempted to recapture Gibraltar.
1779-1783
The Great Siege
14th siege, also known as the Great Siege of Gibraltar, lasted from June 1779 – to February 1783. Spanish and French forces unsuccessfully besiege the Rock.
1805
Battle of Trafalgar
Admiral Lord Nelson dies at The Battle of Trafalgar and his body is brought into Gibraltar on board the HMS Victory.
1810-1814
Napoleonic Wars
Gibraltar’s strategic importance becomes invaluable during the Napoleonic Wars
1830
Officially a Colony
Gibraltar becomes officially a British Crown Colony.
1848
Neanderthal Find
The Gibraltar skull is discovered in Forbes Quarry 8 years before the Neander Valley find
1914-1918
WWI
Gibraltar is used for convoy collection and covert anti-submarine operations during WWI
1939-1945
WWII
Gibraltar is again used during conflict by the British and allies, this time for convoy collection and as a base for anti-submarine operations. It becomes the main base for British and American campaigns in North Africa.
Tunnelling works inside the Rock is done by the British and Canadian engineers during WWII
1940
Mass Evacuation
All non-essential Gibraltarians are evacuated to the UK, Madeira, Northern Ireland, French Morocco and Jamaica.
1942
Operation Torch
US General D Eisenhower conducts his famous Operation Torch (the landing of US & Allied Troops in North Africa) from a secret tunnel in Gibraltar.
1954
Royal Visit
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II visits Gibraltar
1967
Referendum
First referendum – Gibraltarians vote 99.9% to remain under British sovereign.
1969
Spain closes the frontier
Spanish dictator General Franco orders the Spanish side of Frontier to be closed, cutting off all pedestrian and vehicular access into Spain.
1981
Royal Visit
Prince Charles and Princess Diana commence their honeymoon from Gibraltar. They then start their onward journey onboard the Royal Yacht Britannia.
1985
Frontier fully opens
Spain agrees to formally fully open the frontier with Gibraltar as part of the agreement for Spain to become EU member.
2009
Gibraltar Miss World
Kaiane Aldorino becomes the first Gibraltarian to ever win Miss World.
2013-2016
Gibraltar Football
2013 – 24 May – The Gibraltar Football Association is accepted as a full UEFA member.
2016: 13 May – The Gibraltar Football Association is accepted as a full FIFA
2016
UNESCO title
Gorham’s Cave complex attains the UNESCO World Heritage Site status
2020
Brexit
Gibraltar is forced to withdraw from the EU due to the Brexit Referendum.
We surely hope that you have enjoyed reading the post as much as we have enjoyed writing the article.
Please feel free to share the article using the buttons below:
ROCK OF GIBRALTAR TOUR
The Rock of Gibraltar Going on a Rock of Gibraltar Tour is one of the most popular things to do in Gibraltar. If visiting, it …
BOAT TRIPS IN GIBRALTAR
As a peninsular, Gibraltar has numerous water sport activities for visitors to enjoy; however, make sure to experience some boat trips in Gibraltar. Ranging from …
Trips to Gibraltar – Book NOW your stress free trip
Planning a holiday to Gibraltar? Booking trips to Gibraltar can sometimes be stressful and challenging for some visitors. There are very different entry requirements to …
Gibraltar Day Tour – how to book the best experience
Booking a good Gibraltar Day Tour is essential if you only spend a couple of hours in Gibraltar. Gibraltar Tourism consists of many tourist attractions, …
Things to do in Gibraltar – Discover the BEST exclusive tours
There is an abundance of things to do in Gibraltar. The exotic land of Gibraltar is a marvel to witness. Furthermore, this small territory is …
Gibraltar History – A simple synopsis
Gibraltar’s History – Summary Gibraltar History…steeped in our past; the result of an intertwining and moulding of civilisations and cultures which dates back many thousands …