1 00:00:05,779 --> 00:00:08,330 Gibraltar is a small peninsula with an epic profile 2 00:00:08,330 --> 00:00:12,559 that lies at the south of Spain. 3 00:00:12,560 --> 00:00:14,800 Just a 3-hour flight from London, 4 00:00:14,800 --> 00:00:16,340 it is a tiny slice of the British Empire 5 00:00:16,340 --> 00:00:22,240 with a heroic colonial history and 300 days of sunshine each year. 6 00:00:31,780 --> 00:00:34,660 Although it covers less than 3 square miles, 7 00:00:34,660 --> 00:00:39,260 Gibraltar's strategic location has made it one of the most fought over places in Europe. 8 00:00:39,260 --> 00:00:43,160 For centuries, it has withstood political manoeuvring, 9 00:00:43,160 --> 00:00:45,20 sieges and battles, 10 00:00:45,30 --> 00:00:50,739 and today with its red phone boxes, Union Jacks and high street shops, 11 00:00:50,740 --> 00:00:53,60 Gibraltar staunchly stands as a small pocket of England 12 00:00:53,60 --> 00:00:56,980 in the heart of the Mediterranean. 13 00:00:59,800 --> 00:01:01,640 No matter where you go here, 14 00:01:01,640 --> 00:01:03,400 the Rock of Gibraltar looms large. 15 00:01:03,400 --> 00:01:09,620 Take the cable car right to the top of this 1,400 foot high limestone ridge 16 00:01:09,620 --> 00:01:12,160 and enjoy the spectacular views; south, 17 00:01:12,160 --> 00:01:15,300 across the Strait of Gibraltar to the African coastline, 18 00:01:15,320 --> 00:01:18,440 and north to Spain. 19 00:01:18,440 --> 00:01:24,640 According to legend, this is where Hercules separated Europe from Africa 20 00:01:24,640 --> 00:01:29,600 and the cliffs on each side were once known as the Pillars of Hercules. 21 00:01:34,300 --> 00:01:37,460 If the Rock of Gibraltar is famous around the world, 22 00:01:37,480 --> 00:01:39,200 so are its residents, 23 00:01:39,200 --> 00:01:43,780 the Barbary Macaques that have lived here for centuries. 24 00:01:43,780 --> 00:01:49,960 Visitors flock here to watch the antics of the only population of wild monkeys in Europe. 25 00:01:49,960 --> 00:01:52,579 Be warned though, they can be light fingered 26 00:01:52,580 --> 00:01:54,40 if they think there are treats to be enjoyed. 27 00:01:55,80 --> 00:01:58,380 It is said that, as long as the monkeys remain on the rock, 28 00:01:58,380 --> 00:02:00,840 so will the British. 29 00:02:01,620 --> 00:02:05,840 It's a legend, born during one of the longest sieges in history 30 00:02:05,840 --> 00:02:09,280 when the French and Spanish tried unsuccessfully to take Gibraltar by force 31 00:02:09,280 --> 00:02:13,720 during four bloody years in the 18th century. 32 00:02:15,580 --> 00:02:16,280 The way locals tell it, 33 00:02:16,290 --> 00:02:20,150 at least one surprise attack during the siege was thwarted by the monkeys 34 00:02:20,150 --> 00:02:24,120 who alerted the night watch to the invaders with their commotion. 35 00:02:26,880 --> 00:02:30,960 Take a tour through the great siege tunnels built during this time. 36 00:02:30,960 --> 00:02:34,80 They remain one of the most impressive feats of military engineering 37 00:02:34,80 --> 00:02:38,740 and helped the English to a seemingly impossible victory. 38 00:02:38,740 --> 00:02:40,120 Using only hand tools and gunpowder, 39 00:02:40,120 --> 00:02:48,740 18 men dug this 82 foot tunnel in less than 5 weeks to provide access to the rock's north face. 40 00:02:48,740 --> 00:02:54,520 From this position, they were able to fire onto enemy lines and hold off the invaders. 41 00:02:56,920 --> 00:03:01,360 Discover more stories of battle and bravery with a tour of the Military Heritage Centre, 42 00:03:01,360 --> 00:03:06,800 a former artillery battery near the entrance to the tunnels. 43 00:03:07,620 --> 00:03:09,340 Here, you'll find relics from the great siege, 44 00:03:09,340 --> 00:03:12,40 as well as a Memorial Chamber which pays tribute 45 00:03:12,40 --> 00:03:17,960 to all those who gave their lives in defence of Gibraltar over the centuries. 46 00:03:18,60 --> 00:03:20,960 During the second world war, 47 00:03:20,960 --> 00:03:26,0 the Mediterranean became a main theatre of war and Gibraltar again became a key target. 48 00:03:27,520 --> 00:03:28,40 To withstand the attacks, 49 00:03:28,40 --> 00:03:34,740 almost all the civilians were evacuated and more than 30 more miles of tunnels were built, 50 00:03:34,740 --> 00:03:38,640 creating an underground city beneath the rock. 51 00:03:42,980 --> 00:03:44,700 Hike to the Moorish Castle, 52 00:03:44,700 --> 00:03:49,60 a medieval fortification which is one of the most recognised features of the rock. 53 00:03:49,60 --> 00:03:52,680 The Union Jack you'll see flying from the tower 54 00:03:52,680 --> 00:03:57,860 was first raised in 1704 and has flown proudly ever since. 55 00:04:00,740 --> 00:04:03,760 A short walk downhill is St Michael's Cave, 56 00:04:03,760 --> 00:04:09,660 a network of limestone caves that has fascinated visitors since roman times. 57 00:04:09,660 --> 00:04:12,780 Carved by thousands of years of rainwater, 58 00:04:12,790 --> 00:04:14,239 this cave once believed to be bottomless, 59 00:04:14,240 --> 00:04:21,920 is open to visitors and is a dramatic backdrop for concerts, ballets and theatre performances. 60 00:04:31,580 --> 00:04:35,100 For another dramatic backdrop, visit the very southern tip of Gibraltar. 61 00:04:35,100 --> 00:04:40,360 Here, you'll find the Europa Point Lighthouse with its classically British design, 62 00:04:40,360 --> 00:04:43,140 as well as the Ibrahim-Al-Ibrahim Mosque, 63 00:04:43,140 --> 00:04:47,820 one of the largest mosques in a non-muslim country. 64 00:04:51,720 --> 00:04:54,540 Gibraltar's cultural blend is truly unique 65 00:04:54,540 --> 00:04:58,720 and nowhere is this more evident than along Main Street. 66 00:04:58,720 --> 00:05:01,440 Almost every building here was destroyed during the great siege 67 00:05:01,440 --> 00:05:04,30 and it has been rebuilt over the centuries, 68 00:05:04,30 --> 00:05:07,960 creating a streetscape like no other. 69 00:05:11,920 --> 00:05:15,640 Stroll to the northern end to Grand Casemates Square 70 00:05:15,640 --> 00:05:19,860 and the Old Town which dates back to medieval times. 71 00:05:19,860 --> 00:05:21,200 Once this was the site of hangings, 72 00:05:21,200 --> 00:05:25,720 but today, it is a thriving hub of pubs, bars and restaurants 73 00:05:25,720 --> 00:05:29,540 and a great place to relax with a pint of lager. 74 00:05:32,900 --> 00:05:35,580 From English pints to Spanish paella, 75 00:05:35,580 --> 00:05:37,200 historic battles to cheeky monkeys, 76 00:05:37,200 --> 00:05:42,319 Gibraltar's magic lies in its unexpected mix of the familiar and the exotic 77 00:05:43,860 --> 00:05:47,240 a small taste of England right in the heart of the Mediterranean.