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Europa Point
For tourists who seriously want to find out how the British overseas
territory Gibraltar is divided with regards to the places that can be
visited, it should be quite interesting to know that the area has five
general divisions. These areas are as follows: The Upper Rock Nature
Reserve, the town proper, the Gibraltar Bay, the Eastern corner, and the
Southern corner. Each of these divisions has its own set of attractions
that has collectively made Gibraltar the ultimate tourist haven.
With the possible exception of the eastern corner of the town, the rest of
the geographical divisions of the town boasts of several places rich in
history that are more than enough to provide tourists with a better
understanding and appreciation of the various events that helped shape
Gibraltar into what it is in the present times.
Of course, the eastern corner is one area in Gibraltar that should not be
totally ignored by any visitor, local or foreign. Although the place may
not have much to offer in terms of historical places, it is still an area
worth paying a visit basically because it is rich in natural scenery that
are a definite delight to genuine nature lovers. Good examples of these
are the enormous Gibraltar cliffs and the breath-taking Catalan bay, both
of which are located east of Gibraltar. The warmth and simplicity that one
can experience in this particular Gibraltar area provides the perfect
contrast to the sometimes cold and frigid atmosphere that one can
encounter in the other places of the town.
The South Side
For history buffs, the southern Gibraltar corner is the perfect area
to go where their cravings for history lessons will definitely be
satisfied. The area plays host to several historic landmarks that were
founded decades before and have very interesting stories behind them.
Among these are Parsons Lodge, the 100 Ton Gun, the Ibrahim-al-Ibrahim
mosque, and Europa Point.
Of all the attractions that can be visited on the southern side of
Gibraltar, it is in the Europa Point area where one is expected to
have the most enjoyable moments.
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The Southern Edge
Europa Point offers a unique and natural attraction to many Gibraltar
visitors basically due to several reasons. Foremost of these is the fact
that the place is located at the southernmost corner of Gibraltar. Thus,
getting to the place is like practically reaching the edge of Gibraltar
itself.
Some people have even boldly remarked that heading out to this part of the
town is like heading out to the very edge of the European continent as
well. Based on this line of reasoning, Europa Point has come up with
another reason for being rated as a major tourist destination in
Gibraltar. Getting to the area, and thereby getting to the edge of
Gibraltar, affords one the chance to see several awe-inspiring views that
are literally lying on the edge. This includes the continent of Africa,
the Morocco Rif Mountains, the Gibraltar Strait, and several Spanish towns
situated near the border of Spain and Gibraltar. On clear and calm days,
these sites become extra special amidst the onrush of gentle waves against
the Gibraltar shorelines while cool breeze regularly embrace the many
rocks nearby.
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Other sites that are seen quite clearly when one gets to reach Europa
Point are the Windmill Hill fortresses and the south ridge batteries.
While they may not actually be within the Europa Point vicinity, a good
size view of them is very possible.
Apart from the spectacular views, however, Europa Point also offers
several other attractions. As a matter of fact, three notable landmarks
can be found here. The first two are places of worship for Muslims and
Christians, the Ibrahim-al-Ibrahim Mosque, and the Shrine of Our Lady of
Europe respectively. The third landmark is a lighthouse, said to be the
only lighthouse known to operate outside of Great Britain. It also happens
to serve as the main attraction of Europa Point in terms of Gibraltar
historical sites.
A Point Overview
While it is largely acknowledged as the southernmost corner of Gibraltar
land, the Europa Point area has nevertheless also been referred to as the
southern edge of Europe itself. This is only partly accurate, because
geographers actually point to Tarifa as the extreme southern point of the
European continent. Tarifa is a little-known town in Spain situated
between the Gibraltar Strait and the Costa de la Luz. One is able to get a
glimpse of this small Spanish town upon reaching the vicinity of Europa
Point.
The Europa Point area is actually a plateau with huge cliffs covering a
great part of its eastern side. From here, one can literally get to enjoy
an unrestricted and unopposed observation of the general outline of the
nearby African continent, especially under clear and sunny skies. Because
of this, Europa Point has come to be acknowledged as the nearest point
between two great but distinct continents namely Africa and Europe.
Some references point to the vicinity of Europa Point as one of Hercules’
two pillars. The other one is reportedly Jebel Musa located in Africa on
its northern wing. This may not be entirely correct as the first pillar
more accurately points to Gibraltar land itself.
However, the reference to Europa Point as one of Hercules’ pillars cannot
be totally discredited basically due to the fact that it is located at the
southernmost corner of Gibraltar aside from being merely 23 kilometers
away from the other known pillar situated just across the Gibraltar
Strait.
In spite of this small discrepancy in descriptions, this should not be
reason enough to detract from the basic fact that Europa Point hosts some
very spectacular sites that continuously draw visitors from all around the
world.
Europa Point Attractions
Of the three major landmarks that are located at Europa Point, it is
perhaps the lighthouse that commands the greatest prominence. It is
estimated to be 150 years old, its foundation stone having been laid
sometime in 1838 by Lady Dowager Queen Adelaide.
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The landmark was said to have taken three long years before finally being
completed and stands about 162 feet tall when measured from its light
above down to its high water indication at the bottom. It is said that by
merely standing beside the lighthouse, one can clearly see the other known
Hercules pillar, the North African-based Jebel Musa.
Built under the supervision of then Governor Sir Alexander Woodford with
great help coming from the British Royal Engineers, the lighthouse image
is said to be quite visible from as far as 27 kilometers away. It used to
be operated manually but in 1994, efforts were finally made to operate the
lighthouse through remote control means.
Interestingly, a map of silver can be found inside the lighthouse. The
map is said to contain directions on where one can possibly end up the
moment one goes further south from the edge of Europa Point.
Additionally, one can also get to see a spotting station near the
lighthouse. Operated by Lloyd’s of London, it is regarded as the only
station of its kind existing in a foreign land and regularly making a
record of all merchant ships entering or departing from the waters of
the Mediterranean.
Another major landmark located in the Europa Point area is the
Ibrahim-al-Ibrahim Mosque, a generally new site serving as an added
attraction in the area. The building was constructed sometime in 1997
and was given as a present to the Gibraltar government courtesy of the
late Saudi ruler, King Fahd Al-Saud. |
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The third Europa Point landmark is considered the oldest of the three
impressive structures found in the area. The Chapel of Our Lady of Europe,
said to have been built centuries prior to the lighthouse construction,
was founded on the feast day of a famous Catholic saint, St. Bernard of
Clairvaux, which was on August 20, 1462. On that particular day, the
Spanish forces, led by Don Rodrigo Ponce de Leon, successfully recaptured
Gibraltar land from the hands of the Muslim Moors.
Upon reaching the Europa Point area, a story is told on how the conquering
Spaniards found a small mosque which they decided to convert into a
Catholic chapel with which to honor the Virgin Mother as the patroness of
the continent of Europe. Ultimately, the goal of the Spaniards was to
consecrate the whole of Europe to the Lord through Mother Mary from an
area of worship and prayer that is located at the southernmost edge of the
continent.
Eventually, the chapel was extended to the eastern corner of the former
mosque until the entire area transformed into its present status as a
Catholic shrine. Inside, a small statue of Mother Mary with the Holy
Infant on her bosom was installed. Although basically made of wood, the
image was nevertheless garbed in garments of royal blue, red, and gold. A
scepter having three flowers can be observed in the right hand of the
Blessed Mother, with the three flowers standing for the ideals of Love,
Justice, and Truth.
For more than two centuries, the shrine became a popular shelter for
merchant ships. Meanwhile, other vessels passing by often saluted the
Virgin to thank her for guiding them across the perilous Mediterranean
waters. Many mariners are also known to come ashore at times to offer
gifts at the foot of the shrine. Many times, they have also provided the
needed oil in order to keep the light burning at the shrine both during
daytime and during nighttime so vessels could be properly guided and even
warned especially during times of extremely bad weather, which can make
traveling across the Mediterranean seas very treacherous.
Additionally, there is presently a corner museum located inside the
shrine where an image of the Blessed Mother dating to as far back as
the 1400’s is being displayed along with several other church
artifacts. Admission to the chapel is absolutely free, with visits
being allowed Mondays up to Fridays from 10AM up to 7PM.
In 1979, the shrine received additional honors when its patroness, Our
Lady of Europe, was officially approved as Gibraltar patroness. The
approval personally came from the late Pope John Paul II.
Getting to the Point
Traveling through the many Gibraltar places can be done either by foot or
by getting a motor ride. In the case of Europa Point, getting there can be
done by bus ride or by means of taxi tours. In the latter case, the tour
will obviously involve a stop over at the southernmost corner of the town.
Other Gibraltar areas will ostensibly be included, which can turn out to
be costly, especially if one is exclusively interested in just visiting
one particular Gibraltar attraction — Europa Point.
However, tour rides do have the advantage of giving valuable information
on every visited area in Gibraltar, thereby enabling tourists to not only
see the places, but to also get to learn little-known things about them.
In addition, tour maps courtesy of the Gibraltar Tourist Board are often
provided during these guided tours which can be quite helpful in the event
that one gets lost at any given time during the entire length of the tour.
On the other hand, a Europa Point bus ride is definitely a more
cost-friendly alternative. Additionally, they can be availed of anytime
during daytime, provided one knows the exact bus departure.
Bus rides direct to the Europa Point area can be taken from central
Gibraltar at Line Wall Road, which is located within the most prominent
street in Gibraltar, Main Street. Once there, simply look for two
particular buses, Bus #3 and Bus #1B, both of which are specifically
tasked to take visitors straight to the Europa Point vicinity. Each bus
ride costs 90 cents but only on a one-way trip, with departures taking
place 15 minutes apart.
Renting a car in getting to the Europa Point area is not highly
recommended, especially if one is a first-time visitor to Gibraltar land.
Majority of the roads in and around the town, including that which leads
to the main Europa Point area, are quite narrow and at times winding.
Needless to say, navigating across these roads can prove to be very
difficult.
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