With a past influenced by its position of strategic significance, Gibraltar’s history is a story spanning 3,000 years and some of history's great empires.

Gibraltar’s history as we know it first started to develop in the eighth century when the leader of the invading Arab army conquered Spain and changed its name to Gibraltar from its Greek given name; Calpe. Tarik, the leader of the invading army did not found a city straight away and instead built a fortification at the site where the Southport Gates stand today. It was the Sultan of Morocco who built a small settlement in the shadow of the Castle and Citadel who founded the actual city of Gibraltar in 1160. When sightseeing in Gibraltar you will be able to find the ruins that remain from this period in Gibraltar history.

It was 200 years later in Gibraltar’s history, and after the fall of Algeciras to Christian forces that the City as we know it today started to take shape. The Main Street still stands on the same line as what was built in this period by the Muslims. During and following the capture of the town by the Castilians in 1309-33 the town expanded significantly with the lower town area constructed in this period in Gibraltar history turning it into a substantial city.

Britain under Cromwell first became interested in Gibraltar but did not capture it until the War of the Spanish Succession, becoming a British garrison and colony in 1830. The loss of Gibraltar hurt the Spanish who forcibly tried to take back the city on two occasions in the 18th century, to devastating effect in a bloody period of Gibraltar history.

The first siege by the Spanish in 1727 saw a force of 12,000 under the command of the Marquis de las Torres fail to break the resolve of the 5,000 British troops stationed at Gibraltar.  The second siege was a far more bloody battle, starting in 1779 when Spain joined Forces with France during a time that Britain was preoccupied by the American Revolution. British troops once again defended the city after a battle lasting four long years that resulted in the near destruction of many significant Moorish buildings.

The rock once again turned in to a fortress during World War II when its civilian residents were evacuated, as it became a key naval base for Allied forces. In the years after the war, Spain stepped up its claim for ownership especially under dictator Franco and despite the best efforts of Jack Straw in the early 2000s a referendum proposing Spain and England share sovereignty of Gibraltar was overwhelmingly unsupported by the electorate.

To this day as well as having a reputation for being a first class holiday destination shopping in Gibraltar is popular amongst Brits looking for duty free bargains.