The only place in Europe where monkeys live freely is Gibraltar, the British Overseas Territory located at the southern tip of the continent.
As we admire Gibraltar's most famous natural landmark – the Rock of Gibraltar – from the viewpoint, we also have to contend with another local attraction: the large family of Barbary macaques. These agile little monkeys, half tame and half wild, wander freely among the tourists without the slightest concern. Usually about fifty to sixty centimeters tall, with stocky bodies, short legs, and yellowish-brown fur, they are perfectly at home here. In fact, they seem delighted whenever the cable car brings up another group of visitors: fresh sandwiches, baguettes, fruit, and plenty of opportunities for a quick snack.
The bolder monkeys can snatch food from your hand or bag in a split second if you let your guard down. And while you're busy taking the perfect photo, they'll happily rummage through a backpack left on the ground, sometimes even stealing a mobile phone, only to toss it aside in disappointment once they realize it isn't edible.
Monkeys: The Guardians of British Rule?
These monkeys, weighing between five and ten kilograms, usually give birth to a single offspring. The young are born with their eyes open and spend their first months clinging to their mother's fur as they discover the world around them.
The father stays close to the new family, faithfully following them, and searching for food. Even though the macaques are fed daily by their caretakers. These small primates are allowed to roam freely not only out of concern for the animals or as a tourist attraction, but also because of tradition, and perhaps a touch of superstition. According to an old British saying, British rule over Gibraltar will last only as long as the monkeys remain there. Even former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill took this seriously. He is credited with ordering the major reintroduction of Barbary macaques during the 1940s.
For the British, who have been here for more than three centuries, maintaining control of this strategically important peninsula has always been a priority. Gibraltar occupies just 6.5 square kilometers at the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula, where the Mediterranean Sea meets the Atlantic Ocean. Its highest point is the Rock of Gibraltar, a limestone ridge about 1,250 meters long, facing north and east, and rising 426 meters above the sea.
If You're Here, Don't Miss These
Anyone spending a holiday in southern Spain or exploring Andalusia should make time for a visit to the British Overseas Territory with a population of around 30,000, most of whom are British. Gibraltar is home to a major British naval base and an airport that now serves commercial passenger flights as well. Its 900-meter runway crosses the main road into the territory, so whenever an aircraft lands or takes off, barriers and traffic lights bring pedestrians, cars, and buses to a stop.
One of Gibraltar's main attractions is Main Street, where shops offer jewelry, watches, spirits, and electronics at attractive duty-free prices. From the town center, you can take a bus to the southern tip of the peninsula, Europa Point, home to the lighthouse, where on a clear day you can see the coast of Africa. At the end of Main Street, it's just a short walk to the 30-person cable car, which carries visitors to the top of the Rock in just a few minutes, where the famous Barbary macaques await.
