Europa Point

Europa Point as seen from the Straits of Gibraltar

Europa Point is the southernmost point of Gibraltar, jutting into the Straits of Gibraltar. It is at the very end of Rock, a flat area and occupied by a few houses, a playing field, a Roman Catholic shrine and a mosque, with a lighthouse on the very headland. On a clear day, distinct views of North Africa can be appreciated across the Straits, including Ceuta and the Rif Mountains of Morocco; as well as the Bay of Gibraltar and Spanish towns along its far shores.

There are three notable buildings, the Ibrahim-al-Ibrahim Mosque, the Roman Catholic Shrine of Our Lady of Europe, and the Europe Point Lighthouse.

Europa Point is linked with the eastern side of the Rock, including Sandy Bay and Catalan Bay, by way of Dudley Ward Tunnel. The tunnel re-opened in 2010 after eight years' closure following a fatal rockfall.

Europa Point Lighthouse

Europa Point lighthouse

The Europa Point Lighthouse was built by Governor Sir Alexander Woodford between 1838 and 1841. It was fully automated in February 1994 and its loom can be seen over a distance of 17 miles. It is the southernmost lighthouse for which Trinity House is responsible, and the only one outside the United Kingdom.

Gibraltarians refer to the lighthouse as "la farola" when conversing in the local Llanito dialect.

Every year the Gibraltar Amateur Radio operators transmit from the area of the lighthouse.

Shrine of Our Lady of Europe

The Shrine of Our Lady of Europe

On 20 August 1462, on the feat day of St Bernard of Clairvaux, the Spaniards under Don Rodrigo Ponce de León, captured Gibraltar from the Moors. They found a little mosque at Europa Point and converted it into a Christian shrine in honour of Mary the mother of Our Lord as Patroness of Europe, with devout intention of consecrating to God, through Mary, the whole continent, from a place of prayer and worship at this southernmost point.

Don Roderigo built a large chapel at right angles to the mosque's east wall and the whole area became the Shrine of Our Lady of Europe. A statue of the Virgin and Child was installed in this shrine. The idol was quite small, only two feet high or so, carved in wood and polychromed in royal red, blue and gold. Mary was seated in a simple chair, with the child Jesus on her lap. Both were crowned and Mary held in her right hand a sceptre with three flowers denoting Love, Truth and Justice. The shrine prospered in fame and popularity, for well over two centuries. Ships passing through the Strait saluted Our Lady as they passed Europa Point and mariners often came ashore with gifts to the shrine. Provisions were made by them for a constant supply of oil so that a light could be kept burning not only in front of the image but also in the tower.

Ibrahim-al-Ibrahim Mosque

Southern Face of the Mosque

The mosque at Europa Point is also known as the King Fahd bin Abdulaziz al-Saud Mosque or the Mosque of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. The building was a gift from King Fahd of Saudi Arabia and took two years to build at a cost of around £5 million. It was officially inaugurated on 8 August 1997. The mosque complex also contains a religious school, library, and lecture hall. It is the only purpose-built mosque in Gibraltar to serve the Muslims in the territory, who number over 2,000.

Pictures

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  View of Europa Point and the Rock of Gibraltar
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  View of the Rif mountains across the Straits from Europa Point
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  Europa Point toward Mediterranean Sea
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  Lighthouse

Outside links

("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Europa Point)