La Línea de la Concepción
Encyclopedia
La Línea de la Concepción (more often referred to as La Línea) is a town in Spain
, in the province of Cádiz
in Andalucia. It lies on the eastern isthmus of the Bay of Gibraltar
on the border with the British overseas territory of Gibraltar
, with which it has close economic and social links. It is situated on the sandy isthmus which unites the Rock of Gibraltar with the coast in the eastern flank of the Bay of Gibraltar, between Sierra Carbonera and the Rock of Gibraltar.
The town derives its name firstly from the línea or boundary line separating Spain from Gibraltar and secondly from the Immaculate Conception
of Mary, the Mother of Jesus. Its people are called in Spanish
linenses.
The first dwellings date back to the 18th century, which were behind the Spanish lines, being part of the municipality of San Roque
until 1870, when it became separate.
The people of La Línea have traditionally found work in Gibraltar, from the days in the 18th century when Gibraltar was an important naval port. This stopped with the total closure of the border by the Spanish government between 1969 and 1982 as a result of the dispute originating in 1960s Franco era between Britain and Spain regarding the sovereignty of Gibraltar. The border was fully reopened in 1985.
La Línea is a major supplier of fruit and vegetables to Gibraltar; other industries include the manufacture of cork, liquor, and fish paste. It also had an important military garrison with substantial fortifications and a port.
died without an heir to the Crown of Spain, the War of the Spanish Succession broke out between the two main pretenders to the Spanish throne Philip of Anjou and the later Archduke Charles of Austria. Philip was the grandson of Louis XIV of France
and had the support of France, while Austria
, England
and the Dutch
feared a possible alliance and/or a hypothetical union between the French and Spanish royal houses and so favoured Charles.
In August 1704, while returning to Lisbon
after the unsuccessful attempt to seize the city of Barcelona
, an Anglo-Dutch fleet of 45 English and 10 Dutch ships under the command of Admiral Sir George Rooke
landed about 10,000 sailors and marines to take the city of Gibraltar
from about 400 defenders, on behalf of Archduke Charles of Austria. The terms of surrender provided certain assurances but commanders lost control, sailors and marines engaged in rape and pillage
, desecrating most Catholic churches, and townspeople carried out reprisal killings. By 7 August, after order was restored, almost all the population felt that staying in Gibraltar was too dangerous and fled across the area of modern La Linea to San Roque and other nearby areas of Spain
. Most hoped that they would shortly be able to go back to their homes, but this never happened, British control of Gibraltar became firm, and in 1713 the Treaty of Utrecht
was signed, by which Spain ceded Gibraltar to Britain. The municipality of San Roque still has as its motto "Donde reside la de Gibraltar" ("where Gibraltar's population lives"). The town lands included the area of the modern La Línea de la Concepción.
The king of Spain Felipe V
, the name by which Philip of Anjou was crowned, ordered the Marquis de Villadarías to besiege the Plaza de Gibraltar. This first attempt to regain the city was unsuccessful and the Spanish army lifted the siege. However, to monitor the isthmus and to oppose a possible invasion of the rest of the territory, a permanent garrison was established in the area, under the military government of Campo de Gibraltar
.
and 1779 - 1783
) sieges. After the 1727 siege, the Spanish government made a decision that would be crucial in the history of the future Línea de la Concepción: the construction of a line of fortifications, the "Contravallation Line" or "La Línea de Gibraltar" ("The Line of Gibraltar"), which would isolate the British outpost from the Spanish mainland.
An order was issued on 2 November 1730 to the Director of Engineering Prospero Jorge de Verboom
, for the construction of two strongholds, one located to the east and the other at west of the isthmus, both united by a line of fortification, with the aim of preventing the movement and to assert rights over the isthmus, in addition to consolidate the Spanish presence in the area.
Construction began in 1731 on the two major strongholds, known as Santa Bárbara and San Felipe. The first was named in honor of the patroness of the Artillery, located at the east beach, where their remains are still visible. The second took its name to honor King Felipe V
, and is situated on the beach at sunset. Between these two strongholds a large wall was built with various central square tip diamond shaped bulwarks with their respective bodies, running from Santa Bárbara to San Felipe. All of them were located at equidistant distances and were called Santa Mariana, San Benito, semi-square and body guard of San José, San Fernando and San Carlos.
Construction of this formidable defensive line was completed in 1735; described now as 'Contravallation Line or La Linea de Gibraltar.
Thus, La Línea originated from a provisional camp made by artisans and merchants who supplied the military and their families in the vicinity of the fortifications erected to besiege Gibraltar
, because as a territory in dispute, a civilian population was not allowed to settle.
The bastions of The Line of Gibraltar would remain intact for twenty years, serving the purpose for which they were built. In the early 19th century the Iberian peninsula was invaded by the Napoleonic troops, leading to the Spanish War of Independence and the Peninsular War
.
Fearing that the French troops of Napoleon Bonaparte, which had already arrived in the Campo de Gibraltar
, might take over the fortresses of La Linea, the British destroyed them on 14 February 1810. Gibraltar, supported by La Linea, became an important base for Spanish fighters against Napoleon's troops.
After the destruction of the physical line that blocked the passage through the isthmus, the city continued to grow with a strong dependence on Gibraltar
, covering all sorts of services to the British colony (supply of food, meat, fruit, vegetables, and recreation, physical space for housing nearby and a labor force in the service of an expanding empire, etc.).
In due time, traders, merchants and workers wanted the simple line of buildings to become an independent municipality of San Roque, controlled by the military, landowners and aristocrats. On January 17, 1870 the segregation of La Linea from San Roque
was approved.
Some 300 inhabitants were located at Gibraltar Line, the place being named therefore, in Spanish, La Línea. The new municipality included the current Plaza de la Iglesia, Plaza de la Constitución, calle Real (Royal Street), Jardines Street and España Avenue. It had a cemetery, the command, a customs duty, guards and soldiers barracks being located beyond the neighborhood and Espigón far east on the beach.
Properly speaking, The Atunara or Tunara, later a slum area, should not be considered as a contemporary part of the line because its origins date back to some 640 years before the city itself.
On July 20, 1870 La Línea got its first mayor, Lutgardo López Muñoz, chosen by a committee of residents appointed by the provincial council. At the first meeting of the new city hall, it was unanimously decided the name should be La Línea de la Concepción, as the Immaculate Conception was deeply rooted in Spanish army tradition of the time. The name is recorded from 1883.
King Alfonso XIII
gave the title of "town" to La Línea de la Concepción in 1913.
During the War of Independence, Peninsular War
, in which Spain
and Great Britain
allied against their common enemy, Napoleonic France
, these fortifications were blown up by the British to avoid falling into the hands of France. Currently, the Fort of Santa Bárbara is in a recovery phase, while the Fort San Felipe remnants have appeared recently. Fort San Carlos does not seem to have left preserved evidence.
to the border with Portugal
. All of them were built during the reign of Felipe III
, along others located throughout the Mediterranean coast, from Malaga
to Catalonia
.
The purpose of these towers was to warn the coastal population on the presence of the Berber
pirate ships. In these watchtowers, smoke signals and bonfires warned one another of the presence of the pirate ships. At the top of the building, there was always a bundle of dry wood to be burned immediately in case of danger, transmitting the alarm signal on the towers nearby.
Over 120 years have passed since Luis Ramírez Galuzo which was undoubtedly one of the neighbors of the city with more economic means of the century, and the mayor on several occasions, submitted to the council for permission to build on own property, a bullring, to celebrate the Spanish festival, other festivals such as acrobatic, and other celebrations in the year 1880, the project being led by the provincial architect Adolfo del Castillo, author among other works, of the Abastos market, today Concepción market and the former Municipal Slaughterhouse now disappeared.
Inside the parish of the Immaculate Conception there are images of Jesús del Gran Poder, and others belonging to 4 religious guilds.
singer José Monge Cruz, Camarón de la Isla
, who lived much of his life in this city. The sculpture is also the work of Nacho Falgueras.
A stepping stone for learning music in the city for many years, together with the "Linense" Municipal Foundation of Culture and the Félix Enríquez Musical Society, particularly its most recent director Ignacio Ábalos Nuevo.
Currently under reform, there is still teaching going on. On the underground parking just below the extension of the Conservatory, archaeological remains of the 18th century Contravalación line were found and are now displayed nearby.
Plans for introducing soon the area of professional Opera Singing were put forward in December 2006 by famous International Opera soprano Singer Montserrat Caballé
.
It stores files documenting the city since 1887.
It stores a large collection of bullfighting posters, costumes, herds, stamps, photographs of bullfighters, and so on.
Composed of four rooms and a chapel, Manolete hall, El Gordito hall, Antonio Duarte "Pota" lounge, El Marinero hall and the Frascuelo hall.
With thousands of photographs, bullfight posters, marking irons, torero costumes, trophies, capes, flags, stocks, etc..
With over 50 years of history, it can be considered one of the most important ones in the country. Founder: José Cabrera Duarte, a great fan of bullfighting, and a keen collector of all kinds.
Thanks to this mild climate and its two distinct coastlines, the west and east. La Línea has 14 km of beaches, named La Alcaidesa, Santa Barbara, El Burgo Sobrevela, Portichuelos, Torrenueva of tuna and west, some of which are awarded each year a blue flag by the Coastal European Authorities. For instance, in 2007, the beaches of La Alcaidesa and Sobrevela obtained this recognition.
Demographic trends since 1900.
By air:
By Train:
This will be on the site previously used by the La Linea fair.
The facility will have 777 berths and will have an extension of a plot of 59,898 m²
and a sheet of water of 239,947 m²
for the construction and operation of facilities nautical-use sports and recreational commercial.La total duration of the works is estimated at 3 years and the project is justified by the high demand for moorings for yachts, especially in the area of the Rock of Gibraltar.
An ambitious project called the Marina Line will give life to the area, ordering a ground urbanistically 3 hectares claimed from the sea and develop an attractive and different that will fill the gap in recreational activities and services and trade.
Currently under construction. Possible redevelopment of the Castle of Santa Barbara.
Pending the Board of Andalusia permission for its opening. Because the ruling party on the line is of a different political signal to the ruling on the Board of Andalusia, but the building is fully constructed and empowered from time to teaching, the Board of Andalusia takes three years to block its opening, damaging the music community linens
The six million visitors a year who come to Gibraltar to visit 62 stores that generate wealth for the city. Currently at an advanced stage of construction, together with the refurbishment of the tourist office.
Completed in 2008.
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
, in the province of Cádiz
Cádiz (province)
Cádiz is a province of southern Spain, in the southwestern part of the autonomous community of Andalusia, the southernmost part of continental Western Europe....
in Andalucia. It lies on the eastern isthmus of the Bay of Gibraltar
Bay of Gibraltar
The Bay of Gibraltar is a bay at the southern end of the Iberian Peninsula. It is around long by wide, covering an area of some , with a depth of up to in the centre of the bay...
on the border with the British overseas territory of Gibraltar
Gibraltar
Gibraltar is a British overseas territory located on the southern end of the Iberian Peninsula at the entrance of the Mediterranean. A peninsula with an area of , it has a northern border with Andalusia, Spain. The Rock of Gibraltar is the major landmark of the region...
, with which it has close economic and social links. It is situated on the sandy isthmus which unites the Rock of Gibraltar with the coast in the eastern flank of the Bay of Gibraltar, between Sierra Carbonera and the Rock of Gibraltar.
The town derives its name firstly from the línea or boundary line separating Spain from Gibraltar and secondly from the Immaculate Conception
Immaculate Conception
The Immaculate Conception of Mary is a dogma of the Roman Catholic Church, according to which the Virgin Mary was conceived without any stain of original sin. It is one of the four dogmata in Roman Catholic Mariology...
of Mary, the Mother of Jesus. Its people are called in Spanish
Spanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
linenses.
The first dwellings date back to the 18th century, which were behind the Spanish lines, being part of the municipality of San Roque
San Roque
San Roque may refer to:Places* San Roque, Antioquia, a place in Colombia* San Roque, Cádiz, a place in Spain* San Roque, California, a residential neighborhood in Santa Barbara, California in the United States...
until 1870, when it became separate.
The people of La Línea have traditionally found work in Gibraltar, from the days in the 18th century when Gibraltar was an important naval port. This stopped with the total closure of the border by the Spanish government between 1969 and 1982 as a result of the dispute originating in 1960s Franco era between Britain and Spain regarding the sovereignty of Gibraltar. The border was fully reopened in 1985.
La Línea is a major supplier of fruit and vegetables to Gibraltar; other industries include the manufacture of cork, liquor, and fish paste. It also had an important military garrison with substantial fortifications and a port.
The War of Spanish Succession and the British occupation of Gibraltar
When Charles IICharles II of Spain
Charles II was the last Habsburg King of Spain and the ruler of large parts of Italy, the Spanish territories in the Southern Low Countries, and Spain's overseas Empire, stretching from the Americas to the Spanish East Indies...
died without an heir to the Crown of Spain, the War of the Spanish Succession broke out between the two main pretenders to the Spanish throne Philip of Anjou and the later Archduke Charles of Austria. Philip was the grandson of Louis XIV of France
Louis XIV of France
Louis XIV , known as Louis the Great or the Sun King , was a Bourbon monarch who ruled as King of France and Navarre. His reign, from 1643 to his death in 1715, began at the age of four and lasted seventy-two years, three months, and eighteen days...
and had the support of France, while Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
and the Dutch
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
feared a possible alliance and/or a hypothetical union between the French and Spanish royal houses and so favoured Charles.
In August 1704, while returning to Lisbon
Lisbon
Lisbon is the capital city and largest city of Portugal with a population of 545,245 within its administrative limits on a land area of . The urban area of Lisbon extends beyond the administrative city limits with a population of 3 million on an area of , making it the 9th most populous urban...
after the unsuccessful attempt to seize the city of Barcelona
Barcelona
Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain after Madrid, and the capital of Catalonia, with a population of 1,621,537 within its administrative limits on a land area of...
, an Anglo-Dutch fleet of 45 English and 10 Dutch ships under the command of Admiral Sir George Rooke
George Rooke
Admiral of the Fleet Sir George Rooke was an English naval commander. He is known for his service in the wars against France and particularly remembered today for his victory at Vigo Bay and for capturing Gibraltar for the British in 1704.-Early life:Rooke was born at St Lawrence, near Canterbury...
landed about 10,000 sailors and marines to take the city of Gibraltar
Gibraltar
Gibraltar is a British overseas territory located on the southern end of the Iberian Peninsula at the entrance of the Mediterranean. A peninsula with an area of , it has a northern border with Andalusia, Spain. The Rock of Gibraltar is the major landmark of the region...
from about 400 defenders, on behalf of Archduke Charles of Austria. The terms of surrender provided certain assurances but commanders lost control, sailors and marines engaged in rape and pillage
Looting
Looting —also referred to as sacking, plundering, despoiling, despoliation, and pillaging—is the indiscriminate taking of goods by force as part of a military or political victory, or during a catastrophe, such as during war, natural disaster, or rioting...
, desecrating most Catholic churches, and townspeople carried out reprisal killings. By 7 August, after order was restored, almost all the population felt that staying in Gibraltar was too dangerous and fled across the area of modern La Linea to San Roque and other nearby areas of Spain
Campo de Gibraltar
The comarca of the Campo de Gibraltar is a comarca in the province of Cádiz, Spain, in the southwestern part of the autonomous community of Andalusia, the southernmost part of continental Western Europe...
. Most hoped that they would shortly be able to go back to their homes, but this never happened, British control of Gibraltar became firm, and in 1713 the Treaty of Utrecht
Treaty of Utrecht
The Treaty of Utrecht, which established the Peace of Utrecht, comprises a series of individual peace treaties, rather than a single document, signed by the belligerents in the War of Spanish Succession, in the Dutch city of Utrecht in March and April 1713...
was signed, by which Spain ceded Gibraltar to Britain. The municipality of San Roque still has as its motto "Donde reside la de Gibraltar" ("where Gibraltar's population lives"). The town lands included the area of the modern La Línea de la Concepción.
The king of Spain Felipe V
Philip V of Spain
Philip V was King of Spain from 15 November 1700 to 15 January 1724, when he abdicated in favor of his son Louis, and from 6 September 1724, when he assumed the throne again upon his son's death, to his death.Before his reign, Philip occupied an exalted place in the royal family of France as a...
, the name by which Philip of Anjou was crowned, ordered the Marquis de Villadarías to besiege the Plaza de Gibraltar. This first attempt to regain the city was unsuccessful and the Spanish army lifted the siege. However, to monitor the isthmus and to oppose a possible invasion of the rest of the territory, a permanent garrison was established in the area, under the military government of Campo de Gibraltar
Campo de Gibraltar
The comarca of the Campo de Gibraltar is a comarca in the province of Cádiz, Spain, in the southwestern part of the autonomous community of Andalusia, the southernmost part of continental Western Europe...
.
The Contravallation Line or La Línea de Gibraltar
Gibraltar was under constant surveillance and subject to the unsuccessful (1727Siege of Gibraltar (1727)
The Siege of Gibraltar of 1727 saw Spanish forces besiege the British garrison of Gibraltar as part of the Anglo-Spanish War. Depending on the sources, Spanish troops were between 12,000 and 25,000. British defenders were 1,500 at the beginning of the siege, increasing up to about 5,000...
and 1779 - 1783
Great Siege of Gibraltar
The Great Siege of Gibraltar was an unsuccessful attempt by Spain and France to capture Gibraltar from the British during the American War of Independence. This was the largest action fought during the war in terms of numbers, particularly the Grand Assault of 18 September 1782...
) sieges. After the 1727 siege, the Spanish government made a decision that would be crucial in the history of the future Línea de la Concepción: the construction of a line of fortifications, the "Contravallation Line" or "La Línea de Gibraltar" ("The Line of Gibraltar"), which would isolate the British outpost from the Spanish mainland.
An order was issued on 2 November 1730 to the Director of Engineering Prospero Jorge de Verboom
Prospero Jorge de Verboom
George Prosper Van Verboom, also known as Jorge Próspero de Verboom , was a Flemish-born military engineer in the service of the King of Spain...
, for the construction of two strongholds, one located to the east and the other at west of the isthmus, both united by a line of fortification, with the aim of preventing the movement and to assert rights over the isthmus, in addition to consolidate the Spanish presence in the area.
Construction began in 1731 on the two major strongholds, known as Santa Bárbara and San Felipe. The first was named in honor of the patroness of the Artillery, located at the east beach, where their remains are still visible. The second took its name to honor King Felipe V
Philip V of Spain
Philip V was King of Spain from 15 November 1700 to 15 January 1724, when he abdicated in favor of his son Louis, and from 6 September 1724, when he assumed the throne again upon his son's death, to his death.Before his reign, Philip occupied an exalted place in the royal family of France as a...
, and is situated on the beach at sunset. Between these two strongholds a large wall was built with various central square tip diamond shaped bulwarks with their respective bodies, running from Santa Bárbara to San Felipe. All of them were located at equidistant distances and were called Santa Mariana, San Benito, semi-square and body guard of San José, San Fernando and San Carlos.
Construction of this formidable defensive line was completed in 1735; described now as 'Contravallation Line or La Linea de Gibraltar.
Thus, La Línea originated from a provisional camp made by artisans and merchants who supplied the military and their families in the vicinity of the fortifications erected to besiege Gibraltar
Gibraltar
Gibraltar is a British overseas territory located on the southern end of the Iberian Peninsula at the entrance of the Mediterranean. A peninsula with an area of , it has a northern border with Andalusia, Spain. The Rock of Gibraltar is the major landmark of the region...
, because as a territory in dispute, a civilian population was not allowed to settle.
The bastions of The Line of Gibraltar would remain intact for twenty years, serving the purpose for which they were built. In the early 19th century the Iberian peninsula was invaded by the Napoleonic troops, leading to the Spanish War of Independence and the Peninsular War
Peninsular War
The Peninsular War was a war between France and the allied powers of Spain, the United Kingdom, and Portugal for control of the Iberian Peninsula during the Napoleonic Wars. The war began when French and Spanish armies crossed Spain and invaded Portugal in 1807. Then, in 1808, France turned on its...
.
Fearing that the French troops of Napoleon Bonaparte, which had already arrived in the Campo de Gibraltar
Campo de Gibraltar
The comarca of the Campo de Gibraltar is a comarca in the province of Cádiz, Spain, in the southwestern part of the autonomous community of Andalusia, the southernmost part of continental Western Europe...
, might take over the fortresses of La Linea, the British destroyed them on 14 February 1810. Gibraltar, supported by La Linea, became an important base for Spanish fighters against Napoleon's troops.
After the destruction of the physical line that blocked the passage through the isthmus, the city continued to grow with a strong dependence on Gibraltar
Gibraltar
Gibraltar is a British overseas territory located on the southern end of the Iberian Peninsula at the entrance of the Mediterranean. A peninsula with an area of , it has a northern border with Andalusia, Spain. The Rock of Gibraltar is the major landmark of the region...
, covering all sorts of services to the British colony (supply of food, meat, fruit, vegetables, and recreation, physical space for housing nearby and a labor force in the service of an expanding empire, etc.).
In due time, traders, merchants and workers wanted the simple line of buildings to become an independent municipality of San Roque, controlled by the military, landowners and aristocrats. On January 17, 1870 the segregation of La Linea from San Roque
San Roque
San Roque may refer to:Places* San Roque, Antioquia, a place in Colombia* San Roque, Cádiz, a place in Spain* San Roque, California, a residential neighborhood in Santa Barbara, California in the United States...
was approved.
Some 300 inhabitants were located at Gibraltar Line, the place being named therefore, in Spanish, La Línea. The new municipality included the current Plaza de la Iglesia, Plaza de la Constitución, calle Real (Royal Street), Jardines Street and España Avenue. It had a cemetery, the command, a customs duty, guards and soldiers barracks being located beyond the neighborhood and Espigón far east on the beach.
Properly speaking, The Atunara or Tunara, later a slum area, should not be considered as a contemporary part of the line because its origins date back to some 640 years before the city itself.
On July 20, 1870 La Línea got its first mayor, Lutgardo López Muñoz, chosen by a committee of residents appointed by the provincial council. At the first meeting of the new city hall, it was unanimously decided the name should be La Línea de la Concepción, as the Immaculate Conception was deeply rooted in Spanish army tradition of the time. The name is recorded from 1883.
King Alfonso XIII
Alfonso XIII of Spain
Alfonso XIII was King of Spain from 1886 until 1931. His mother, Maria Christina of Austria, was appointed regent during his minority...
gave the title of "town" to La Línea de la Concepción in 1913.
Confrontations with modern Gibraltar
- Spanish dictator Francisco FrancoFrancisco FrancoFrancisco Franco y Bahamonde was a Spanish general, dictator and head of state of Spain from October 1936 , and de facto regent of the nominally restored Kingdom of Spain from 1947 until his death in November, 1975...
ordered the closure of the border gate on June 8, 1969, in response to the new Gibraltar Constitution. Thousands of people from La Linea lost their jobs in Gibraltar with a heavy social and economic toll in the city.
- Protests were undertaken against the presence of the nuclear submarineNuclear submarineA nuclear submarine is a submarine powered by a nuclear reactor . The performance advantages of nuclear submarines over "conventional" submarines are considerable: nuclear propulsion, being completely independent of air, frees the submarine from the need to surface frequently, as is necessary for...
HMS TirelessHMS Tireless (S88)HMS Tireless is a nuclear submarine of the Royal Navy and is the third vessel of her class. She is the second submarine of the Royal Navy to bear this name...
in Gibraltar for repairs in 2001.
- In 2010, the Popular Party Mayor of La Linea, Alejandro Sanchez, is attempting to impose a so-called "congestion charge" on people entering or leaving Gibraltar, despite having been told by the Spanish Government that such a charge would be a breach of national and international EU law.
Strongholds of San Carlos, Santa Bárbara and San Felipe
18th century military buildings. Built during the siege of Gibraltar as part of the so called Contravalación Line of Gibraltar, a group of fortifications whose goal was to besiege Gibraltar checking on any UK further expansionist ideas.During the War of Independence, Peninsular War
Peninsular War
The Peninsular War was a war between France and the allied powers of Spain, the United Kingdom, and Portugal for control of the Iberian Peninsula during the Napoleonic Wars. The war began when French and Spanish armies crossed Spain and invaded Portugal in 1807. Then, in 1808, France turned on its...
, in which Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
and Great Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
allied against their common enemy, Napoleonic France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, these fortifications were blown up by the British to avoid falling into the hands of France. Currently, the Fort of Santa Bárbara is in a recovery phase, while the Fort San Felipe remnants have appeared recently. Fort San Carlos does not seem to have left preserved evidence.
The Military
Currently it hosts the Museum of the Isthmus but was once the military command associated to the Halls Head Officers garrison. It is the oldest building in town that exists, whose Officers' pavilions date from 1863 to 1865.The Municipal Guards Building
In 1944 it was demolished in the old "Carabineros Barracks" at the Explanada (now, the Constitution Plaza). There was a single floor building located in the left corner of it. This building was for many years, the Municipal Guards Building and next to it, the first Police Station of this city lasting till about 1936. The Santa Mariana Guard was responsible for checking the San Benito Guard, by the sidewalk near the fountain of Santa Barbara on the beach of Levante.Torrenueva
This tower is part of the 44 towers of the same characteristics that outlined the coast from the river GuadiaroGuadiaro
The Guadiaro is a river in the Spanish provinces of Cádiz and Málaga in the autonomous community of Andalusia, Spain. It flows southward from the Sierra Bermeja through the Sierra de Grazalema and discharges into the Mediterranean at Sotogrande. The river is notable for having some of the only...
to the border with Portugal
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
. All of them were built during the reign of Felipe III
Philip III of Spain
Philip III , also known as Philip the Pious, was the King of Spain and King of Portugal and the Algarves, where he ruled as Philip II , from 1598 until his death...
, along others located throughout the Mediterranean coast, from Malaga
Málaga
Málaga is a city and a municipality in the Autonomous Community of Andalusia, Spain. With a population of 568,507 in 2010, it is the second most populous city of Andalusia and the sixth largest in Spain. This is the southernmost large city in Europe...
to Catalonia
Catalonia
Catalonia is an autonomous community in northeastern Spain, with the official status of a "nationality" of Spain. Catalonia comprises four provinces: Barcelona, Girona, Lleida, and Tarragona. Its capital and largest city is Barcelona. Catalonia covers an area of 32,114 km² and has an...
.
The purpose of these towers was to warn the coastal population on the presence of the Berber
Berber people
Berbers are the indigenous peoples of North Africa west of the Nile Valley. They are continuously distributed from the Atlantic to the Siwa oasis, in Egypt, and from the Mediterranean to the Niger River. Historically they spoke the Berber language or varieties of it, which together form a branch...
pirate ships. In these watchtowers, smoke signals and bonfires warned one another of the presence of the pirate ships. At the top of the building, there was always a bundle of dry wood to be burned immediately in case of danger, transmitting the alarm signal on the towers nearby.
Bullring
Considered one of the oldest buildings in the city, shared with the former Military Command, now Museo del Istmo http://perso.wanadoo.es/hedanet/museodelistmo/, and the parish of the Immaculate Conception is a clear example of what was the architecture of Andalusia in the last third of the 19th century.Over 120 years have passed since Luis Ramírez Galuzo which was undoubtedly one of the neighbors of the city with more economic means of the century, and the mayor on several occasions, submitted to the council for permission to build on own property, a bullring, to celebrate the Spanish festival, other festivals such as acrobatic, and other celebrations in the year 1880, the project being led by the provincial architect Adolfo del Castillo, author among other works, of the Abastos market, today Concepción market and the former Municipal Slaughterhouse now disappeared.
Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
Temple built in the 19th century colonial style. It is worth to watch its 17th-century reredos and the image of St. Mary made by Ortega Bru. It became a sanctuary at the end of 2005. The Church of the Immaculate Conception is made up of three naves. The exterior of the building responds to the interior layout, with a remarkable simplicity and beauty.Inside the parish of the Immaculate Conception there are images of Jesús del Gran Poder, and others belonging to 4 religious guilds.
The Three Graces
Monument at the Plaza de la Iglesia. Work by Nacho Falgueras that represents the table of the local painter José Cruz Herrera. The recently opened monument is a tribute to the "linense" women.Monument to the Spanish workers in Gibraltar
Work also of Nacho Falgueras. It is a tribute to the thousands of "linenses" and "campogibraltareños" who spent their life working in Gibraltar. In spite of difficult times in Spain they crossed the border every day looking for a job with which to support their families. It is a tribute of the town of La Línea to all those who worked—and work nowadays— in Gibraltar.Monument to Camarón de la Isla
Monument located on the west access of the city, between the Paseo Marítimo de Poniente and the Casa de la Juventud. It is a historical monument dedicated to the figure of the famous flamencoFlamenco
Flamenco is a genre of music and dance which has its foundation in Andalusian music and dance and in whose evolution Andalusian Gypsies played an important part....
singer José Monge Cruz, Camarón de la Isla
Camarón de la Isla
Camarón de la Isla , was the stage name of a spanish flamenco singer José Monje Cruz who is sometimes also credited as Camarón de la Isla....
, who lived much of his life in this city. The sculpture is also the work of Nacho Falgueras.
Conservatorio Profesional de Música "Muñoz Molleda"
It takes its name from the "linense" José Muñoz Molleda, who gave music lessons to many young people, aged between 9 and 35 years, both "Linenses" and from other nearby cities, as this Music Conservatory was the only one in the Campo de Gibraltar area awarding a "Grado Medio"—intermediate degree.A stepping stone for learning music in the city for many years, together with the "Linense" Municipal Foundation of Culture and the Félix Enríquez Musical Society, particularly its most recent director Ignacio Ábalos Nuevo.
Currently under reform, there is still teaching going on. On the underground parking just below the extension of the Conservatory, archaeological remains of the 18th century Contravalación line were found and are now displayed nearby.
Plans for introducing soon the area of professional Opera Singing were put forward in December 2006 by famous International Opera soprano Singer Montserrat Caballé
Montserrat Caballé
Montserrat Caballé is a Spanish operatic soprano. Although she sang a wide variety of roles, she is best known as an exponent of the bel canto repertoire, notably the works of Rossini, Bellini, Donizetti and Verdi....
.
Museums
- José Cruz Herrera Museum.
- Museum of the Isthmus http://www.museodelistmo.tk/. Located at the former Military Command of the city.
- Municipal Historical Museum.
It stores files documenting the city since 1887.
- Museo Taurino—Bullfighting Museum.
It stores a large collection of bullfighting posters, costumes, herds, stamps, photographs of bullfighters, and so on.
Composed of four rooms and a chapel, Manolete hall, El Gordito hall, Antonio Duarte "Pota" lounge, El Marinero hall and the Frascuelo hall.
With thousands of photographs, bullfight posters, marking irons, torero costumes, trophies, capes, flags, stocks, etc..
With over 50 years of history, it can be considered one of the most important ones in the country. Founder: José Cabrera Duarte, a great fan of bullfighting, and a keen collector of all kinds.
Beaches
La Línea de la Concepción receives nearly 3,000 hours of sunshine a year, but air dampness is frequently around 74% only and the influence of a cold sea water current at some 3 kilometers of the coast. Therefore, it has a temperate climate, mild in winter and hot in summer.Thanks to this mild climate and its two distinct coastlines, the west and east. La Línea has 14 km of beaches, named La Alcaidesa, Santa Barbara, El Burgo Sobrevela, Portichuelos, Torrenueva of tuna and west, some of which are awarded each year a blue flag by the Coastal European Authorities. For instance, in 2007, the beaches of La Alcaidesa and Sobrevela obtained this recognition.
Hotels in the city
- 4 Stars: Iberostar City Field Gibraltar Hotel.
- 3 Stars: Rocamar Hotel, Mediterranean Hotel, Hotel AC La Linea, Aparthotel Golf & Beach Vista Real
Demographic trends since 1900.
Famous people
- Lutgardo López Muñoz, First Mayor-President of the city.
- José Cruz Herrera, painter.
- José Muñoz Molleda, musician.
- Antonio "El Chaqueta", Flamenco singer.
- Salustiano del Campo, sociologist.
- Manuel Amusco, "linense" poet and writer.
- The Rocking Boys, musical group.
- Ángel GaróÁngel GaróÁngel Garó is a Spanish actor and comedian.He became very popular in the 1990s thanks to his performances in Un, dos, tres and his show Personas humanas...
, actor and comedian. - Pansequito, Flamenco singer.
- Rafael Jaén, composer and musician (Master Jaén)
- Nacho Falgueras, sculptor and professor of secondary teaching.
- Bely Moya, poet.
- Miguel Cuevas Gil, entrepreneur.
- Manuel Alés, art sponsor.
- José Luis Villar Cerón
- Guillermo Araújo O'Reilly, painter.
- David MoralesDavid MoralesDavid Morales is an internationally acclaimed Grammy-winning house music DJ and producer. In addition to his production and DJ work, Morales is one of the most prolific remixers of all time, transforming many pop music songs into club-friendly dance tracks...
, Flamenco dancer. - Juan Merino RuizJuan Merino RuizJuan Merino Ruiz is a retired Spanish footballer who played mainly as a central defender.During his 17-year professional career, he played solely in Andalusia, with Betis and Recreativo, appearing in more than 200 matches in both the first and second divisions of Spanish football...
, football player. - Rafael Trujillo, sports sailor. Olympic silver medal in the Finn class at the Olympics Athens 2004 and the World Champion 2007 in Cascais.
- Agustín Pol, singer, composer, lyricist and chirigotas author.
- Francisco Gil Cuevas, entrepreneur.
- Antonio de Lara, lyricist, poet and "linense" writer. He is known, among other works, as the lyricist of the anthem of the Real Balompédica LinenseReal Balompédica LinenseReal Balompédica Linense is a Spanish football team based in La Línea de la Concepción, in the autonomous community of Andalusia. Founded in 1912, it plays in Segunda División B – Group 4, holding home matches at Estadio Municipal de La Línea de la Concepción, with a capacity of 20,000...
football club "White, Black, Black and White." - Guillermo Ruiz Marín, businessman and former councilman of the City Hall celebration.
- Manuel Sáenz Gavira, entrepreneur.
- Domingo Rico Guerrero, entrepreneur.
- Miguel Domínguez Rodríguez, President of Festina-Lotus Spain branch.
- Radio Macandé, Flamenco group.
- Víctor Quintanilla, painter, sculptor.
- Marisol Dorado Villanueva, poet, writer (with a book) and an exceptional teacher.
- Borja FernándezBorja FernándezFrancisco de Borja Fernández Fernández, simply Borja , is a Spanish footballer who plays for Deportivo de La Coruña as a defensive midfielder.-Football career:...
, football coach. - Álex QuilloÁlex QuilloAlejandro Rodríguez Rivas, aka Álex Quillo , is a Spanish footballer who plays for Recreativo de Huelva in the second division, as a midfielder.-Football career:...
, Atletico de Madrid footballer.
Facilities
- Congress and Exhibition Hall: opened in 2005 with a floor area of over 5300 m²Square metreThe square metre or square meter is the SI derived unit of area, with symbol m2 . It is defined as the area of a square whose sides measure exactly one metre...
, the palace is built around two main areas, the main auditorium and the conferences auditorium. It also has a scene of 200 m²Square metreThe square metre or square meter is the SI derived unit of area, with symbol m2 . It is defined as the area of a square whose sides measure exactly one metre...
surface and 10 m in height, which allows not only the holding of congresses, but also events such as theater, concerts and even opera. The conference auditorium seats 354, and although it is totally unrelated to the first so they can develop different activities simultaneously, the facilities are interconnected to support each other if necessary. In this palace are very frequent theater companies and concerts given by such people as Montserrat Caballé, Raphael, or other well known artists. The Palace also has a four star hotel from the Iberostar chain.
- Menéndez Pelayo International University headquarters is located in one of the most emblematic buildings of the town, given its rationalist architecture: Villa D'Amato, family home of a prestigious Maltese trader since 1939, formerly a popular theater where people came to enjoy the most famous moment. The writer Mario Vargas Llosa gave a keynote address opened the university.
- Real Club Náutico de La Línea : the Real Club Náutico de La Línea is located in Av/ del Mar, principally the sport of sailing, with this support have been distinguished sailors as Rafael Trujillo Villar. Diving is also practiced, with beginner and advanced courses in these two sports.
- College of Teachers
- Theater the Evening
- Has a large commercial: CC Gran Sur
- Bus Station
- Polideportivo municipal swimming pool
- Estadio de Fútbol Real Balompédica Linense
- Casa de la Juventud
Entertainment and Nightlife
- The Path Bunkers.
- Reina Sofia Park: A place where hundreds of young people congregate every Friday and Saturday is winter or summer, in the mythical stands, which allows botellón in the city.
- Pubs are located in Calle Lopez de Ayala y Herrera Cruz in the Plaza and close at 4:30. In summer, in the Levante beach tents are for the enjoyment of citizens (La pija, La Suite, La Bambudha and The Circus) is now given today's Coastal Act are due to move slightly more inward and in winter the city has two discos for young people "Portobello" and "Metro" and an adult audience "Las Palmeras", which corresponds to closing hours of the morning 7-8.
Local Cultural Festivals and Events
- Feria de Julio "The Salvaora" Fiesta declared of National Tourist Interest in Andalusia, is celebrated in mid-July.
- Rocieros Sunday, the first Sunday of Fair.
- Easter.
- Medieval Fair in July and November
- Certamen Andaluz de Música "Muñoz Molleda.
- Feast of the Immaculate Conception (December 8, patron saint of the city)
- Noche de San Juan.
- Carnaval de la Concha Fina, held in February / March each year.
- Top Fair in early May, in the Complex Ballesteros.
- National piano.
Access to the city
By Road:- Autovía A383 belonging to the Mediterranean motorway (A7)
- CA34
By air:
- Gibraltar AirportGibraltar AirportGibraltar Airport or North Front Airport is the civilian airport that serves the British overseas territory of Gibraltar. It is owned by the Ministry of Defence for use by the Royal Air Force as RAF Gibraltar. Civilian operators use the airport; currently the only scheduled flights operate to the...
By Train:
- San Roque stationSan Roque stationStation San Roque is a neighborhood belonging to the municipality of San Roque in Cadiz province. Its population is 2582 inhabitants and is situated between the river and mountain Guadarranque stone overweight...
Upcoming Projects
- Construction of an access building adjacent to the border to link with the new terminal of the Gibraltar Airport
This will be on the site previously used by the La Linea fair.
- A new marina in the area west of La Línea de la Concepción
The facility will have 777 berths and will have an extension of a plot of 59,898 m²
Square metre
The square metre or square meter is the SI derived unit of area, with symbol m2 . It is defined as the area of a square whose sides measure exactly one metre...
and a sheet of water of 239,947 m²
Square metre
The square metre or square meter is the SI derived unit of area, with symbol m2 . It is defined as the area of a square whose sides measure exactly one metre...
for the construction and operation of facilities nautical-use sports and recreational commercial.La total duration of the works is estimated at 3 years and the project is justified by the high demand for moorings for yachts, especially in the area of the Rock of Gibraltar.
An ambitious project called the Marina Line will give life to the area, ordering a ground urbanistically 3 hectares claimed from the sea and develop an attractive and different that will fill the gap in recreational activities and services and trade.
- New martítimo walk from Levante Beach
Currently under construction. Possible redevelopment of the Castle of Santa Barbara.
- New Hospital for the Campo de Gibraltar
- New Musical Conservatory Grade Medium
Pending the Board of Andalusia permission for its opening. Because the ruling party on the line is of a different political signal to the ruling on the Board of Andalusia, but the building is fully constructed and empowered from time to teaching, the Board of Andalusia takes three years to block its opening, damaging the music community linens
- Boulevard Avenue April 20
The six million visitors a year who come to Gibraltar to visit 62 stores that generate wealth for the city. Currently at an advanced stage of construction, together with the refurbishment of the tourist office.
- Plaza remodeling Cruz Herrera
Completed in 2008.
Mentions the City
- 2002 Award of Silver Broom
- Golden Broom Award 2004 Given to cities as clean or as Santiago de Compostela Vigo