Catalan Bay

Coordinates: 36°08′20″N 5°20′29″W / 36.13875°N 5.34128°W / 36.13875; -5.34128
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Catalan Bay
View of Catalan Bay looking South
Map
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Location
CountryGibraltar
LocationGibraltar
Coordinates36°08′20″N 5°20′29″W / 36.13875°N 5.34128°W / 36.13875; -5.34128
Details
Owned byGovernment of Gibraltar
Type of harbourNatural
Early view of Catalan Bay looking south from the top of the access road - late nineteenth century. The round shaped rock which juts out into the sea is commonly known as la mamela (Catalan: la mamella, the breast), the name given to it by the early Catalan settlers as it resembles a woman's breast when viewed from the shore.
Nineteenth-century painting of Catalan Bay looking south by Thomas Colman Dibdin

Catalan Bay (

Westside
.

Etymology

Although the origin of Catalan Bay's name is documented, a couple of theories co-exist. Documentary evidence suggests that the bay is named after a group of around 350

War of Spanish Succession on 4 August 1704. Evidence supports the theory that Catalans settled in Catalan Bay giving rise to the above etymological definition.[1]

The name La Caleta (meaning 'small bay or cove') considerably pre-dates that of Catalan Bay. The fishing villages of

siege of Gibraltar
(1727-1779). It already appeared on William Faden's map (dressed in 1769-1775 and published in 1782), or in John Cheevers's map (1785). Before that, it probably was named "Catalan Battery", "Catalan Beach" or "Playa de los Catalanes".

In 1704, during the capture of Gibraltar by an Anglo-Dutch combined operation, an expedition landed there of around 350 Catalans followers of

grenadiers
. Some of the surnames of the Catalans who participated in the conquest are: Andreu, Armenter, Auger, Basset, Bertran, Besart, Boix, Bonavida, Bosch, Burguy, Canovas, Caramany, Carreras, Casamitjana, Castells, Cateura, Clavell, Constans, Corrons, Cortès, Esplugas, Estanyol, Estaper, Esteve, Fabregas, Ferrer, Fonollós, Fontanet, Freixes, Frutó, Gil, Goy, Llofriu, Llopis, Martí, Massana, Matalonga, Mulet, Navarro, Nebot, Oliver, Ortas, Pausà, Pi, Pons, Pujol, Rabassa, Ribas, Roca, Rossell, Roset, Rovira, Ruaix, Salvat, Sanromà, Serrallonga, Siurana, Soler, Trebó, Trias, Trullàs, Vidal, Virolà, Viudes.

Subsequently, the conquest, some of these Catalan soldiers settled in Gibraltar, after the departure of the majority of troops used in the conquest, and helped establish the first military checkpoint of Gibraltar. The Catalan Alfons de la Capella, lawyer of the Royal Council of Catalonia, became a judge in Gibraltar. The Catalan Josep Corrons was appointed Alcaide of the Sea (responsible for the harbour) and later was appointed Sergeant Major of Gibraltar. The Catalan Andreu Martí (one of the first to take the stronghold of the port in the conquest of the Rock) was responsible for directing the work of the prisoners after the conquest. The Catalan Jeroni Fàbregas was responsible for the distribution of ammunition.

In the 1705 siege, the Catalan soldiers fought again in defence of Gibraltar, especially in an area then called "Catalan Guard" or "Catalan Post" in Wolf's Leap (Johann Argathelu map at first third of the eighteenth century, Gabriel Bodenehr map 1720, Johann Bowles brothers map 1727, etc.).

In 1709, Catalan Josep Valls, a Gibraltar resident, collaborating with Catalan traders Salvador Feliu de la Penya, Joan Verivol, Josep Grasses, and Josep Boigues, created a commercial company called "Companyia Nova de Gibraltar" (New Company of Gibraltar), in order to replace the monopoly of Cádiz in ocean trade, that would endure until 1723.[3][4] Another theory suggests that the latter could simply be an English mispronunciation of Caleta.[1]

History

Historically, Catalan Bay had been populated by

anchovie
, which were quite plentiful in this part of the world. Their main base was at the mouth of the river Palmones, which is more or less opposite Gibraltar. It was an ideal place to beach their boats and salt their catch in readiness for taking back home at the end of the season. Among the Catalans who participated in the conquest of 1704 there were some fishermen.

During the nineteenth century only fishermen were permitted to live in Catalan Bay. They were required to have a fishing permit granted to them by the Governor and only a limited number of permits were issued. The families who live in the village today are mainly descendants of these Genoese fishermen,[1] and are colloquially known as caleteños.

Present

The beach at Catalan Bay, is the second biggest sandy beach in Gibraltar. It is very popular with both Gibraltarians and tourists, and can often become overcrowded during the summer months.

One of the few hazards that can call for red flags to be flown is to warn bathers of jellyfish. Occasionally jellyfish such as the Mauve Stinger can arrive in significant numbers.[5] Catalan Bay is home to the

Bishop of Gibraltar blesses the sea in what has become the village's main religious festival.[6]

To the north lies

Dudley Ward Tunnel
for safety reasons, only reopening in late 2010.

Panoramic view of Catalan Bay in 2012 with the Caleta Hotel in the extreme left

See also

Further reading

  • Catalan Bay - E.G. Archer, E.P. Vallejo and Tito Benady

References

  1. ^ a b c d [G. Hills, 1974 Rock of Contention: A History of Gibraltar- Catalan Bay]
  2. ^ Jose Carlos de Luna (1949), Historia de Gibraltar
  3. ^ G. Hills, Rock of Contention: A History of Gibraltar. (1974)
  4. ^ J.M. Batista i Roca, Els catalans i Gibraltar. (El Llamp Editorial)
  5. ^ Jellyfish Invasion Archived 2016-03-03 at the Wayback Machine, accessed 7 November 2012
  6. ^ The Melting Pot Archived 2007-08-15 at the Wayback Machine

External links

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