Catalan Bay

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Catalan Bay is a small bay and fishing village on the eastern side of Gibraltar, on the far side of the Rock from the main city.

The name of the bay (Catalan) comes from a group of 350 Catalan military men who took the place in 1704. These troops helped the Anglo-Dutch who won the Battle of Gibraltar during the War of Spanish Succession.

During the nineteenth century only fisherman 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 Genoese fishermen.

The beach at Catalan Bay, known locally as La Caleta is very popular with both Gibraltarians and tourists, and is often overcrowded during the summer months.

Catalan Bay also has a hotel, at least two restaurants, and a church. The statue of Our Lady of Sorrows is carried to the beach each September as part of a religious festival.

Beyond Catalan Bay to the south is Sandy Bay, but the coast road now ends there, due to the closure of the Dudley Ward Tunnel for safety reasons in 2002.