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Gibraltar Following Siege of 1704
This elegant 18th-century cartographic set features a plan of Gibraltar, a plan of Ceuta, and a coastal view of Gibraltar, offering a comprehensive depiction of these strategic locations at the Strait of Gibraltar. Created shortly after the British took control of Gibraltar in August 1704, this was and era when these sites played critical roles in Mediterranean and Atlantic geopolitics, the maps are remarkable for their detail, artistic execution, and historical significance.
Titled Plan de la Ville de Gibraltar Située au Detroit de ce Nom, this map illustrates the fortified city of Gibraltar and its surroundings. The accompanying text explains that Gibraltar derives its name from the Arabic Jabal Tariq ("Mountain of Tariq"), in honor of Tariq ibn Ziyad, the Berber general who led the Moors’ conquest of Spain in 711 CE. The city and its fortifications are carefully rendered, showing the layout of streets, military defenses, and key landmarks, such as the central castle and the newer fortified areas (Ville Neuve en grande Enceinte). The rugged terrain of the Rock of Gibraltar dominates the background, underscoring its strategic and defensive prominence.
The second map, titled Plan de la Ville de Ceuta, située au Detroit de Gibraltar du Coté d'Afrique au Royaume de Fez, depicts the Moroccan city of Ceuta. The text notes Ceuta’s location on the African side of the strait, its proximity to the nearby mountain with seven peaks (called the "Seven Brothers"), and its historical sieges. The city is described as being under Spanish control at the time, with its defensive structures, including the Albazaar and other bastions, prominently highlighted. The fortified layout reflects the city's importance as a stronghold controlling access between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic.
The coastal view, titled Veue de la Ville de Gibraltar, provides a perspective of the iconic Rock of Gibraltar rising dramatically above the water. Ships navigating the strait are illustrated in the foreground, emphasizing Gibraltar's role as a vital naval and commercial hub during the early modern period. The composition captures the rugged beauty of the rock and the fortifications crowning its heights.
These maps were produced at the height of European rivalry over control of Mediterranean trade routes. The juxtaposition of Gibraltar and Ceuta reflects their roles as critical choke points at the Strait of Gibraltar, connecting Europe and Africa. At the time of publication, Gibraltar had recently come under British control (1704), marking the beginning of its enduring significance as a British naval base. Ceuta, on the other hand, remained under Spanish administration, forming a counterpart to Gibraltar on the African side.
![[ Morocco Coast -- Tangiers to El Beddouza ] Eijgentlijke vertooninge der westcuste van Barbarien, tusschen de Strate van Gibraltar ende de C: de Cantin, zampt aller Reeden Havenen ende Rivieren aldaer gelegen, en hoemen die bequamelijck sal besijlen](https://storage.googleapis.com/raremaps/img/small/62218.jpg)
![(Tangiers, Tzaffin, Ceuta, Arzila, and Sala) Tingis Lusitanis Tangiara. . . [on sheet with] Tzaffin [and] Salaa [and] Arzilla
[and] Septa](https://storage.googleapis.com/raremaps/img/small/54983mp2.jpg)
