Catalan Bay facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Catalan Bay |
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| Location | |
| Country | Gibraltar |
| Location | Gibraltar |
| Coordinates | ACoordinates: Unknown argument format |
| Details | |
| Owned by | Government of Gibraltar |
| Type of harbor | Natural |
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Catalan Bay (Spanish: La Caleta) is a beautiful bay and a small fishing village in Gibraltar. It is located on the eastern side of The Rock, away from the main city area called Westside. It's a popular spot for locals and visitors alike.
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What's in a Name?
The name of Catalan Bay has an interesting history. There are a couple of ideas about how it got its name.
The Catalan Soldiers
One idea is that the bay is named after a group of about 350 Catalan soldiers. These soldiers helped the British and Dutch forces capture Gibraltar in 1704. This happened during a big conflict called the War of the Spanish Succession. After the capture, some of these Catalan soldiers are believed to have settled in this bay.
They arrived in Gibraltar with their leader, Prince Georg von Hessen Darmstadt. They likely came on several ships. These Catalans formed two groups: an artillery company and an infantry company. They helped protect Gibraltar and fought in the mountain areas. After the fighting, some of these soldiers stayed in Gibraltar. They even helped set up the first military checkpoint.
The "Small Bay" Name
The name La Caleta means 'small bay or cove' in Spanish. This name was used for a very long time before "Catalan Bay" became common. In fact, fishing villages like La Caleta were mentioned in old documents from 1634.
The name "Catalan Bay" probably started being used in the mid-1700s. Before that, it might have been called "Catalan Battery" or "Catalan Beach." Some people also think "Catalan Bay" might just be an English way of saying "La Caleta."
A Look Back in Time
For a long time, Catalan Bay was home to Genoese fishermen. These fishermen were part of a larger group of people who settled along the eastern coast of The Rock. In the 1700s, the Genoese language was so common in Gibraltar that government announcements were also made in it. The Genoese language was spoken in La Caleta until the early 1900s.
Some old maps and records show that both Catalan and Genoese people lived in Catalan Bay. While Genoese families were more numerous, there's proof that some Catalans were among the first residents too.
In the 1800s, only fishermen were allowed to live in Catalan Bay. They needed a special permit from the Governor. The families who live in the village today are mostly descendants of these Genoese fishermen. They are often called caleteños.
Catalan Bay Today
The beach at Catalan Bay is the second biggest sandy beach in Gibraltar. It is very popular with both people from Gibraltar and tourists. It can get quite busy during the summer months.
Sometimes, red flags are put up to warn swimmers about jellyfish. This happens when many jellyfish, like the Mauve Stinger, come close to the shore.
Catalan Bay has the Caleta Palace Hotel, which is a well-known place to stay. There are also several restaurants that serve fresh seafood. The Catholic Church of Our Lady of Sorrows is also in the village. Every September, a statue of Our Lady of Sorrows is carried to the beach. The Bishop of Gibraltar then blesses the sea. This is the village's main religious festival.
To the north of Catalan Bay is Eastern Beach. This is Gibraltar's largest and most popular sandy beach. South of Catalan Bay is Sandy Bay.
See also
In Spanish: Los Catalanes para niños
