According to Greek mythology Hercules had to take on twelve tasks. One of these tasks was to bring the cattle of Geryon from the west to Eurytheus. On his journey Hercules had to cross the Atlas Mountains. Rather than climbing over these mountains, he used his great strength to smash through them and as a result, he brought the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean together. After he had achieved this task, the result was what is now known as The Pillars of Hercules. This became the Rock of Gibraltar on the northern side and Jebel Musa in Ceuta on the southern side.

St. Michael's Cave

Of over the 150 caves that have been discovered in the Rock of Gibraltar this is the most visited with over one million visitors per year. The cave is situated at over 300 metres above sea level. In 1942 during the second world war blasting was in process inside this cave in order to allow for more ventilation. The cave was to be used as an emergency hospital. During the blasting, a discovery was made of a deeper system of caves which is now known as Lower St. Michael’s Cave.