By Zoë Ouwehand-Reid

The population of the municipality of Tarifa is between 16-17,000 and growing. Tarifa was first invaded by the Moors in 711 and it was named after Tarif Ben Malik who led the invasion. Because of its strategic position overlooking the Strait it was the scene of many battles and did not grow into a town until after the Moors’ final defeat.

Guzman El Bueno

In 1292 the famous battle took place in which Guzman El Bueno sacrificed his son. According to legend, and there are various accounts written centuries after the event so are not very reliable, his eldest son had been kidnapped by a treacherous Spanish lord, Don Juan, and was being held captive by the Moors.
When the 5,000-strong Moorish army arrived at the gates of the fortress headed by Don Juan and with Guzman´s son in tow, he threatened to kill him unless the Spanish surrendered. Guzman threw down his own dagger from the battlements and said if that was the price then he was prepared to pay with his son’s life.

The Moors duly killed his son but were beaten in the ensuing battle. There is a statue of Guzman at the port end of the Alameda.

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Los Privilegiados

Tarifa was more or less forgotten about after the re-conquest of Spain by the Catholics in 1492. Then at the beginning of the 16th Century, Tarifa hosted its first permanent residents who were prisoners sent here from other parts of Spain to serve out part of their sentences. They were known as “Los Privilegiados” and if they were still there a year later and had lived lawfully, they were pardoned, and this is how Tarifa started life as a real town and fishing port.

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San Mateo Church

The Church of San Mateo was originally built in the 16th century and is largely of late Gothic style with a neo-classic facade being terminated in the 17th century.

It´s style then was Mudéjar but it was reconstructed in the 18th and 19th centuries in more of a renaissance style.

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The castle and town walls

The castle of Guzman El Bueno was built in 960 AD by the Caliph Abderramán 111 on what are thought to be the ruins of a Roman military camp. The last siege of the town and this castle occurred in 1812 when Napoleon’s troops failed to overcome Tarifa’s tenacious resistance.
The reconstruction of the castle is scheduled to be completed towards the end of 2008 when it will again open for tourist visits and may house the Tourist Information Centre as well as opening for cultural events.

--- Tarifa Spain - An Overview ---

Santa Catalina

Santa Catalina, the castle-like building near Playa Chica, was built in 1929 as a weather centre. During the Spanish Civil War it was taken over by Franco for ammunition storage and the bunkers below were built. Then in the 50’s it reverted to being a weather station until about 10 years ago.
There is a political dispute over plans to develop the bunker area and work has been halted. In any event there are no plans to demolish the castle itself which is earmarked as a future tourist attraction.

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The Almadraba

The distance between Tarifa and Tangier is 14 kms. Geological studies are still being carried out on the feasibility of a tunnel connecting Morocco with Spain. Our present mayor thinks it would be an environmental catastrophe but the project was given a boost recently by a Government minister who suggested it could become a reality in 10 years. The mouth of the tunnel would be some 6 kms inland from Punta Paloma.

--- Tarifa Spain - An Overview ---

The Wind mills

There are 35 wind farms and 671 windmills in the municipality of Tarifa stretching from El Cuartón to Zahara.

There will probably be more but no firm info on that at the moment.

--- Tarifa Spain - An Overview ---

The local courthouse

The building at the end of the street past the left-hand side of the church used to be the local courthouse (Juzgado). It was built in the middle of the last century (about 1950) in the Moorish style. Today it is a day centre for pensioners and The Juzgado is now situated in the rounded building nearby known as Casa del Mar.

The old prison

Not a great deal seems to be known about the old prison (La Cárcel Real). However, I gather it was built in the 19th century and was a prison until about 1949. It was left abandoned until the 90´s when it was restored and converted into an art gallery.

The Battle of Trafalgar

The Battle of Trafalgar was fought off the coast at Cape Trafalgar in 1805 and was one of the most famous (and bloodiest) battles in European History. Nelson`s victory put paid to Napoleon´s ambition to invade Britain and it was a turning point in the Napoleonic wars.

The British fleet all but annihilated the French and Spanish fleets under Napoleon´s command, but the British victory had a bitter-sweet taste as Admiral Nelson was shot in the head by a French sniper. He died just before the end of the battle, though by then he was certain of victory. His body was preserved in a barrel of brandy aboard his ship “The Victory” and he was given a hero`s funeral at St Paul´s cathedral in London.

Two migration seasons

There are two migration seasons. In Spring (March-May) the birds are flying north from Africa where they have been wintering. Then in Autumn (September and October) they fly back south and of course Tarifa is on this important migratory route.

More on birdwatching Tarifa

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Isla Paloma

The island (Isla de Paloma) is currently under Guardia Civil control and serves as a reception centre for immigrants who have been caught crossing the Strait in small overcrowded boats. Many die in the process. The immigrants are given first aid, food and clothing before being transferred to Algeciras. The final fate of the island is still to be decided. There is talk of turning it into a nature reserve and providing diving facilities as the marine life around there is rich. Others want it to be turned into a tourist resort with a big hotel but there is strong opposition to this idea.

More on Tarifa inside

An Overview
A brief history
Things to do
Tarifa beaches
Weather Tarifa
Tarifa restaurants

More on Tarifa Inside Out and Round About

Outside
Round About
Further Afield
Morocco

About Zoë and her guesthouse

Zoë is the owner of Guesthouse Dar Cilla which is unique of its sort in Tarifa. It is located on the outskirts of the old town within the old 12th century walls. 'Dar' is an Arabic word for a town house in which a series of suites are grouped around a central courtyard. Each suite is fully independent, but there is a pleasant air of 'sociability' and you will meet Zoë and fellow guests on the roof terrace over a glass of wine.

More about Zoë
More about Guesthouse Dar Cilla