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History of La Línea de la Concepción |
The origin of the city is related to Spain’s military history and the construction of the contravallation line around Gibraltar’s main square known as “Línea de Contravalación de la Plaza de Gibraltar”. This was constructed under the orders of Philip V during Gibraltar’s occupation in the 18th Century with the aim of attacking the square and restricting access through the isthmus which united it to the rock. It extended from western to the eastern sea waters, through the San Felipe and Santa Bárbara Forts, as part of a project by Philip V’s Head of Military Engineers, the Marquis of Verboom, under the direction of the Count of Montemar between 1730 and 1735.
La Línea’s first civil inhabitants were composed of those serving the military forces such as orchard keepers, bartenders, ranch owners, stone masons, fishermen, etc.
In 1810, as a result of the War of Independence with England being allied with Spain in the battle against Napoleon, the Spanish lines facing the rock were demolished by Gibraltar’s military engineers, arguing that if the French invaded the area they could use the fortifications against Gibraltar. Since then the route from the isthmus has remained open. Following the war, a large quantity of civilians began to arrive attracted by the work offered in Gibraltar. These included people of all classes and nationalities, in addition to a large number of Spaniards originating from Galicia, Valencia, Catalonia, Santander and of course all over Andalusia.
Protected by the ruined frontier lines huts and small houses were constructed. The majority of these people worked on the English colony but resided in La Línea, forming the first civilian population nucleus in La Línea de Gibraltar, converting it in an area dependent on San Roque. In 1870, La Línea boasted 330 residences and motivated by its number of inhabitants and its economic development which allowed it legally form a municipality independent of San Roque, it requested segregation. As a result, on the 20th of July 1870 and following the agreement of the Honourable Council of Cádiz, the La Línea area was declared an independent municipality with La Línea de la Concepción as an independent village. Later on the 3rd of July 1913, His Majesty King Alfonso XIII, granted it town status.
La Línea’s surname–“de la Concepción”- is derived from Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, as the patron of the infantry body, in honour and remembrance of forces established in the city for so many years.
Image: Bunker