Španija

SPAIN

Cape Trafalgar is a headland in the Province of Cádiz in the southwest of Spain. The 1805 naval Battle of Trafalgar, in which the Royal Navy commanded by Admiral Horatio Nelson decisively defeated Napoleon's combined Spanish and French fleet, took place just off the cape.

Cape Trafalgar lies on the shore of the Atlantic Ocean, northwest of the Strait of Gibraltar. The International Hydrographic Organization defines the western limit of the strait and the Mediterranean Sea as a line that joins Cape Trafalgar to the north with Cape Spartel to the south.

The most prominent structure on the cape is a 34 m lighthouse, which totals 51 m above sea level, the Faro de Cabo Trafalgar, first illuminated on 15 July 1862.

The name 'Trafalgar' is of Arabic origin, deriving either from Taraf al-Ghar or Taraf al-Gharb. In both cases, taraf (طرف) means 'edge' or 'extremity' and refers to a promontory.

In May 2021, 2,000-year-old Roman baths emerged from the sand dunes of Cape Trafalgar, including entire walls, windows and doors. The structure, dating from approximately the 1st century BC, stands almost four meters high. It was found by archaeologists from the University of Cadiz near the beach. Very close to the lighthouse, about 500 meters from the baths, Roman nurseries and pools were discovered in previous years.

The Battle of Trafalgar was a naval engagement on 21 October 1805 between the British Royal Navy and the combined fleets of the French and Spanish Navies during the War of the Third Coalition (August–December 1805) of the Napoleonic Wars (1803–1815).

As part of Napoleon's plans to invade the UK, the French and Spanish fleets combined to take control of the English Channel. The allied fleet, under French admiral Pierre-Charles Villeneuve, sailed from Cádiz on 18 October 1805. They encountered the British fleet under Lord Nelson off Cape Trafalgar.

Nelson was outnumbered, with 27 British ships against 33 allied ships including the Spanish Santísima Trinidad. Nelson sailed directly at the allied flank, splitting their line. The tactic worked: the British isolated Villeneuve's flagship Bucentaure and gained temporary superiority. 20 allied ships were lost; the British lost none.

Nelson's HMS Victory led the attack and was heavily damaged. Nelson was fatally shot during the battle. Villeneuve was captured and attended Nelson's funeral while on parole in Britain. Spanish Admiral Gravina escaped but died months later from his wounds.

The victory confirmed Britain's naval supremacy and was achieved through Nelson's bold tactics.

Literature:

Harrison, Cy, ed. (26 April 2020). "Battle of Trafalgar, 21st October 1805". Three Decks.

Battle of Trafalgar: britannica.com

Gulf of Cádiz: britannica.com