It was founded as
San Antonio de Gibraltar in February 1592 by
Gonzalo Piña Ludueña and took its name from his home town, the then
Spanish Gibraltar (now a
British overseas territory). It was, during the colonial period, the most important harbour of the city of
Mérida and a major center for the exportation of cocoa. Gibraltar was taken and ransacked in 1668 by the French pirate
François l'Olonnais and
one year later by
Sir Henry Morgan. In 1678,
Michel de Grammont captured and plundered the small town, penetrating as far inland as
Trujillo. The damage was so severe that it had nearly ceased to exist by 1680. == References ==