The Pillars of Hercules

The Pillars of Hercules would be the ancient name of the Strait of Gibraltar.

Gibraltar the columns of Hercules

Gibraltar the Pillars of Hercules

They represent the rock of Gibraltar on the European side and the Djebel Musa mountain on the African side.

According to Roman sources, while on his way to the Garden of the Hesperides, Hercules had to cross the mountain that was once the Atlas. Instead of scaling the great mountain, Hercules allegedly used his superhuman strength to force his way through. This is how he linked the Mediterranean Sea to the Atlantic Ocean and formed the Strait of Gibraltar.

One part of the split mountain is Gibraltar and the other is either Monte Hacho or Jebel Musa. These two mountains taken together have since been known as the “Pillars of Hercules”, but other natural features have been associated with this name.