A novel by Sam Benady has been translated into Spanish. “The Keys of the City” which was written in the 1990s, tells the tale of the time when Gibraltar, which had recently been recaptured from the Moors, was sold by the Duke of Medina Sidonia to a group of conversos (families who were of Jewish origin, but converted -  sometimes forcibly - to Christianity) who were fleeing persecution.

The story ranges from Cordoba to Jerusalem, but most of the action takes place in Gibraltar. The novel covers two sieges and involves much double-dealing from the nefarious Duke.  It is curious to note, says Sam, that the Duke’s modern day descendant - the present Duke - recently came to Gibraltar to deliver an apology!

The book was published in English in 2005, and was well received locally.

A Spanish friend, Cayetano Ramirez Facio, who has strong Gibraltar connections, undertook to translate it into Spanish and it has now been published by Nagrela Editores of Madrid.

The translated edition will be released in November.