The Great Siege Tunnels
It was during the war of American Independence, when France and Spain made an all out attempt to recapture the Rock from the British in Gibraltar's 14th Siege, recorded as the Great Siege, which lasted from July 1779 to February 1783.
The Governor, General Elliot (later called Baron Heathfield of Gibraltar) is said to have offered a reward to anyone who could tell him how to get guns onto a projection from the precipitous northern face of the Rock known as the 'Notch'.
Sergeant Major Ince, a member of the Company of Soldier Artificers, forerunners of the Royal Engineers, suggested that this could be done by tunnelling through the Rock. Permission was granted, and Ince started work under the direction of Lieutenant J Eveliegh, a Royal Engineer, Aide de Camp to the Governor, on May 25th, 1782.
The tunnellers relied on the strength of their arms, on their skills with a sledgehammer and a crowbar, and were also aided with gunpowder for blasting. In five weeks 18 men had driven a tunnel 8 square feet (2.4sq m) by 82 feet long (25m) into the Rock. It is interesting to compare this with the record of a fully mechanised tunnelling company in Gibraltar during World War II, who in a week advanced 180 feet (55m).
Originally there was no intention of mounting guns in this gallery, but as the work progressed the fumes from repeated blasting almost suffocated the miners, so it was decided to open a vent to let air into the tunnel. Almost at once it was realised what an excellent embrasure this would make for a gun, so one was mounted without waiting to reach the 'Notch'.
Other embrasures were cut and guns mounted, and by the time the Siege ended in February 1783, the tunnel was 370 feet (113m) long and had four guns mounted in it. This first gallery was called 'Windsor Gallery'. Sergeant Major Ince did not stop there - he went on to tunnel two other galleries called "King's And Queen's Lines" lower down the north face of the Rock.
Work did not stop with the end of the Siege, but instead of continuing straight towards the 'Notch', a tunnel was driven downwards and a large chamber opened under the 'Notch' called St George's Hall, where a battery of seven guns where installed. The Cornwallis Chamber was also excavated at this time.
In gratitude to Sergeant Major Ince, he was given a Commission and granted a plot of land on the Upper Rock still known as Ince's Farm. In addition, the Duke of Kent (Gibraltar's Royal Governor and father of Queen Victoria) presented him with a valuable horse.
The tunnels have been lit and different scenes set.
Here a guard calls out 'Halt Who Goes There' as you approach the door.
Here the tunnel is quite high. You can see the roughly cut surfaces on the wall. An amazing piece of engineering.
At the end of the Great Siege in 1783, the defeated Commander of the French and Spanish troops, the Duc de Crillon, on being shown the fortifications that had led to the defeat of his troops commented, "These works are worthy of the Romans". This comment highlights the ingenuity of those men who, against all odds endured the onslaught of the advancing forces and were still able to devise a unique system of defence which afforded them victory.
The Pillars of Hercules
The Pillars of Hercules was the phrase that was applied in Antiquity to the promontories that flank the entrance to the Strait of Gibraltar.
The northern Pillar is the Rock of Gibraltar.
The southern pillar is not so obvious and the identity of the southern pillar has been disputed through history, with the two most likely candidates being Monte Hacho in Ceuta and Jebel Musa in Morocco.
The modern world has placed this this monument on a southern viewing point in Gibraltar.
Below is Europa Point. There is a lighthouse, shop and mosque. It is also the military part of the island with barracks and storage facilities. There are miles of tunnels in the 'Rock' for military use, used to store .....???
The next photo is of this area, with strange golf ball structures for eavesdropping and counter intelligence? (special secret agent type stuff).
The sea is the Straights of Gibraltar. The land on the other side is Africa. Around 14 miles away.
The next shot is The Moroccan coastline on 10x zoom.
The second is framed through some trees.
Well worth a visit especially on a clear day.
The first port of call on 'The Official Rock Tour'
St Michael's Cave
In the Upper Nature Reserve at the southern end of Gibraltar there is an amazing series of limestone caverns.
Known as St Michael's Cave. The main show cave, the Cathedral cave, consists of a series of chambers with connecting passages.
Of course it is damp and footing would be dangerous, so a series of walkways, handrails and steps have been built to make it safe for the large number of visitors. Cleverly placed lights illuminate the cavern walls, highlighting stalactites and stalagmites, some huge and meeting to form columns.
Laser light shows, concerts and events are often held in the Cathedral cave.
There are a number of lower caves not accessible by the public. Some were discovered in 1942 when a new entrance was being blasted. These include a series of chambers and underground lake.
The caves in Gibraltar are thought to be one of the last refuges of Neanderthal man. Evidence of tools dated to 31,000 years ago have been found in Gorham's and Vanguard Cave.
There is also evidence of more recent occupation by modern humans during the Upper Palaeolithic, Neolithic and also from the 8th to the 3rd Centuries BC by Phoenicians and Carthaginians.
The caves are beautiful and well worth visiting.
Cave myths and legend.
St Michael's cave is so called because it resembles similar grotto in Gargano De La Pulla, Italy, now used as the Sanctuary of Monte Sant'Angelo where St. Michael is said to have appeared.
The cave was said to be bottomless ...
Gibraltar was linked to Africa by a subterranean passage over 15 miles (24 Km) long under the Strait of Gibraltar.
Cave facts
The cave consists of an Upper Hall with 5 connecting passages and rocks between 40ft (12.2m) and 150ft (45.7m) to a smaller hall.
Beyond this, a series of narrow halls leads to a further succession of chambers, reaching depths of some 250ft (62.5m) below the entrance.
During World War II the cave was prepared as an emergency hospital, but was never used as such.
Cable Car Trip to the Top of The Rock of Gibraltar
The Cable Car takes you from the Alameda area of Gibraltar to the top of the rock.
The sky is that blue ... and it really is a fantastic place!
There is 673m between the top and bottom terminals. You rise vertically by 352m, 1.91:1.
There are three towers and two cabins.
Each cabin holds 30 passengers and one operator.
There are two stations. The car stops at Middle station, where you can get off and visit the Ape's Den'.
The Barbary Macaques are well worth spending time with. The advantage of taking the cable car over a Rock Tour minibus is that you can spend as much time as you like with Gibraltar's famous Barbary Apes. (last car down 17:45h)
Please don't feed the apes. Any carrier bags you have will be assumed (by the macaques) to contain food.
The apes are supplied with a balanced diet. This young macaque is eating fresh fruit provided for him daily.
Feeding the Barbary Macaques makes them see tourists/humans as possible providors food and alters their behavior. Turning them into unruly scavengors.
There is a maximum fine of £500 for feeding them.
You can then carry on up to the Top station which affords amazing views in all directions.
Looking down to the Alameda car park and the cable car bottom terminal station.
The newly developed marina area.
Looking across Gibraltar town to the Bay of Gibraltar. The western end of Gibraltar airport runway and part of La Linea.
Down on the eastern side of Gibraltar is the beach area of Catalan Bay.
The top of the Rock of Gibraltar and north to La Linea to inland Spain.
The view west across the Bay of Gibraltar to Algeciras.
The British Union Jack flies with the flag of Gibraltar.
Looking South towards a distant Ceuta, a Spanish enclave in Morocco.
The view south west over the dockland area of Gibraltar. The Rif mountains of Morocco are on the horizon.
As well as the fantastic views there is also a self-service restaurant, bar and souvenir shop.
A multilingual tape is available which gives you background information on geographical and historic points of interest.
An unexpected bonus was this Yellow-Legged Gull nesting on top of the wall next to the path.
An interesting historical feature is this mortar carved into the rock. Filled with gunpowder and hundreds of 1lb rocks, it was hoped they would rain down on the enemy below. Unfortunately most fell inside the walls of the fortress below.
If you haven't much time for sightseeing.
Or if you're not interested in the limestone caves and siege tunnels.
If you'd like to spend more than 15-20 minutes with the Barbary Macaques.
Then the cable car is for you.
If you do want to visit these places. Be warned, there is quite a walk from the cable car across the top of the rock. An 'Official Rock Taxi Tour' might be your best option.
If your concerned about heights, don't be. It's very smooth and each cabin has communication to the terminal below. So unless you suffer from extreme vertgo please don't be put off, it's a great trip.
The price was £8 or 14€ for a return trip. (Better to pay in £'s, as with any transaction in Gibraltar)
How to get there.
By Bus. Ideally catch the No3 or 4. Alternatively the No2 and get off near the Convent.
It's then just a fairly short walk to the Cable Car. The drivers are very helpfull and will tell you when to get off if you are unsure.
Walking. We'll assume you're starting from the Town centre area.
Walk up Main Street. Carry on passed the Convent (Govenor's Residence). Keep going until you see the roundabout and arch (below). Go through the archway to the left of the one shown. (Southport Gates).
You'll then walk passed the Trafalgar Cemetary. Head left and up across a couple of road junctions (20m) using the pedestrian crossings and you'll be in the Alameda car park. The Cable Car and the main gates of the Alameda Botanical Gardens should be right in front of you.
Enjoy your visit.
Please don't forget to upload your photo's into our gallery or send them to us.
Let us know if you found our guide(s) useful and how we can improve them.
info@the-rock-of-gibraltar.com
Gibraltar Bus Routes - overview
The Gibraltar Government runs four bus routes. (Blue Buses)
No2, No3, No4 & No9.
Calypso Transport (Red Buses) operate the No10 route.
Here is a plan of the routes.
With Gibraltar being such a small country and the roads being gridlocked at various times of the day as traffic backs up from the frontier. Timetables are pretty much a waste of time. Most routes try to operate a service every ten/fifteen minutes. So you'll never have to wait too long.
Bus drivers as a rule are very helpful.
Cheap all-day tickets are worth buying if you plan on exploring Gibraltar by bus.
Although the No 10 offers this ticket too, it does only operate on one route.
You can pay fares in Euros or British pounds.
The fixed advertised exchange rate isn't too bad, but as with buying everything in Gibraltar, British pounds should always be your first choice. Especially for larger purchases and most definitely in bars and restaurants, where in some, exchange rates are scandalous.
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