Historic Buildings and Fortifications

750m² , roughly the equivalent of 4 tennis courts.The walkway is 2.5m wide and projects a maximum of 6.7m from the main structural support point. 70m of rock anchors and 30,000kg of steel secure the Skywalk to the Rock.

Aqueduct

Between the Alameda Gardens and Rosia Road is the sole surviving vent of an aqueduct which was built by the Spanish on an older Moorish system.

Polish Memorial

The original propeller recovered from the sea has become a Polish War Memorial, situated at the Europa Point, General Sikorski lost his life in an air crash in 1943 as his plane took off from Gibraltar during WWII. The Roman Catholic Cathedral in Main Street also has a memorial to this Polish patriot. This memorial is situated by the left altar.

Evacuees Memorial

This statue was erected in honour of the Gibraltarians evacuated during WWII and sent to Morocco, Madeira, Jamaica, Northern Ireland and England. British troops occupied their homes locally. The Gibraltarians who had the misfortune of being sent to London suffered at the hand German bombings.A couple of thousand men who held jobs considered essential for the war effort were not allowed to leave Gibraltar. The very accurate memorial, the work of Jill Cowie Saunders, shows families re-united after the war.Those who lived this experience find this monument very moving.

Parson’s Lodge

Dominating Rosia Bay you find Parson ’ s Lodge Battery, dating from 1875, which formerly housed three 18-ton guns. The old Spanish walls were reinforced by the British, while beneath the battery are the former ammunition stores and living quarters. This fortification is now in the hands of the National Gibraltar Museum who are currently using it as a research centre, for their cave and undersea studies.

Mosque

This beautiful example of Muslim architecture has been standing at Europa Point since 1997. It was paid for by the late King Fahad Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia and caters for the Muslim population of Gibraltar, most of whom originate from Morocco.

The mosque is a beautiful addition to this unique site.When

lit up at night it stands out dramatically and is visible from miles away.

City Hall

City Hall is located on the western side of the Piazza at John Mackintosh Square. Officially opened on November 28, 1924, by Governor, General Sir Charles C. Monro it is home to government offices and that of the Mayor of Gibraltar. (The Mayor is selected from the members of the Gibraltar Parliament (formerly House of Assembly) by the members themselves.)

This site is believed to have had a hermitage on it and Our Lady of Mercy Hospital. The present building was constructed in 1815 by Aaron Cardozo, a prominent Gibraltarian, for use as his family home.

From 1833 to 1839 the building became the Club House Hotel, in which the writer William Thackeray was a guest. In 1875 Cardozo ’ s nephew sold the house to Pablo Larios, a wealthy Spanish businessman and long time resident in Gibraltar.

In 1876 the home was put at the disposal of H.R.H. the Duke of Connaught, son of Queen Victoria, who lived in the mansion during his tour of duty in Gibraltar. Until 1924, it was known as Connaught House.

In 1920 the property was sold to the Colonial Government and used as the parcel post house. In 1924 it was transferred to the newly created City Council who held their meetings here until 1969 when the Council was merged with the Gibraltar Government.

In 1995, on the initiative of the Gibraltar Heritage Trust, and with donations from the Marifold Trust, the Gibraltar government and many local businesses and individuals, the exterior was restored.

It is now the new National Art Gallery.

The Convent

From 1711 the Convent, located on Main Street, has been the official residence of the

Governor of Gibraltar. This is where the Changing of the Guard takes place occasionally by the Gibraltar Regiment.

Prior to the British taking possession of the Rock, Franciscan Friars resided in the Convent from 1531. The nave of their chapel forms the ballroom but the billiard room was not a part of the building when the order lived there. It was added in 1879. The Convent was further expanded upon in 1864 when the banquet room was built. On display here are the shield of arms, flags and mottoes of all of Gibraltar ’ s governors and distinguished persons connected with Gibraltar since 711.

The panels of the end doors are made from cedar washed ashore from Spanish wrecks engaged in the Grand Attack of 1782. Still clearly visible are the shot holes.

On the patio is a statue of General Eliott. It was cut from the bowsprit of the Spanish man-ofwar San Juan, that was taken at Trafalgar.

The beautiful garden is enhanced with some rare and exotic plants and includes some very old Dragon Trees. Royalty has contributed to the lushness of the garden by planting trees. King Edward VII, the German Emperor Wilhelm II, Queen Alexandra, Japanese Crown Prince Hirohito, and Queen Elizabeth II have all added trees to the garden.

Some believe that the Convent is haunted by the Grey Lady. She was a Franciscan Nun who was caught trying to elope with her sweetheart, who was a monk. Pursued, the couple tried to flee to Algeciras in a row boat but a storm blew up and he perished. She was caught and executed in the Convent.

The Garrison Library

The Garrison Library which holds the finest collections of English language books in the Mediterranean, was established in 1793 by Col. Drinkwater. The Colonel was posted to Gibraltar during the Great Siege and having been trapped on the Rock for four years without any books he was determined not to have to suffer another siege without reading material so he set about establishing a library for the officers of the Garrison. The library was constructed at Governor ’ s Parade on the site where the Spanish

Governor ’ s residence had previously stood. It was inaugurated in 1793, but this was not to be its permanent home. The new building was completed in 1804 with a new wing added in 1867.

The Garrison Library

The library boasts a comprehensive collection of works on Gibraltar. It is now a research library and is open to researchers Opening Hours Monday - Friday from 9.00am - 5.00pm. Free Tours are conducted on Fridays at 11.00am.

Parliament House

This building, located on the eastern side of the Piazza, was established in 1817 as the Exchange and Commercial Library under Governor Sir George Don. (Don is known as the father of modern Gibraltar because of the many projects which were undertaken during his administration, including the building of the law courts and Alameda Gardens.) Don ’ s bust overlooks Main Street from the top of the House of Assembly.The building was damaged by fire in 1919 and the roof was redone in a different style. It was to be six years before in was reopened by Governor, Sir Horace Lockwood Smith-Dorrien, on September 25, 1922. On November 23, 1950 the building became the Legislative Council and on August 26, 1969 became the House of Assembly.

On 2nd

January 2007, the Gibraltar Constitution Order 2006 came into effect. The Order restyles the House of Assembly as the Gibraltar Parliament.

John Mackintosh Hall

John Mackintosh, a wealthy philanthropist, born in Gibraltar in 1865, was a simple man of a retiring nature who went little into society. He was very approachable, however, and had many friends in all walks of life. He was .m = --read and fond of music as well as very publicspirited; he could always be counted on for practical help in any worthwhile cause. His genuine interest in the welfare of his native Gibraltar and the needs of the aged, sick and poor was reflected in his will when he provided homes for the aged poor, for an additional wing to the old Colonial Hospital and also for various charities. He was keen to foster the connection between Gibraltar and Great Britain and the educational provisions of his will were designed to promote and strengthen the ties between England and Gibraltar, particularly in the cultural and educational needs of the young people of Gibraltar. It was through the provisions of this will that the John Mackintosh Hall was built.

The John Mackintosh Hall opened its doors to the public in April 1964 and has been the centre of Gibraltar ’ s cultural activities ever since. The building was purpose built and the architects were keen to make use of the Mediterranean light that was reflected off the Rock, and used shade and movements of air to relieve the heat of the summer months – an environmental approach well ahead of its time. The architects used the Mediterranean architectural traditions in designing the interior of the building too, as a series of interconnecting courtyards in which the direct sunlight was controlled, and which became ‘ rooms without roofs ’ , with trees, fountains and shaded areas.

Since its opening, ideas about the use of the building have only been slightly modified and adapted to cater for changing times: certain rooms have been put to entirely new uses and an increasing emphasis has been given to adult and cultural activities. The library now occupies the entire east side of the building and the theatre, which was originally conceived as a multi-purpose school hall, has changed in character so that it is now better-suited to conferences and lectures, as well as musical and dramatic productions, than before.

The John Mackintosh Hall continues to be the centre of Gibraltar ’ s cultural activities where over two hundred societies and associations meet regularly.

Law Courts

The Law Courts are located on Main Street near the Convent.

From the 1830’ s when Gibraltar was granted its Charter of Justice sessions have been held at these premises. Many famous cases, such as that of the Mary Celeste ‘ ghost

ship ’ trial have been heard.

The Registry Office was formerly situated in an annex of this building where a number of famous people have been married. John Lennon and Yoko Ono were married here in 1969 (this event is commemorated on a Gibraltar phone card); Sean Connery in 1975 and Des O’Conner tied the knot here in 1987.

Over a three-year period between 2009 and 2012, the original Law Court building underwent a massive building programme of restoration and extension. The whole programme involved staff moving to temporary accommodation, the moving of historical court archives and the management of on-going court work in the middle of all this.

The Main Guard

The Main Guard home of the Gibraltar Heritage Trust since 2001 dates from the middle of the 18

th

century. Over the years and commencing as a guard house occupied by the Garrison, it has variously been used as a fire station, public baths and Government offices for the payment of utility bills and road licences.

It now also has the tourist information counter.

Law Courts

Gates,Walls & Fortifications

Casemates Gates the first gate was opened in 1727 and was followed by others in 1859 and 1884. Passing through them from the outside one goes into Casemates Square, at the north end of Main Street. Above the Square the batteries and walls lead up to the Tower of Homage (Moorish Castle). This area was under the protection of the old castle and was within the confines of the old 15

th

century Spanish town. After 13 sieges by the Spanish this area was in such ruin that it was pulled down and the Square was made in 1731.

Charles V Wall, which comes down from the ancient Moorish wall, past Trafalgar cemetery at the southern end of Main Street was built in 1552 by Calvi, the Italian Engineer. Calvi was sent to Gibraltar by the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V, (Charles I of Spain, a Habsburg, and grandson and heir to Queen Isabella) to fortify the defences after an attack by pirates in 1540. Attacks by pirates were frequent, but on this occasion Turkish pirates, under the command of Barbarossa, took over 70 captives with the intent of selling them into slavery. Charles son, Felipe II commissioned another Italian engineer El Fratino to extend the wall to the summit.

Devil’s Tongue was situated on the present Waterport Wharf road and was originally an old Spanish pier built during the reign of King Philip III. At the time it connected to the counterguard by a narrow bridge and a sally port which can still be seen today in the wall of Montagu Counterguard near the roundabout. A drawbridge by the

“Chatham Wicket” opened up onto the Mole and the cemented over opening in the sea wall is still visible. The name is believed to have come from the Great Siege (1779 - 1783) when the Spanish christened it so due to the tremendous fire power of the battery. This site was probably an improvement on the Moorish one.

Devil’s Tower played a significant role in the Rock’ s defences. A tower, similar to the Martello Towers along the Spanish coast, was situated at the end of Devil’ s Tower Road on the isthmus near the eastern end of the road.The Spaniards used this tower to warn of pirates and other attackers sailing towards Gibraltar. When they were spotted large bonfires were lit which could be seen by defenders further up the coast, alerting them to danger.

Grand Battery, the lowest part of the original Moorish Northern Defence, was known by

the Spanish as the Curtain of St. Bernard. The northern area provided defences for the Landport entrance, the Watergate and the Cooperage.

A narrow causeway connected Spain to the narrow land entrance into Gibraltar though Landport Gate. The sea would lap the causeway on one side (Glacis area) while on the other side there was water from the Inundation, dug on the orders of the Prince of HesseDamstadt.

Years later the inundation was enlarged and many deep pits were excavated in it. This was done so that sharp shooters above King ’ s Lines could fire at anyone attempting to cross the causeway.

Jumper’s Bastion was named after Captain Jumper who was the first to land his troops in 1704 when the combined BritishDutch force captured Gibraltar. Jumper ’ s, along Rosia Road is divided in two, the north bastion and the south bastion.

King’s Bastion was built in 1773 by General Sir Robert Boyd on the site of an old Moorish Gate and a Spanish Bastion (1575), and designed by Col. Sir William Green, Chief Engineer. The bastion, which provided accommodation for 800

King’s Bastion Leisure Centre

men was the keystone of the defences during the Great Siege. It was part of the Line Wall and the position from where the red hot shots were fired, and where General Eliott stood during the heaviest shelling by enemy during the grand attack of 1782.

During Victorian times the original bastion was modified and the cannon, fireproof curtains and other structures could still be seen. When it was no longer required for defence, it was turned into an electricity generating station. The station was designed by local architect Natalio Langdon and was opened in October 1961. It closed down during the 1990s and was eventually demolished in 2005. The original bastion façades were then re-exposed.

Today, the bastion has been totally redeveloped into one of Gibraltar's premiere leisure facilities, the latest lease of life for this important monument. “The King ’ s Bastion Leisure Centre ” .

Landport Gate was built by the Spaniards in the late sixteenth century on the site of an earlier Moorish gate. It was the only land entrance into Gibraltar. It was destroyed and had to be rebuilt in 1729 by the British. The drawbridge went into a state of decay but in 1922 it was repaired and is now in full working order. During the Great Siege, General Eliott’ s troops stole out through this gate for a surprise attack on the Spanish lines. Bomb Proof Battery (1790), Hesse’s Demi Bastion (1705) Couveport Battery

and King’s Lines Battery provided flanking cover for Gibraltar ’ s only land entrance, Landport Gate.

Line Wall from the time the British captured Gibraltar in 1704 there has been a co-ordinated system of defence from the North Face of the Rock to Europa Point. These defences, which became known as the Line Wall,were built on the Moorish sea-wall using white Portland limestone. The sea lapped at the foot of the walls which were almost entirely reconstructed and fortified. All the land to the west of this wall has, over the years, been reclaimed from the sea.

As a memorial of his regard and welfare of the people of Gibraltar, Governor Sir Horace Lockwood Smith-Dorrien had the esplanade and steps constructed along the Line Wall in 1921.

The Gibraltar War Memorial on Line Wall Road is in honour of the fallen during World War I including a number of Gibraltarians. It was unveiled in 1923 by the Governor General Sir Charles Monro and is the work of Jose Piquet Catoli from Barcelona. As the Royal Air Force did not exist in its present form until the 1

st

April 1918 (amalgamation of Royal Flying Corps & Royal Naval Service) it relates only to soldiers and sailors. The two Russian guns were captured during the Crimean War and were given to the people of Gibraltar for the help Gibraltar gave during this war.They arrived in Gibraltar in 1858.

O’ Hara’s Tower and

Battery was named after General Charles O’Hara who was the Governor of Gibraltar from 17951802. He believed that if only the Rock was a little higher, his lookouts would be able to see the Spanish ships as they left Cadiz. He had a special tower built on top of the highest point of the Rock at the southern end where O’Hara ’ s Battery stands today.

O’Hara’s Tower proved to be a failure and it became known as “O’Hara ’ s Folly. ” The tower was later demolished and a gun battery was constructed in its place. It was subsequently reconstructed in 1935 with a 9.2 inch gun that had a range of 16.82 miles.

O’Hara was very popular with the officers and men and was nicknamed “The Old Cock of the Rock. ”

Prince Edward’s Gate is in the Charles V Wall overlooking Trafalgar Cemetery and was named after Queen Victoria ’ s father, the Duke of Kent. From 1802 to 1820 he was the Governor of Gibraltar.

Ragged Staff. A gate was cut through the Line Wall in 1736 to

access victually warships after a wharf 350 feet long was built by a contractor to the Navy Victualling Office.The wharf was accessed by a flight of stone steps, and a drawbridge.

There are many theories to the origin of the name, though none of them have been verified. One theory suggests that the Ragged Staff was a badge of the Emperor Charles V. Another suggests that at the end of the jetty there was a ragged mast that was used to hoist the barrels from the row boats. (A naval term for the mast is staff, hence, ragged staff.) Yet another suggests the name derived from the rough finish of the original work because staff can mean cement or similar building material. Major General Sir John Jones called the area, “ an

ill-conditioned spot... ” .

The gates provide passage through the wall at a site that was known as the Ragged Staff Couvreport.

Rock Gun Battery during the Great Siege work was started on a road up to the highest point of the North Face (1300 ft), but it took far too long so the impatient gunners took matters into their own hands. Using block and tackle they hauled a large cannon to the summit where they established Rock Gun Battery. From this lofty position they could harass the main Spanish camp.

During the World War II the battery was reconstructed and a light anti-aircraft gun platform was positioned on the very edge of the North Face of the Rock.

Southport Gates were constructed in 1552 during the reign of Emperor Charles V. The Arms of Gibraltar and the Spanish Arms are above the original gate and a second gate, opened in 1883 bears the arms of Queen Victoria and General Sir John Adye, a Governor of Gibraltar. The third, and widest of these gates is Referendum Gate. It was opened in 1967 and commemorates the referendum in which Gibraltarians voted by an overwhelming majority, to retain their links with Britain. All these gates provide access through an ancient Moorish wall.

Wellington Front was constructed by convict labour in 1840. Over 900 convicts worked on the construction of walls and other defensive work. The Owen Glenower (named after a Welsh Prince) anchored off the Front was the home for the convicts. The ship ’ s bell, which is now in the Gibraltar Museum, was rung whenever a convict escaped.

In 1875 it was decided that it would be cheaper to employ local labour as the prisoners did not work hard enough to pay for their keep.