Military Ceremonies

MILITARY CEREMONIES Roman Catholic Community

About 80% of Gibraltarians are Roman Catholics and they are served by five parishes, each with their own church. There are chapels at Catalan Bay, St. Bernard’ s, Mount Alvernia, and the Shrine of Our Lady of Europe, at Europa Point.

It was in 1462, when Spain expelled the Moors, that Catholicism became permanently established on the Rock. Until 1704 Gibraltar was part of the Diocese of Cadiz. During British rule the Catholic Church formed direct links with Rome, and this relationship remains.

In 1704 the Catholics were, of course, in the majority, in Gibraltar.

However, at the time, they were being persecuted in England. In Gibraltar the Protestant government went to great lengths to protect the Catholics, going so far as to post guards outside the Cathedral. Spanish speaking Catholic priests were brought from Minorca, then a British territory, to run the church.

Today Catholics live in harmony with the Protestants, Jews, Hindus and Muslims with whom they share this territory.

Olden days relived

Military Ceremonies

The model is a reminder of the tradition began by General Sir George Eliott who was Governor of Gibraltar during the Great Siege. He carried the keys of the Garrison on him at all times and was even said to have slept with them under his pillow.

Since this time successive Governors have kept up the tradition by carrying the keys at all official functions. The only time when the keys were not in the possession of the governor was when they were handed over to the Port Sergeant for the daily ceremonial opening and closing of the gates of Gibraltar. This was a daily task which was carried out

Olden days relived

by the Garrison until the beginning of the century.This ceremony is now re-enacted only once a year during May.

Special ceremonial events are held at regular intervals throughout the year, but the dates are not announced very far in advance for security reasons.

Daily changing of the guard

Commonwealth Gardens