Uncovering Gibraltar's Great Gate

Archaeologists led by the Gibraltar Museum have made important discoveries in the site known in medieval times as the Gate of Granada (above Casemates at the end of Road to the Lines).

This is the most important urban archaeological discovery in Gibral tar in the last seven years.

The Gate of Granada was the main entrance to the city ofGibral tar at the time of the Merinid occu pation of Gibraltar in the 14th Cen tury.

It is called "Granada" Gate as it was normal at the time for gates to be named after thecity thev pointed towards and its naming reveals the important connection between Gi braltar and Granada at the time. unteer Band provided an excellent repertoire of background music during the dinner. However the main event of the evening was the changeover of Presidents. The Past President Barbara Sellers ceremo nially handed over her Rotary chain of office to Tony Nation who will lead the club for the next twelve months. He said: "It is an honour tobe given the responsibil ity to lead such a reputablebody as the Rotary Qub. I will do my best with the members' support to raise funds for charity and maintain the ethos of the Club"

Archaeologists working on the site are astonished at the degree of preservation of what are the bases of the two pillars that made the gate (see photograph on the left).

The pillars are of a scale compa rable to thatof theAlhambra build ing itself.

It is planned to open the site to the public in the future.

The event also raised £600 from the raffle and £700 from the auction after the meal. This was only pos sible due to the hard work of Rotarian Bea Adams and the gen erosity of many local businesses.