Natural History & Heritage Park

dmission to the Natural ,History and Heritage Park is between 9.30am and 7pm by tickets(includes entrance to sit^S within the Park including St. Michael's Cave, Monkey's Den.Great Siege Tunnels, Military Heritage Centre, A City Under Siege' Exhibition and the Moorish Castle).(Facilities closed on Christmas Day and New Year's Day.) Adults E7.00 / Chil dren age 5-12 years: C4.00, Children age 4 years and under: free. Vehicles: £1.50. Pri vate vehicles may be restricted at certain times and it is advisable to take a Rock Tour by taxi/mini bus. The Natural History & Her itage Park can also be reached by Cable Car (leaves from Grand Parade 9.30am-6pm Monday to Sunday. Last cable up: 5.15pm, down: 5.45pm).

The flora and fauna on the

Upper Rock are considered to be of great conservational value. It's a perfect place for birdwatchers, as migratory species use Gi braltar as the shortest crossing between Eu rope and Africa, but botanists will also be interested to see over 6(X)species of flow ering plants, including some unique to Gi braltar. Watch out for colourful lizards, the norvvenemous Horseshoe Whipsnake. but terflies and pipistrelle bats, info on the Rock's flora and fauna is found at the Gi braltar Ornithological and Natural History Society's Information Centre at Jews Gate.

St. Michael's Cave; The cave consists of an upper hall with five connecting passages and drops of 40-150ft to a smaller hall, A further succession of chambers, some at 250ft below the entrance, is reached through narrow holes. The Cathedral Cave is open to visitors and is used as an audito rium for concerts and theatre. The cave was prepared as a hospital in WWII, but was never used. While blasting an alterna tive entrance a further series of chambers were discovered ending in a mini lake. These are called Lower St. Michael's Cave and can be visited with a qualified guide.

The Monkeys' Den: There are around 160 monkeys living in the Park and around 30 of these can be seen at the Monkey's Den. Often called apes,they are tail-less Barbary Macaques and the only free living monkeys in Europe. Feeding the monkeys is illegal and carries a fine of £500.

The Great Siege Tunnels: Tunnelling in the Rock began during the Great Siege (17791783) when France and Spain made an all out attempt to recapture the Rock while Britain was busy with the American War of Independence. Governor General Elliot of-

History Alive

fered a reward to any man who could tell him how to mount a gun on the north face of the Rock. It was a Sgt. Major Ince who suggested tunnelling and there are now over 30 miles of tunnels inside the Rock. Various exhibitions inside the tunnels bring their history to life.

The Military Heritage Centre: Housed in one of the Rock's many historic batteries, the Military Heritage Centre displays infor mation on the development of Gibraltar's military defences through the ages.

A City Under Siege Exhibition: Exhibits depicting the lives of the civilian population during the many sieges, are housed in one of the earliest British building on the Rock. Original graffiti, drawn by duty soldiers to stop themselves falling asleep, is still vis ible, the earliest dating back to 1726,

The Moorish Castle: The Moorish Castle IS actuailv (ust part of a Moorish town and castle which was built up during the Moorish occupation of the Iberian Penin sula. spearheaded from Gibraltar in 71 IAD by Tarik-ibn-Zeyad ("Gibraltar* is a corruption of the Arabic words "Jebel Tarik" - Tarik s mountain). The part we see today. The Tower of Homage, dates back to 1333AD, when Abu'l Hassan recaptured the Rock from the Spanish. The lower provides an excellent view point as it did for its Moorish builders centuries ago.

Natural History & Heritage Park Walks: One walk is recommended (St Michael's Cave through to Charles V Wall) but walk ers should be relatively fit. It is also pleas ant walking along the upper rock roads. Fact Files and brochures are available free from all Tourist Board offices,

Botanical Gardens: Opened in 1816, the Alameda Botanical Gardens fell into disre pair but are currently being restored to their former glory. Visitors can enjoy a stroll be neath pines, dragon trees Ihd palms, and see many of Gibraltar's native plants as well as exotic species The shop sells environ mentally friendly gifts, plants and seeds. Tel 72639/74022. Large car park available.

Nelson's Anchorage: Rosia Road 9 30am - 5.15pm Monday to Saturday(last entry at 5pm). Closed on Sunday. Admission: £1.00 (free of charge with Nature Reserve ticketTickets for the nature reserve can also be bought at this attraction).

Parson's Lodge: Rosia Road. A narrow limestone outcrop with a labyrinth of un derground tunnels surmounted by an im pressive battery, which has witnessed the development of coast artillery over 300 years. Once housed three 18 ton 10-inch rifled muzzle loaders positioned behind a unique sandwich of armour plate and teak, known as 'Gibraltar Shields'- Open 10am to 6pm every day. Adults £1.00 / Children & OAPs 50p.

Rat Bastion Magazine Fiat Bastion Road. Geological Research Station and Lithoiogy of Gibraltar. To visit please contact: F. Gomez Tel. 44460.P HodkinsonTel.43910.

Shrine of Our Lady of Europe(Museum within premises) Europa Road. 10am-7pm Monday to Friday, nam-7pm Saturday,Sun day and Public Holidays. Closed 1pm-2pm. Admission free.

Trafalgar Cemetery: Trafalgar Road, open Sam - 7pm daily(admission free).

Visitor Information

Gibraltar Museum Tel: 74289

18/20 Bomb House Lane Open 10am-6pm (Sat. 10am - 2pm). Closed on Sunday Ad mission: Adults £2.00/Children under 12 years £1.00 Special exhibitions also held at museum premises in Casemates gallery.

Heritage Trust Tel: 42844

Registry Office Tel: 72289

It is possible to get married on the Rock within 48 hours of arrival A fact taken ad vantage of by stars such as Sean Connery and John Lennon.

Rock Tours by Taxi Tel: 70052

As well as offering normal fares, Gibraltar taxis provide a complete Rock Tour taking in the Upper Rock, Europa Point and other sites of interest. It is the best way to see the Rock's major features in a shod time.

Tourist Board Tal; 74950

Gibraltar National Tourist Board, Arjndel Court. 179 Strand, London Tel 0207 836 0777 Fax: 0207 240 6612 E-mail giblandon(&aol.com

John Mackintosh Hall Tel: 75669

The centre of Gib's cultural life, this centre includes a cafeteria, theatre, exhibition rooms and library. 308 Main Street 9.30am - 11 pm Monday to Friday. Closed Saturday and Sunday.

Bus Routes

Route 2: Caleta Hotel•5 mins past the hour. When Sir Herbert Miles Rd is ready,the bus route will siaa from Both Worlds. Line Wall Rd, Cable Car, Prince Edward's Rd, St. Bernard's Hosp, 25 mins to the hour back to Caleta Hotel - down Prince Edward's Rd, Main St, Cathedral Sq,W.Churchill Ave, Dev il's Tower Rd, Caleta Hotel Monday - Friday 0830- 1700.

Birthday 14 June

Tercentenary Holiday* 4 August

Summer Bank Holiday 30 August National Day* lOSeptember

Christmas Day Holiday 27 December

Boxing Day Holiday 28 December

'Gibraltar Only

Spain/vxec/.- New Year 1 January: Epiphany

SJanuary: St Joseph 19March; Labour Day 1 May; St John 24 June; St James 25 July; Assumption Day 15 August; National Day

12 October: All Saints 1 November; Im maculate Conception 8 December; Christ mas 25 December. Moveable: Maundy passing US and British War Memorials, Mu seum,Cathedral Sq, Convent, Cable Car Sta tion, end of Alameda Estate, Rosia Rd, up Europa Rd,South Barrack Rd,KGV Hosp.St. Joseph's Sch,down S. Pavilion Rd and stops at Rosia PIz, nr 100 Ton Gun. Returns past Police Hq at New Mole House. Cumberland Rd, Rosia Rd, Boyd St, Mam St, Cathedral S, down Casemates, Queensway, up Europort Ave, Safeway Petrol Station, Watergardens, Corral Rd, Devil's Tower Rd and Catalan Bay. Mon - Fri 0730 -2130 (every 15 min. After 1645 every 30 min)Sat 0700-2100 Sun 10(X) -2100.

Thursday; Good Friday: Corpus Christi.

Gibraltar's streets are filled with military pageantry every Saturday morning when the Rock's past is brought alive bya troop of soldiers in IBth century period uniform. The soldiers march from Bomb House Lane at 12 noon to Casemates. At Casemates they carry out a "Ceremony of the Keys" routine and then march back up Main Street to the Cathedral of St Mary the Crowned.

Route 3: Runs between Frontier and Light house, Europa Pt. Calling at points inc. W. Churchill Ave, Smith Dorrien Ave, Line Wall Road,passing Museum,Convent,up Europa Rd past Casino.Loreto Convent, Lighthouse, and Caleta Hotel. Mon - Fri 0730 -1130 (non-stop), 1130 - 1830 (every 15-20 mm) 1830 -2130(every 1/2 hour)Saturday 08001000 (every hour) 1(X)0 -1800 (every 1/2 hour)1000 - 2130 (every hour)Sunday 1000 - 14(XI (every hour) 1400 - 2000 (every 1/2 hour).

Route 4: Catalan Bay, Devil's Tower Rd. W. Churchill Ave, Glacis Rd, Queensway, Europort Ave, Safeway Petrol Station, Gib 5, Watergardens, Casemates, Line Wall Rd.

Route 9: Frontier to Market PI and back, stops at W.Churchill Ave and Glacis Rd. Mon - Fri 0830 -2030 (every 15 min) Sat 08301400 (every 15 mm)1400 - 17(X)(every 30 mm)1700 -2000 hours(every hour)Sundays (no service).

Route 10: Runs Frontier. W. Churchill Ave, Glacis Rd. Watergardens. Gib 5, GASA Pool. Safeway, McDonalds. Europort Ave, British War Memorial. Mon - Fri 0830 -2030(every 20 minsi Sat 0830 -1900 Sun 1000 -ia».