The Southernmost tip of Gibraltar boasts views of Mount Sidi Musa in Morocco and the Spanish enclave of Ceuta. At this point the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean meets. The lighthouse is the only lighthouse outside of the United Kingdom which is governed by Trinity House.

A large Muslim Mosque is also located at Europa Point. (back to top)

100 Ton Gun

Only four 100 Ton Guns were ever built in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, 2 were sent to Malta and the remaining 2 guns were stationed in Gibraltar. Although never fired in anger the 100 Ton Gun could apparently fire reaching the Straits of Gibraltar.(back to top)

Parson’s Lodge

This old British fort, situated adjacent to Nelson’s Anchorage was built to protect Rosia Bay where old naval galleons would enter in order to take ammunition and provisions including water from the old water tanks. After the British victory at the Battle of Trafalgar of 1805, the British Flagship H.M.S. Victory was towed into the bay being severely damaged. On board this vessel, inside a barrel of brandy tied around the central mast of the ship was the dead corpse of Admiral Nelson. His body was transferred onto another ship and sailed back to England for burial.

Apparently there was little brandy left in the barrel when it arrived in England! (back to top)

Jew’s Gate

Once an old Jewish burial ground existed in the surrounding area now affords great views of the Straits of Gibraltar, Tarifa, the southernmost tip of Spain. Here you will be able to take pictures with a monument dedicated to the Pillars of Hercules. (back to top)

St. Michael’s Cave

Named after a similar cave situated in Italy, St. Michael’s Cave is a beautiful, prehistoric cave formed over millions of years. Geologically, the Rock of Gibraltar is made of Jurassic limestone and as such is porous. Rain water filters through the rock and dissolves the minerals in the limestone leaving them deposited inside the cave as stalactites and stalagmites. When these formations meet they are known as stalactos.

The cave consists of a main cave called Leonora’s Cave and a lower cave called simply Lower St. Michael’s Cave where there is a fresh water lake around 380m above sea level. The cave also consists of a labyrinth of natural passageways and smaller caverns. St. Michael’s Cave was once believed to be bottomless and mythology claims that the monkeys arrived in Gibraltar via an underwater tunnel linking Morocco to Gibraltar!

The cave has had many uses in the past. Initially it is believed that the cave was the home of the Neanderthal Man and recently cave painting found in the cave are indicative of primitive life in the cave. Before the 2nd World War the cave was converted into a military hospital as Britain prepared for war with Germany. This never came about and these were never used by the British.

Today, the cave is a natural theatre as shows are held here occasionally e.g. concerts, Philamonic Orchestra, Military Bands, Fashion Shows and Beauty Pageants like the Miss Gibraltar Show. (back to top)

Top of the Rock  

The top of the rock affords spectacular and breathtaking views of the Bay of Gibraltar, the Mediterranean, the Spanish Costa del Sol, views to La Linea de la Concepcion, the isthmus and the township of San Roque. On a clear winter’s day you may see the shimmer of the snow capped mountains in Sierra Nevada in Granada, Spain. (back to top)

Apes/Monkeys

Gibraltar is the only place in Europe where monkeys live in the wild. Native to Northern Morocco and Algeria these macaques probably found their way to Gibraltar on board merchant and pirate ships. There are approximately 250 monkeys in Gibraltar and they make up 6 distinct families or packs. Each pack is lead by a dominant male or Alpha male who is responsible for the safety and wellbeing of that family.

There is an old British military saying that states that “as long as the monkeys stay in Gibraltar, it will remain British” (back to top)

Great Siege Tunnels

There are more kilometres/miles of tunnel in Gibraltar than there are kilometres/miles of road outside. In fact there are a total of 33 miles or 52km of tunnel. Most of these are military in nature. The Great Siege Tunnels takes us back to the late 1700, in fact 1783 when they were built by the fore-fathers of the Royal Engineers who were then known as the soldier artificers. They were built by hand using crowbar and pick in only one year. The sole purpose of building this tunnel was in order to transfer a cannon to a ledge known by the British as “the notch” in order to destroy the Spanish Fortifications as and when they were being built.

From the vantage point you will be able to see panoramic views to the North of Gibraltar, Our airport, La Linea de la Concepcion (the Spanish neighbour town) and the township of San Roque. (back to top)

Moorish Castle

The Moorish Castle was built by the Moors in the early part of the 14th Century. The last remaining tower is known as the Tower of Homage and there are well preserved Moorish baths within this tower. Having stood the test of time, the Tower of Homage is one of the last remaining pieces of Moorish architecture in Gibraltar. From the top of the tower you will enjoy almost 360º views of the City of Gibraltar and the RAF Airfield. (back to top)

Second World War Tunnels

These tunnels, run by an independent company, offer tours of the tunnels built by the Royal Engineers before and in preparation for the Second World War. There are a total of 33 miles or 52 kilometres of tunnel inside the Rock. The British, in preparation for war, set up a “town” inside the Rock or Gibraltar. The intention was to house up to 17,000 military personnel inside the Rock who could remain hidden inside for up to 2 years with ample food and water supply for this period. There were fully kitted sleeping accommodation for the Army, Navy, Royal Air Force and domestic staff (mainly women). There were kitchens, a hospital including a fully fledged operating theatre, a pharmacy, ammunition, food, water and fuel stores.

It was within the Rock that Operation Torch was planned i.e. the Invasion into North Africa by Eisenhower and Montgomery.