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    Tourist Attractions in Gibraltar

    The most interesting and beautiful tourist attractions in Gibraltar. Photos and a brief description.

    Gibraltar
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    About Gibraltar

    The state-city of Gibraltar is located in the most strategically important place on the planet — at the exit from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic Ocean. Many people come here to see Africa while standing in Europe. You can explore the city not only in breadth, but also by climbing a rock towering like a giant in the middle of the peninsula. This is the main attraction of Gibraltar. There is plenty of space for tourists here – viewing platforms with picturesque views, a nature reserve with rare monkeys, labyrinths of tunnels, a suspension bridge.

    Given the geographical location of the city, there have been many bloody battles and wars in its history, so a large number of bastions, casemates, fortress walls, fortifications and defense posts have been preserved here. Most of them have been restored and are available for inspection.

    Top Tourist Attractions in City

    The Rock of Gibraltar

    Occupies most of the country's territory. Height – 426 meters, length – 5 km, width – 1200 meters. The age is about 200 million years. It consists of limestone rocks that eventually erode, and caves are formed. There are more than 100 of them in total, the largest and most visited is St. Michael's. Part of the rock is part of the reserve, its most valuable inhabitants are Barbary macaques–magots and partridges. Tourists are attracted by a unique maze of tunnels cut into the rock in the XVIII-XX centuries.

    The Rock of Gibraltar
    Magots

    Magots

    This variety of narrow–nosed tailless macaques is a kind of symbol of Gibraltar. On the territory of Europe, only here they live in a natural environment and enjoy complete freedom – they pester tourists, steal food, penetrate into homes. On the rock is their patrimony – the Apes Den Nature Reserve. You can watch magots, take pictures, but it is forbidden to feed them. According to legend, as long as the monkeys are alive, Gibraltar will remain in British possession, so they are loved and protected.

    Ocean Village

    A resort complex with a well-developed infrastructure. It includes a 5-star hotel "Sunborn", residential apartments, a large office center. On the embankment there are many boutiques of the most fashionable brands, restaurants and bars, nightclubs and casinos, and other cultural and entertainment venues. The marina in this area has more than 300 berths and accepts vessels up to 100 meters long. Boat trips along the Iberian Peninsula are popular.

    Ocean Village
    Gibraltar Airport

    Gibraltar Airport

    The take–off and landing of airliners at the local airport is quite an exciting sight. The fact is that due to the lack of space, the runway is very short - 1828 meters, and besides, it is surrounded on both sides by the sea. It also crosses Gibraltar's busiest highway. It has to be blocked with barriers to let the next plane pass. Due to the proximity of the strait, the weather in the area is unpredictable. But, despite all the difficulties, the airport receives up to 30 planes every week.

    Catalan Bay

    This name has a bay at the eastern foot of the cliff, a sandy beach and a village located on the shore. The local beach is the second largest in Gibraltar, but the most popular among tourists and residents of the peninsula. Its history dates back to the XVII century. Today it is a picturesque, very clean and well-maintained recreation area with cafes and restaurants specializing in seafood. Nearby – Parking, bus stop. The Caletta Palace Hotel is within walking distance.

    Catalan Bay
    The area of the Casemates

    The area of the Casemates

    It got its name from the soldiers' stone barracks built during the period of British colonization. Today they have been converted into a Center for Crafts and Arts. The perimeter of the square is surrounded by museums, cafes and bars, souvenir shops. In the center there is a monument dedicated to the soldiers of the Gibraltar Regiment. The Health Administration building is also located here. The square is always noisy and crowded. Various festivals, concerts, celebrations are held.

    John Mackintosh Square

    Since 1940, it has been named after a well-known merchant, philanthropist and philanthropist in Gibraltar, who lived in the late XIX-first half of the XX centuries. Before that, it was called a Shopping area. It traces its history back to the XIV century. Today, the main buildings of the city – the Mayor's office and the parliament, as well as the Tourist Information Center are located here. Since 1992, it has been the venue for official celebrations dedicated to Gibraltar's National Day on September 10.

    John Mackintosh Square
    Gibraltar Museum

    Gibraltar Museum

    The opening took place in 1930. Museum expositions reflect the main stages of the history of Gibraltar. Here are the remains and tools of primitive people, exhibitions ranging from the Phoenician to the British period. As well as extensive collections of weapons from different times, printed publications and lithographs, local flora and fauna. The museum complex includes unique Moorish baths of the XIV century. There is a small gift shop.

    Church of St. Mary the Crowned

    The Center of the Catholic Faith in Gibraltar. It traces its history back to the XV century – the time of Spanish rule. After the Great Siege, the building was badly damaged. The governor offered to restore it instead of a part of the land that belonged to the church. It was used for the redevelopment of Main Street. In 1820, the clock tower was completed. The statue of a soldier at the entrance to the cathedral was received as a gift from the British Army Corps – Royal Engineers.

    Church of St. Mary the Crowned
    Trafalgar Cemetery

    Trafalgar Cemetery

    The first burials appeared in 1798. Although the name of the cemetery is associated with the legendary battle of 1805, officially only 2 of its participants are buried here. But there are several dozen unmarked graves that may well belong to British sailors. Basically, on the territory of a small cemetery, those who died in other battles of 1801-1812 are buried. As well as victims of several fever epidemics that occurred at the beginning of the XIX century.

    Gibraltar Botanical Garden

    The date of foundation is 1816. The area is 6 hectares . There are about 2 thousand interesting species of tropical vegetation and trees. Some of them are over 200 years old, including Dragon Tree, Pine Pine, Olive tree. On the territory of the kindergarten there is a Summer theater, a wildlife Park with exotic animals, an Italian Dell garden with ponds and waterfalls, a playground. As well as monuments to General Elliott and the Duke of Wellington.

    Gibraltar Botanical Garden
    Moorish Castle

    Moorish Castle

    It was originally built in the VIII century and radically rebuilt 6 centuries later. It is considered the largest defense structure of the Moorish period in Europe. It is located in the north-west of the rocky massif. It consists of the surviving fortress walls, gates and a 100-meter tower. The walls of the complex are dotted with potholes from cannonballs and artillery fire. Today, a museum is open here, only 4 rooms on the top of the tower are available for visits.

    Artillery batteries and structures

    One of the main military components of Gibraltar – the coastal artillery – has now been turned into an object of tourist business. At the top of the cliff is the O'Hare Battery. Its main exhibit is a powerful 9.2-inch gun. The southernmost battery – Fort Harding built in 1859, contains a 12.5-mm cannon weighing 50 tons. The battery of the Princess Anna of the XVIII century consisted of 9 guns, in the XIX century 5.25-inch guns were added, 3 of them – in closed towers, 1 – underground.

    Artillery batteries and structures
    Tunnels from the time of the Great Siege

    Tunnels from the time of the Great Siege

    Gibraltar's unique defense system. The maze of tunnels was built in 6 weeks by the British to protect against the combined forces of Spain and France in 1779-1783 . They were cut down manually on the north side of the cliff. Largely thanks to the guns moved here, England was able to win. During the Second World War, the tunnels were significantly expanded. Today, exhibition halls are open here, where cannons, mannequins of soldiers and other exhibits of military history are displayed.

    Tunnels of the Second World War

    Siege tunnels in the war 40s were continued, their total length was 50 km. They served as a shelter for local residents, as well as warehouses with ammunition, ammunition, and provisions were located here. Today, only some of them are accessible to tourists, have been converted into a military museum, and serve as a venue for exhibitions and theatrical performances. Most of the maze still belongs to the military leadership and is closed to the public.

    Tunnels of the Second World War
    St. Michael's Cave

    St. Michael's Cave

    A fascinating work of nature-craftswomen. The largest of the hundreds of caves of the Rock of Gibraltar. It is located at an altitude of 300 meters. It is famous for huge stalactite formations that look fantastic in the light of multi-colored spotlights. It has 3 entrances and exits, numerous halls on different levels. The largest of them hosts concerts of classical music. There is an underground lake in the lower caves. Traces of cavemen and rock art were found here.

    Mediterranean Steps Trail

    The route is recommended only for trained tourists. It was created by the British military in the XVIII century on the scale of a communication system. With the help of steps, access to defense posts and firing points on the rock was established. The trail starts at the Pillars of Hercules, passes through the nature reserve, along the eastern part of the cliff, and ends at its very top, near the batteries of O'Hara and Lord Airey. The length is 1800 meters. In 2007, the steps were reconstructed.

    Mediterranean Steps Trail
    Windsor Suspension Bridge

    Windsor Suspension Bridge

    The opening took place in 2016. A bridge has been built over a 50-meter gorge on the territory of the Verkhnyaya Skala Nature Reserve. The length is 71 meters. On both sides, it is firmly attached to the rock walls with the help of large supports installed at a depth of 12 meters. But still, there are small fluctuations during the passage, which adds a portion of thrills to an exciting walk. But the fascinating views of the city below and the seascapes make you forget about the fear of heights.

    Cable car

    Connects the city center with the top of the rock of Gibraltar. It was opened in 1966, and subsequently modernized several times. The lower station is located near the botanical garden. The length of the road is 673 meters. Travel time is 6-7 minutes. The cabins are designed for 30 people. Near the upper station there are several observation decks, a cafe, a souvenir shop. The trip includes a stop at the middle station, near the Monkey Den, but only from November to March.

    Cable car
    Cape Europe

    Cape Europe

    An excellent observation deck, from where the African coast is visible in clear weather. The southernmost point of the peninsula. Here stands the Trinity Lighthouse, built in the XIX century and now operating. The light from it is visible to all sea vessels passing along the strait. Since 1994, it has been fully automated. There are other noteworthy objects – a mosque, a Catholic chapel, a monument to General Sikorsky who died in 1943, coastal artillery guns, a large playground.