SHORE EXCURSION 3hrs Tunnel Tour

Gibraltar

Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory and headland, on Spain's south coast. It’s dominated by the Rock of Gibraltar, a 426m-high limestone ridge. First settled by the Moors in the middle Ages and later ruled by Spain, the outpost was ceded to the British in 1713. Layers of fortifications include the remains of a 14th-century Moorish Castle and the 18th century Great Siege Tunnels, which were expanded in WWII

The Rock of Gibraltar

The Rock of Gibraltar is a monolithic limestone promontory located in the British territory of Gibraltar, near the southwestern tip of Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. It is 426 m high. Most of the Rock's upper area is covered by a nature reserve, which is home to around 300 Barbary macaques

Gibraltar Town

Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory and headland, on Spain's south coast. It’s dominated by the Rock of Gibraltar, a 426m-high limestone ridge. First settled by the Moors in the middle Ages and later ruled by Spain, the outpost was ceded to the British in 1713. Layers of fortifications include the remains of a 14th-century Moorish Castle and the 18th century Great Siege Tunnels, which were expanded in WWII

Trafalgar Cemetery (Pass-by Only)

The Trafalgar Cemetery is a cemetery in the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar. Formerly known as the Southport Ditch Cemetery, it occupies a small area of land just to the south of the city walls, in what had been a defensive ditch during the period of Spanish rule of Gibraltar.

Charles V Wall (Pass-by Only)

The Charles V Wall is a 16th-century defensive curtain wall that forms part of the fortifications of the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar

Gibraltar Botanic Gardens (The Alameda) (Pass-by Only)

The Gibraltar Botanic Gardens or La Alameda Gardens are a botanical garden in Gibraltar, spanning around 6 hectares (15 acres) In 1816 the gardens were commissioned by the British Governor of Gibraltar General George Don. It was his intention that the soldiers stationed in the fortress would have a pleasant recreational area to enjoy when off duty, and so inhabitants could enjoy the air protected from the extreme heat of the sun.

Gibraltar Upper Rock Nature Reserve

The Gibraltar Nature Reserve is a protected nature reserve in the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar that covers over 40% of the country's land area. It was established as the Upper Rock Nature Reserve in 1993 under the International Union for Conservation of Nature's category Ia and was last extended in 2013

According to Greek mythology Hercules had to take on twelve tasks. One of these tasks was to bring the cattle of Geryon from the west to Eurytheus. On his journey Hercules had to cross the Atlas Mountains. Rather than climbing over these mountains, he used his great strength to smash through them and as a result, he brought the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean together. After he had achieved this task, the result was what is now known as The Pillars of Hercules. This became the Rock of Gibraltar on the northern side and Jebel Musa in Ceuta on the southern side.

St. Michael's Cave

Of over the 150 caves that have been discovered in the Rock of Gibraltar this is the most visited with over one million visitors per year. The cave is situated at over 300 metres above sea level. In 1942 during the second world war blasting was in process inside this cave in order to allow for more ventilation. The cave was to be used as an emergency hospital. During the blasting, a discovery was made of a deeper system of caves which is now known as Lower St. Michael’s Cave.

Skywalk

The Skywalk is a former military lookout transformed into a state of the art glass platform and walkway giving spectacular views across the Mediterranean. An unbroken 360º panoramic viewpoint . Enter the 360º environment and get a feel for the freedom and exhilaration you will experience at The Skywalk.

This Stop is at the top of the Rock where you will see breathtaking views all around Gibraltar. Here we will have an interaction with our famous Monkeys at Upper Apes Den (The same height level as the cable) The Barbary Macaque Apes are the only ones to be found within the continent of Europe. They reside at the upper rock nature reserve of Gibraltar. At present there are over 200 apes in 9 packs that roam through the upper rock. Legend has it that in 1942 the population of apes fell to just 7 and the Prime Minister of Great Britain (Sir Winston Churchill) ordered that the population of the apes be immediately replenished because as long as there are Barbary Macaques Apes on the Rock of Gibraltar it will remain under British rule.

Gibraltar: A City Under Siege Exhibition (Pass-by Only)

City under Siege Exhibition – The buildings in which this exhibition is housed are probably one of the first buildings ever constructed by the British in Gibraltar hence dating back to the beginning of the 18th Century. Undoubtedly the most important aspect of these building is the graffiti that are seen on the walls which were made by soldiers mounting guard in the area who used to spend their time drawing on walls in order for them not falling asleep during the long hours of duty as a offence there punishment was death back on those days.

The Great Siege Tunnels

These tunnels are one of the main attractions of the Rock of Gibraltar. The tunnels were carved out of the rock by hand during the Great Siege which took place between 1779-1783. This was done in order to defend Gibraltar against the Spanish and French forces who were trying to recapture Gibraltar from the British. Whilst tunnelling it was decided that a horizontal hole be blasted in the rock face in order to improve ventilation for the workmen. On closer examination it was realised that a gun could be put in place to bear down on attacking forces.

The Moorish Castle Complex (The Tower of Homage and The Gate House) (Pass-by Only)

On the drive down from the Upper rock Nature Reserve we will see the outside of the Moorish Castle, you will be able to see the history and battle scars due to cannon ball shots against the castle between the wars of the Moors and the Spanish. The Moorish Castle is a medieval fortification in Gibraltar which is made up of a number of buildings.

Winston Churchill and the British military leaders believed that an attack on Gibraltar was imminent therefore the answer was to construct a massive network of tunnels, to build a fortress inside a fortress, a city within a city.