"Bristling with old defenses" Caves / Tunnels Tip by Bwana_Brown

After obtaining some Gibraltar pound notes from a bank ATM, we continued our walk beneath and into the defensive fortifications protecting the north end of Gibraltar where it links to Spain. It was quite interesting to enter the Landport Tunnel leading into the old town itself. This tunnel was first built by the Spaniards in the late 1500s but, after being destroyed during the struggles for control of Gibraltar, the present version was rebuilt by the British in 1729. It has multiple doors and defenses to protect the city from attack. In the walk leading up to Landport Tunnel we also passed beneath the Tower of Homage, part of an old Moorish castle on the ridge above (3rd photo), dating from about 1333. It now serves as the local prison! Gibraltar is also famous for the 50-km network of tunnels carved into this limestone rock over the years to provide shelter for defending forces, ammunition and water storage as well as places for artillery to rain fire down on attackers. The 4th photo shows four openings in the rock wall above the entrance to Landport, from which guns could fire upon any attacking force.

The fact that Gibraltar was lost to the British in 1713 did not sit well with Spain and they tried to regain control of it with a short siege in 1727. That did not work so they made another attempt during the American Revolution, during which both Spain and France started a siege of the 7000-man garrison that lasted for four years (1779-1803) before they finally gave up. Even in relatively recent years Spain has not been happy with the situation, with the land border being completely closed from 1969-1985.

Directions: A direct walk from the airport crossing through part of Gibraltar to the City Gate (2nd photo)