the viewing deck: Gibraltar 1st part; Castle Steps to the Upper Rock

Wednesday, April 22, 2015

Gibraltar 1st part; Castle Steps to the Upper Rock

2 Days Solo Side Trip to Winter Gibraltar
December 10 to December 12, 2014

Gibraltar Airport Arrival in the Morning

Castle Steps start inside Main Street from Casemate Square. From here, go the narrow street infront of Central Post Office. Continue to walk as the street is properly sign posted going to Upper Rock Reserve. Then, pass through the Willis Road on the left until reaching the gate where the Moorish Castle is located. The fortifications on and around the site of the Moorish Castle were first built in 1160. The Tower of Homage, its main feature, dates primarily from about 1333 AD. In 1940, Royal Engineers commenced excavation. A total of 52kms of World War II Tunnels have been hewn out of the Rock. City under Siege Exhibition is one of the buildings ever constructed by the British in Gibraltar. Undoubtedly, the most important aspect is the graffiti that can be seen on the walls, the earliest of which dates back to 1726. Lime Kiln is the last remaining dating from 19th century. The lime was used to dispose of bodies quickly. Great Siege Tunnels are excavated by British Army during the Great Siege of 1779-1783, these tunnels form part of what is arguably one of the most impressive defense systems anywhere.

Originally named the Upper Rock Nature Reserve, it was limited to the upper part of the Rock of Gibraltar, a long and narrow limestone peninsula that rises to a height of 426masl. The Rock is part of the Betic Cordillera, formed about 200 million years ago. From the crest of the rock there is a dramatic view of the area, including Spain across the Bay of Gibraltar and Jebel Musa of Morocco across the Strait of Gibraltar. It is an area of considerable natural beauty and one of the main tourist attractions in Gibraltar.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gibraltar_Nature_Reserve