inside the Rock!
Following our visit to the 'Upper Rock' and now having seen 'The Great Siege Tunnels' and 'St Michael's Cave', we've concluded the Rock must be almost hollow!
The tunnels are incredible and with it the history surrounding them. Here are a few highlights for those interested...
* In 1782 a tunnel was excavated as a way of getting a cannon onto a large natural projection on the cliff face known as 'The Notch' covering a gap in Gibraltar's defences. It took 13 men five weeks (using chisels, hammers and gunpowder) to drive an eight feet square tunnel 82 feet into the rock. At the end of the sixth week a hole was excavated to the outside well before 'The Notch'. Whether this was for ventilation or for the easy disposal of the excavated rock or simply an accident it is not know but it became obvious that this would make an excellent place to position a cannon.
the first hole, cannon and Bruce!
thick curtains made from rope, known as 'mantlets' gave some protection to the gunners from enemy fire. This helped minimise smoke and sparks from blowing back into the area when the cannon was fired.
Refinements were made to the cast iron carriages supporting the cannon barrels to allow the guns to be fired whilst pointing downwards from high positions. This was safer for the men as the recoil was upwards.
* By 1783 four guns were mounted in the tunnel, although the original destination of the Notch was not reached until four months after the siege ended (3yrs, 7months).
St Georges Hall with the four guns
* During WWII the tunnels were extended right through to the other side of the Rock.
* By the end of WWII a staggering 34 miles of tunnels were accessible. The demands of war meant that speed of build was essential but unfortunately this created many stress fractures in the rock.
St Michael's Cave is a network of caves made of limestone - it's vast and one of Europe's most dramatic natural grottoes with impressive stalactites and stalagmites. Once prepared as a hospital during WWII and now primarily a tourist attraction complete with multi-coloured flashing lights. We had a difference in opinion with regards to the lighting - Bruce thought that it highlighted the features whereas I felt that it distracted from the natural beauty. The largest chamber is occasionally used as an auditorium with a concrete stage and seating for about 100 people.
ignore the green hue, the natural colour is there... for a split second!
cross-section of a stalactite/mite showing periods of ice-age and drought.
The entry tickets allowed access to various attractions including the tunnels and cave. The tunnels and St Michael's Cave were the highlights, but we also enjoyed the Moorish Castle, Jews' Gate and the Siege Exhibition. Great value for money at £10 each.
The tunnels are incredible and with it the history surrounding them. Here are a few highlights for those interested...
* In 1782 a tunnel was excavated as a way of getting a cannon onto a large natural projection on the cliff face known as 'The Notch' covering a gap in Gibraltar's defences. It took 13 men five weeks (using chisels, hammers and gunpowder) to drive an eight feet square tunnel 82 feet into the rock. At the end of the sixth week a hole was excavated to the outside well before 'The Notch'. Whether this was for ventilation or for the easy disposal of the excavated rock or simply an accident it is not know but it became obvious that this would make an excellent place to position a cannon.
the first hole, cannon and Bruce!
thick curtains made from rope, known as 'mantlets' gave some protection to the gunners from enemy fire. This helped minimise smoke and sparks from blowing back into the area when the cannon was fired.
Refinements were made to the cast iron carriages supporting the cannon barrels to allow the guns to be fired whilst pointing downwards from high positions. This was safer for the men as the recoil was upwards.
* By 1783 four guns were mounted in the tunnel, although the original destination of the Notch was not reached until four months after the siege ended (3yrs, 7months).
St Georges Hall with the four guns
* During WWII the tunnels were extended right through to the other side of the Rock.
* By the end of WWII a staggering 34 miles of tunnels were accessible. The demands of war meant that speed of build was essential but unfortunately this created many stress fractures in the rock.
St Michael's Cave is a network of caves made of limestone - it's vast and one of Europe's most dramatic natural grottoes with impressive stalactites and stalagmites. Once prepared as a hospital during WWII and now primarily a tourist attraction complete with multi-coloured flashing lights. We had a difference in opinion with regards to the lighting - Bruce thought that it highlighted the features whereas I felt that it distracted from the natural beauty. The largest chamber is occasionally used as an auditorium with a concrete stage and seating for about 100 people.
ignore the green hue, the natural colour is there... for a split second!
cross-section of a stalactite/mite showing periods of ice-age and drought.
The entry tickets allowed access to various attractions including the tunnels and cave. The tunnels and St Michael's Cave were the highlights, but we also enjoyed the Moorish Castle, Jews' Gate and the Siege Exhibition. Great value for money at £10 each.
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