Great Siege Tunnels: A Fortress Within the Rock

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Explore the Great Siege Tunnels in Gibraltar: a testament to military ingenuity and a window into the Rock's storied past.

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Great Siege Tunnels

Delve into Gibraltar's military history at the Great Siege Tunnels, an impressive network carved into the Rock of Gibraltar during the Great Siege of the late 18th century. Explore the tunnels, view historic cannons, and experience the ingenuity that helped the British defend this strategic territory.

A brief summary to Great Siege Tunnels

1b Leanse Place, Gibraltar, GX11 1AA, GI
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Monday 9 am-6:15 pm
Tuesday 9 am-6:15 pm
Wednesday 9 am-6:15 pm
Thursday 9 am-6:15 pm
Friday 9 am-6:15 pm
Saturday 9 am-6:15 pm
Sunday 9 am-6:15 pm

From Eve

Know before you go

Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring Great Siege Tunnels.

Wear comfortable shoes, as the terrain within the tunnels can be uneven.
Visit during off-peak hours (early morning or late afternoon) to avoid crowds.
Bring water and snacks, as there are limited services available within the Upper Rock Nature Reserve.
Be cautious of the wild monkeys in the area; secure your belongings and avoid feeding them.

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Getting There

Walking

From the Market Place, head east towards Casemates Square. Continue through the square and follow Main Street north. Turn right onto Line Wall Road, then follow the signs directing you to the Great Siege Tunnels. The entrance is located at 1b Leanse Place, approximately a 15-20 minute uphill walk from Main Street. Be prepared for a moderately steep incline.
Public Transport

From the Gibraltar Airport or frontier, take Citibus Route 5 or 10 to the central Market Place. From there, connect to Route 1, which will take you to the Upper Town terminus. Alight at Willis's Road Terminus, the closest bus stop to the Great Siege Tunnels. From there, walk uphill, following signs to the attraction. A Hopper Ticket allows unlimited travel on all Gibraltar bus routes for a day. A single bus fare costs approximately £2.
Taxi

Taxis are available at the Gibraltar cruise dock and the frontier. A taxi tour to the Great Siege Tunnels, St. Michael's Cave, and the Apes' Den typically costs around £22-£25 per person, including admission fees. A taxi directly from the Gibraltar Airport to the Great Siege Tunnels takes approximately 15 minutes. Expect to pay around £20-£25 for a one-way trip.

Discover more about Great Siege Tunnels

The Great Siege Tunnels, also known as the Upper Galleries, are a remarkable testament to military engineering, carved within the northern end of the Rock of Gibraltar. Constructed during the Great Siege of Gibraltar (1779-1783), these tunnels provided a crucial defensive stronghold against Spanish and French forces.Sergeant-Major Henry Ince of the Military Artificers initiated the tunnel construction in May 1782. His plan was to create a tunnel to reach The Notch, a spur of rock, to place a gun and cover a blind angle on the north-east side of the Rock. Workers relied on manual labor, picks, chisels, iron wedges, and gunpowder charges to tunnel through the dense Jurassic limestone. The tunnels evolved from a means of defense and communication to purpose-built military installations. As the tunneling progressed, ventilation issues prompted engineers to open gun ports along the cliff face, which not only improved airflow but gave defenders vantage points to position cannons directly facing the enemy lines.Today, the Great Siege Tunnels serve as a living museum, open daily for visitors to explore. Visitors can explore various chambers and passageways, each telling a different part of Gibraltar's military past. Historical cannons are still positioned, overlooking the same landscapes they once defended. Multimedia displays provide a rich, educational experience, bringing the history of the tunnels and their role in Gibraltar's past to life. The tunnels offer breathtaking views of the surrounding area, including the Strait of Gibraltar and the Mediterranean Sea.