St. Jago's Arch: A Window to Gibraltar's Spanish Past

St. Jago's Arch, a Category B Listed Structure, stands as a poignant reminder of Gibraltar's Spanish heritage. This ornate sandstone arch is the original entrance to the Hermitage of Our Lady of the Rosary, constructed in the 16th century. Today, it's embedded in the western facade of St. Jago's Barracks, at the southern end of Main Street, near Southport Gates.Commissioned by King Philip II of Spain, Flemish artist Anton van den Wyngaerde sketched the Hermitage of Our Lady of the Rosary in 1567, placing it at the city walls' southern edge. After the British capture of Gibraltar in 1704, the church became a military store, but the arch was preserved. It was once believed the arch was moved from the Church of Our Lady of the Head, but this was proven false.In 1883, the majority of the building was torn down to construct the Royal Engineers Barracks, later known as St. Jago's Barracks. The western facade containing the original gateway was kept and incorporated into the new building. Over the years, the barracks housed St. Jago's School and later, the Income Tax Department. A red plaque was erected in the mid-1960s to provide historical information, but it contained inaccuracies. Conservation efforts in 2013 aimed to restore the arch and provide accurate information.