Gibraltar defences

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United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (Europe and North America)

Date of Submission: 03/01/1996
Criteria: (iv)(v)
Category: Cultural
Submission prepared by:
Department of National Heritage 2-4 Cockspur Street, London SW1Y 5DH
Coordinates:
Long. 5°20'47" W / Lat. 36°08'07" N Gibraltar
Ref.: 697

Description

The Rock of Gibraltar is one of the world's unique examples of a natural beacon and fortress which has been the focus, because of its geological and strategic position, of the attention of humans since the early days of prehistory. The Rock has long been the symbol of strength and stability and its singular geological makeup has permitted its use and defence by successive cultures. The Rock of Gibraltar, 6 kilometres long by 1 kilometre wide, has one of the highest densities of universal heritage in the world and for this reason it is the entire peninsula, the natural fortress, which is included in the proposed World Heritage Site.



The Site's focus is one in which the natural resources and geological position of the Rock are seen as forming the basis for its continued occupation by humans since the Middle Palaeolithic and in which the natural defences, complemented by a unique system of walls, bastions and tunnels, together form the Fortress of Gibraltar. The Site may therefore be summarised as follows:



A massive block of Jurassic limestone rising to 426 metres above sea level creating a spectacular scenery and a unique coastal cliff vegetation which includes several endemic species. Its northern and eastern walls have provided the basis of its successful defence, having endured a total of fourteen sieges in its history. Within this karstic block, a large part of which is a natural reserve, over 140 caves have been listed and these include Gorham's Cave which has a 17 metre deep stratigraphy with occupation commencing loo,ooo years ago and ending with a



Carthaginian shrine in the 3rd century BC. This site, which is the subject of an international research project, has revealed Neanderthal occupation 1000 years ago making it one of the last sites in which these hominids survived in the world. The entire cave system, which includes five Neanderthal and at least ten Neolithic sites, is included in the nomination.



The medieval Islamic fortifications and bnildings of the 14th century which include the Tower of Homage and southern flank walls of the Castle and Baths which are situated in the Gibraltar Museum complex. Two recently excavated sites are also included. The extant section of the 50 metre long Galley House which is the only remaining one of its kind and the remnants of the western wall of the Great Mosque of the same period. To this are added a series of 15th century Spanish fortifications, including the Wall of Charles which divides the peninsula from east to west, and the North and South Bastions.



The line of defences and fortifications which encircle the western flank of Gibraltar and which, together with the limestone cliffs, formed the basis of the defence of the Rock in the 1sth and 19th centuries. These defences include the King's Bastion which defended Gibraltar during the attack of the floating batteries in 17S2 and which includes 1Sth, 19th and 20th century features, and a number of coastal defences including the recently restored Parson's Lodge Battery. To these defences are added the complex network of tunnels inside the Rock, including the Galleries which were excavated during the 18th century for the defence of the Rock during the Great Siege of 1779-83, and the World War II tunnels which include power stations, hospitals and the brigade headquarters used by Eisenhower for "Operation Torch"- the North African landings.



The dockyard which was built between 1894 and 1906 as part of the Royal Navy's Mediterranean strategy and which complemented Malta for much of the first half of the 20th century. To this are added earlier naval facilities such as the well preserved 18th century Victualling Yard and Rosia Harbour where Nelson's body was brought after Trafalgar in 1805. The Trafalgar Cemetery and the former Admiral's residence and grounds known as The Mount also form part of this naval heritage.



A series of houses and civic buildings which have been built since the 15th century. These include places of worship, such as the King's Chapel and the Convent (now the Governor's Residence) which were built by Franciscans, The Shrine of Our Lady of Europe on the site of a medieval site of pilgrimage, and the Cathedral of St Mary the Crowned, a gothic 16th century building on the site of the Great Mosque. The 1 8th century Garrison Library, a number of Georgian houses, the City Hall (a 10th century mansion) and the Exchange and Commercial Library (now the House of Assembly) are among the outstanding buildings included in the proposed World Heritage Site.



Boundaries

The boundaries of the proposed Site are delineated as follows. The north is delimited by the towering cliffs of Gibraltar, popularly known as the North Face. The eastern boundary is the coastline of the peninsula, backed by cliffs. The boundary starts in the north close to the old Genoese fishing village of Catalan Bay and extends south to the apex of the peninsula at Europe Point. From Europa Point northwards the Site's western boundaries follow the coast up to and including the dry docks and then follows a straight line eastwards to South Jumper's Bastion. From there northwards it follows the western defensive walls to the North Face.