Gibraltar Sights

Great Siege Tunnels

#2 of 36 things to do in Gibraltar

#679 of 49020 things to do in Europe

1 reviews | Write a review

  • Address
    • Upper Rock Nature Reserve
  • Transport
    • downhill from top cable-car station
  • Price
    • full £8.00, child £4.00, price given is for admission by road - pedestrians pay less
  • Hours
    • 09:30-19:00

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Lonely Planet review for Great Siege Tunnels

The Great Siege Tunnels were gun emplacements hewn out by hand by the British during the 1779-83 siege. They constitute a tiny portion of the more than 70km (43mi) of tunnels in the Rock, most of which are off limits to the public. Nearby is the Tower of Homage, the last vestige of Gibraltar's Muslim castle, built in 1333.

New Ministry of Defence Tunnel Tours can now take you through the WWII caves where the Allied invasion of North Africa was planned.

 

Traveller reviews for Great Siege Tunnels (1)

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    Unmissable Tunnel Experience!

    colfrankland recommends this,

    The Great Siege Tunnels are well worth the visit, for two main reasons. Firstly, the views of the frontier with Spain and the town of La Linea beyond are fantastic. Secondly, marvel at the sheer ingenuity of the British Army engineers who fashioned these things out of the Rock's, er, rock. The story of how the Gibraltarians held out against the Spanish is truly remarkable.

    If you want some fun, take the No.8 minibus from the stop close to the American Monument. It goes up the Rock to the Castle and tackles the incredibly steep and narrow streets, lined with parked cars, at breakneck speed. How the hell we didn't hit something is a miracle and I must admit to viewing portions of the journey through my fingers. At a theme park, you'd pay good money for that kind of terror.

    I've been to the Tunnels a few times now, but one memorable occasion is branded on my mind and has become a dinner party brag ever since. That was the time I saw a tiny baby ape, which was only too happy to climb up my back and sit on my shoulder. Ahhhh-how cute. What I didn't know at the time was that Big Protective Daddy Ape was watching me from the undergrowth and decided to charge at me, teeth bared and at full speed, presumably to tear me limb from limb. I found myself running for my life at impressive speed towards the Siege Tunnels entrance with the aforementioned killer ape in hot pursuit. Luckily for me, the guy at the Tunnel pay booth spotted my situation and produced a big stick, which (using minimum force, I'm sure) he proceeded to beat Big Protective Daddy Ape around the head until he gave up - taking his baby with him, of course.

    Phew, close call!

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