The Great Siege Tunnels

Great Siege Tunnels is a web of tunnels found inside the Rock of Gibraltar and is impressive as a resourceful defence system. Initiated at the end of the Great Siege in 1783 that was an attempt to recapture the Rock from the British, this network of tunnels is a marvel.

These tunnels have been carved out using strength and skills of the people who dug it out using a sledgehammer and a crowbar, and gunpowder for blasting. In five weeks 18 men had driven a tunnel 8 square feet (2.4sq m) by 82 feet long (25m) into the Rock. Guns had been mounted here, and by the time the Siege ended, the tunnel was 370 feet (113m) long and had four guns mounted in it. This first gallery was called 'Windsor Gallery'. Work continued on this cave and two other galleries called "King's And Queen's Lines" lower down the north face of the Rock were made. The tunnel was driven downwards and a large chamber opened under the 'Notch' called St George's Hall, where a battery of seven guns was instilled. The Cornwallis Chamber was also excavated at this time.

The entrance to the Upper Galleries is dominated by a Victorian 64-pounder cannon. There are other Victorian guns in the Gallery dating back to 1850, as well as an original 18th Century cannon. The Holyland Tunnel, leads from St George's Hall to above Catalan Bay on the East Side of the Rock and affords magnificent views of the Mediterranean Sea. This is just a small part of a network of tunnels inside the Rock of Gibraltar.

During the Second World War, another 30 miles (40Km) of tunnels were added to this wonderful example of engineering. The Great Siege Tunnels, within its chambers, presently exhibit some scenes of these tunnels throughout their unique history. The Cathedral Cave was once believed to be bottomless.

This cave consists of an Upper Hall with 5 connecting passages and rocks between 40ft (12.2m) and 150ft (45.7m) to a smaller hall. Beyond this, a series of narrow halls leads to another series of chambers, reaching depths of around 250ft (62.5m) below the entrance. The cave also had a centuries old stalagmite that became too heavy and fell on its side at the far end of the Chamber. The Cathedral Cave is opened to visitors and is also a unique auditorium for concerts, ballets, drama and presentations.