Tower of Homage
Seen from town.
John Cummings — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Ymblanter — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Ymblanter — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Ymblanter — CC BY-SA 4.0
The Moorish Castle is a medieval fortress on the slope of the Rock of Gibraltar above the old town, about half a kilometre in a straight line east of the town centre. It includes buildings, gates and fortified walls, the most striking being the massive Tower of Homage, visible from all over town. Muslim history in Gibraltar began in 711, when Tariq ibn Ziyad crossed the strait, and Muslim rule lasted from 711 to 1309 and again from 1333 to 1462, 727 years in all, the longest period in its recorded history. The castle in its present form was built by the Marinid dynasty, which makes it unique on the Iberian Peninsula. The Tower of Homage rises with thick stone walls on a slope overlooking the town, the harbour and the bay. Visitors can climb to its roof for a wide view, and parts of the castle were used as a prison until 2010. Entry is with the nature reserve ticket. The road up from town is steep and can be walked or driven, and a visit is usually combined with the nearby Great Siege Tunnels.
Seen from town.
Bay views.
Thick stone.
Castle Road, Gibraltar
Great Siege TunnelsThe Great Siege Tunnels are a series of tunnels cut into the solid limestone at 5 minutes walk
Upper Rock and the Barbary MacaquesThe Upper Rock is the top of the Rock of Gibraltar, a long, narrow limestone pen8 minutes walk
Catalan BayCatalan Bay is a bay and fishing village on the eastern side of the Rock of Gibr12 minutes walkThe Marinids in the Middle Ages.
Yes, to its roof.