To go into the WWII tunnels we needed to don lovely hard hats as well as our masks so looked fab! 

  

During WWII the civilian population of Gibraltar was evacuated to the UK, with more of Europe falling under German domination and Italy joining the war, Gibraltar became of increasing strategic importance and numerous new tunnels were built to accommodate the increased numbers of troops, ammunition, equipment and food stores should Gibraltar come under siege again or be attacked from land or sea. The tunnels accommodated what amounted to an underground city where the entire 16,000 strong garrison could be housed along with enough food to last them 16months, there was also a power generating station, water distillation plant, telephone exchange, hospital, vehicle maintenance workshop! the full length of the WWII tunnels is 34miles (55km). The rock excavated when the tunnels were built was used to make the airport runway.  A small portion is open to the public and we spent a leisurely time touring them, you can listen to tour guide information on a device as you walk around although you have to ask for it as they don’t seem to offer them out when you get there🙄. We went back and asked for one when we noticed signs with 🎧 and numbers as we went round!!! 

 

      

  

Not far from the WW11 tunnels is the Moorish castles a medieval fortification built by the Moors, the build was started in the 8th Century and was a lot bigger than the portion that remains today, the ruined tower was rebuilt in by the Moors in 1333 when they recaptured the rock and has since withstood 10 sieges! from the top you can see some of the old structure hidden among more recent buildings.