The Fortifications of Gibraltar 1068–1945Gibraltar, located at the meeting points of Europe and Africa, preserves within its fortifications a rich testament to human conflict spanning 600 years. In 1068 the ruling Spanish Muslims built a large fort there. Between 1309 and 1374 Gibraltar underwent a period of intensive building and fortification, and following the Spanish reconquest of 1462 the inhabitants carried out further works. In 1704 the latest, uninterrupted period of British rule began. The 18th century saw three sieges including the most severe, known as the Great Siege, which lasted from 1779 to 1783. During World War II the 'Rock' served as a vital stop for supply convoys and naval staging base, complete with a veritable warren of secret tunnels. This book documents Gibraltar's rich history, and charts the development of these fascinating fortifications. |
Contents
| 4 | |
CHRONOLOGY | 9 |
ISLAMIC GIBRALTAR | 11 |
THE SPANISH DEFENCES | 17 |
THE 18THCENTURY BRITISH FORTIFICATIONS AND THE GREAT SIEGE | 23 |
GIBRALTAR AND THE BRITISH EMPIRE | 31 |
THE 20TH CENTURY AND THE TWO WORLD WARS | 45 |
AFTERMATH | 53 |
THE SITES TODAY | 54 |
| 60 | |
GLOSSARY | 61 |
| 64 | |
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Common terms and phrases
18th century 6pdr twin mounting al-Andalus Almohad artillery attack Baluarte Battery 9.2in Mk Battle of Trafalgar British built cannon Casemates castle Charles V Wall cliffs constructed counterguards Courtesy curtain wall defences of Gibraltar demi-bastion Detached Mole Devil's Gap Battery ditch dockyard embrasures emplacement enemy enfilade engineer Europa Point excavated fire Flat Bastion fortress galleries garrison gatehouse Gibraltar Museum glacis harbour HMS Victory Islamic isthmus King's Bastion land Landport later Line Wall Luis Bravo magazine medieval Mediterranean Merinids Mole Montagu Bastion mortar Muralla de San naval north face North Front northern defences Operation Pedestal Operation Torch Orange Bastion Osprey Publishing parapet photograph platform present-day Prince projectile protect Puerta ramparts retired batteries Rock Rooke Royal Royal Gibraltar Regiment ships siege of Gibraltar South Bastion South Mole Spain Spanish stone Tower of Homage tunnel upper Wellington Front Wink Text World War II www.ospreypublishing.com Yard