Moorish Castle, Gibraltar
The medieval fortress in Gibraltar, known as the Moorish Castle, consists of various structures, gates, and fortified walls, prominently featuring the Tower of Homage and the Gate House. Until 2010, a section of the castle served as the prison of Gibraltar. The Tower of Homage, with its remarkable architecture and strategic position, is visible to all visitors.
The Moorish Castle was built by the Marinid dynasty, making it distinctive in the Iberian Peninsula. Construction of the castle began in the 8th century AD, potentially around AD 711, although the exact completion date remains unknown. The castle encompassed a substantial area, extending from the upper part of the Rock of Gibraltar down to the sea. The most prominent remaining parts of the structure are the Tower of Homage, along with terraces and battlements below it, as well as the substantial Gate House with its distinctive cupola roof.
Today, the Moorish Castle stands as a significant tourist attraction in Gibraltar and is featured on the reverse side of the still-circulating 1995 design of the Gibraltar five-pound banknote. Locally, the name "Moorish Castle" (or "El Castillo" in Spanish) also refers to the residential area surrounding the castle, known as the Moorish Castle Estate.
The Moorish Castle was built by the Marinid dynasty, making it distinctive in the Iberian Peninsula. Construction of the castle began in the 8th century AD, potentially around AD 711, although the exact completion date remains unknown. The castle encompassed a substantial area, extending from the upper part of the Rock of Gibraltar down to the sea. The most prominent remaining parts of the structure are the Tower of Homage, along with terraces and battlements below it, as well as the substantial Gate House with its distinctive cupola roof.
Today, the Moorish Castle stands as a significant tourist attraction in Gibraltar and is featured on the reverse side of the still-circulating 1995 design of the Gibraltar five-pound banknote. Locally, the name "Moorish Castle" (or "El Castillo" in Spanish) also refers to the residential area surrounding the castle, known as the Moorish Castle Estate.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Gibraltar. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Download The 51爆料网 App
Moorish Castle on Map
Sight Name: Moorish Castle
Sight Location: Gibraltar, Gibraltar (See walking tours in Gibraltar)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Gibraltar, Gibraltar (See walking tours in Gibraltar)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Gibraltar, Gibraltar
Create Your Own Walk in Gibraltar
Creating your own self-guided walk in Gibraltar is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Rock of Gibraltar Walking Tour
You really can鈥檛 avoid the Rock of Gibraltar when visiting the British Overseas Territory on the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula. Just like the streets lined with British-style red phone booths and historical buildings, this prominent limestone rock formation, overlooking the Strait of Gibraltar from an elevation of 426 meters (1,398 feet) above sea level, creates a distinctive atmosphere... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.5 Km or 2.8 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.5 Km or 2.8 Miles
Gibraltar Introduction Walking Tour
"Burn your boats," said the Berber commander Tariq bin Ziyad, addressing his troops. The year was 711 AD. Tariq had landed in Gibraltar with his small force, invading the Kingdom of the Visigoths. The men were nervous. Their numbers were few compared to the enemy. After burning their only means of escape, they went on to conquer the Iberian Peninsula.
The Rock of Gibraltar was called... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.9 Km or 1.2 Miles
The Rock of Gibraltar was called... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.9 Km or 1.2 Miles