The Upper Rock may be the
arguable focal point of any Gibraltar holiday, but
here at Visit Gibraltar (http://www.visitgibraltar.gi),
we couldn’t fail to shed some more light on one of its most dominant features –
the Moorish Castle. People who see the medieval fortification now can’t fail to
be impressed by its various buildings, gates and fortified walls, but might not
be aware that the original castle complex was even more monumental, stretching
all the way down to Casemates Square at the north end of Main Street.
The feature that visitors
tend to see now, in the tourist brochures as well as once they arrive in this
part of the territory from their Gibraltar
accommodation, is the 11th century ‘Tower of Homage’. This part
of the complex is so clearly visible from far around for several very good
reasons – it was constructed strikingly and had an important strategic role.
Only in 2010, for example, was HM Prison of Gibraltar relocated from part of
the castle.
You might think that
Gibraltar’s present period of British rule has been long lived – having begun
in the early 18th century – but it doesn’t even compare to the 710
years for which the Moors were in control, from 711 to 1309 and then again from
1350 to 1462. It is that period of which the present Moorish Castle is a
precious remnant, having been constructed by the Marinid dynasty, which gives
it a certain uniqueness in the Iberian Peninsula.
Although it is impossible to
ignore the massive Gate House with its cupola roof, many of those taking their holidays in Gibraltar
will inevitably be drawn to the Tower of Homage, which was rebuilt during the
second, early 14th century period of Moorish occupation. That was
because, after Spain briefly reoccupied Gibraltar from 1309 to 1333, it was
nearly destroyed as the Moors reconquered the territory. There is no higher
tower of the Islamic period to be found in the Iberian Peninsula than the
current Tower of Homage, while the Qasbah of the tower is the area’s largest.
The Moorish Castle certainly
has little history if not a tumultuous one, from the continuous war between
Muslims and Christians that lasted for almost 800 years, to hundreds of people
finding safety inside it when Gibraltar was attacked by Turkish pirates in
1540. In 1704, it was where Admiral Rooke hoisted the British flag after
capturing the Rock, with rule by his compatriots remaining uninterrupted to
this day.
In most recent times, the
Moorish Castle has become a major tourist attraction, with it even featuring on
the reverse of the current £5 Gibraltar banknotes. But for so many people
booking Gibraltar hotels
after perusing the website of Visit Gibraltar (http://www.visitgibraltar.gi), the
structure just has to be experienced ‘in the flesh’ – and they’re unlikely to
be disappointed by what they find.
Editor’s
Note: Visit Gibraltar (http://www.visitgibraltar.gi) are
represented by the search engine advertising and digital marketing specialists
Jumping Spider Media. Email: info@jumpingspidermedia.co.uk or call: +44 (0)20 3070 1959
/ +34 952 783 637.
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