Moorish Castle

The Moorish Castle
Part of Fortifications of Gibraltar
Extends from the Gibraltar Nature Reserve to Grand Casemates Square in Gibraltar
The Moorish Castle's Tower of Homage in Gibraltar flying the Union flag.
The Moorish Castle's Tower of Homage in Gibraltar flying the Union flag.
Map of the Moorish Castle.
  1. Inner and outer keep
  2. Qasbah
  3. Villa Vieja
  4. Port (Barcina)
  1. Tower of Homage
  2. Flanking Wall
  3. Gate of Granada
  4. Gatehouse
  5. Tower
  6. Giralda Tower (North Bastion)
  7. Landport
  8. Sea Gate (Grand Casemates Gates)
  9. Barcina Gate
  10. Galley House
The Moorish Castle is located in Gibraltar
The Moorish Castle
The Moorish Castle
Coordinates36°08′38″N 5°20′59″W / 36.143882°N 5.349857°W / 36.143882; -5.349857
TypeCastle
HeightApprox. 100 metres (330 ft)
Site information
OwnerGovernment of Gibraltar
Controlled byMoors: 711–1309
Castilians: 1309—1333
Moors: 1333–1462
Castilians: 1462–1704
Habsburgs: 1704–1713
British: 1713–present
Open to
the public
Yes
ConditionPartially ruined
Site history
Builtc. 711
In usec. 711–1945

The Moorish Castle is the name given to a medieval fortification in Gibraltar comprising various buildings, gates, and fortified walls, with the dominant features being the Tower of Homage and the Gate House. Part of the castle itself also housed the prison of Gibraltar until it was relocated in 2010.[1] The Tower of Homage is clearly visible to all visitors to Gibraltar; not only because of its striking construction, but also because of its dominant and strategic position. Although sometimes compared to the nearby alcazars in Spain, the Moorish Castle in Gibraltar was constructed by the Marinid dynasty, making it unique in the Iberian Peninsula.[2]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference Chronice 2010 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ "The Heritage of Gibralter: A Reply". CAM Bulletins. Commonwealth Association of Museums. May 1998. Archived from the original on 4 March 2012. Retrieved 10 September 2012.