Chapter 51: Moorish Castle

I've had my fair share of bad luck in Gibraltar: after driving my car all the way from the UK, through Spain, to Gibraltar, I found out that I couldn't keep it here; I injured my leg shortly after arriving, and was hobbling about for weeks; the kitchen equipment in my first studio flat didn't work; most of all I've struggled to get any part-time work. So yesterday, when a trip to the Moorish Castle didn't go to plan, it was hardly a surprise.

Moorish Castle

The Moorish Castle is a historic monument and landmark in Gibraltar. Like Edinburgh Castle it dates from different periods, as parts were demolished and rebuilt. Apparently the original castle was built by the Moors in 1160 (who incidentally gave Gibraltar it's name), destroyed by the Spanish when they recaptured Gibraltar in the early 1300s, then rebuilt when the Moors re-took Gib in 1333. Without this chapter descending into a history lesson, suffice to say the castle is old! And it looks it's age, with evidence of the various sieges visible on the castle walls. Another fun fact, it was used as a prison until 2010.

Abu'l Hassan - the Moorish dude who
recaptured Gibraltar from Spain.

But back to the present, and my trip to the castle. The advertised way to get to the Moorish Castle is to use the cable car (which I went on with my Mum in Chapter 35), then walk through the nature park with the monkeys. So I set off with Diego to the cable car, however when we got there, there was nowhere to park. Doing some precision driving around the car park (because it was so narrow) we could see plenty of empty spaces, but these were all residence parking (which made up the bulk of the car park). The free parking was all full. So we had to use another car park down the road. To get to the other car park, we needed to drive back the way we had come, and turn at the Rock Hotel (a turn which involved some  manoeuvres reminiscent of my driving test), otherwise we'd have ended up back at Europa Point. When we finally got to the other car park, the pay and display ticket machine was broken, so we spent about 15 minutes trying to pay for parking, before Diego finally managed to do it online. All tolled, it would have been quicker to take the bus!

No space to park

Anyway, enough about driving in Gibraltar, but it was not a good start. It was late afternoon by this point. We could have started earlier, but the weather in the morning was a bit ropey, and by the afternoon the sun had come out and the wind died down. Checking the tourism website, it claimed the nature park opening hours were until 6.15pm. However, when we got to the cable car, the attendant told us we were too late to go to the Moorish Castle, as apparently it involves a long convoluted walk through the nature park. It seems the whole nature park experience requires the best part of a day. At £18 (a steeper price than the cable car's angle of accent), I'd expect so!

You're paying for the monkeys' room and board!

We had been looking forward to the cable car trip, and a drink in the café at the top of the rock. I was also keen to get some aerial footage of Gibraltar for my upcoming videos (plug plug)! However, the attendant told us it is possible to get to the castle via the town (by very narrow roads and streets), so that is what we did. This, however, is where what seemed like bad luck turned to good luck.

Videos are coming soon!

Outside the Moorish castle was pretty quiet, and it looked like it was almost closing. There was a small ticket office next to the entrance barrier. I went in and spoke to the attendant, who was a cheerful old Gibraltarian. I explained to him, that we had been to the cable car, and were told by staff there that we were too late to do the nature park, but that we were keen to see the Moorish Castle. I asked if we could pop in for a quick look? To my surprise he not only said yes, but very kindly let us in for free (my favourite price)!

Friendly and helpful staff at the ticket office!

As we went in, the attendant came out behind us, and said "excuse me". I thought he had changed his mind about letting us in, but he just wanted to ask where I was from. He had guessed Ireland, but when I said Scotland, he proceeded to tell me a story of a guy he knew from Glasgow, who had been in the navy, come to Gibraltar, and 40 years later he is still here. Diego later commented that it was my Scottish charm that had got us in for free. I joked "if only my Scottish charm worked with employers or women"!

Scottish Charm gets you in free!

After all the hassle of our journey there, the Moorish Castle actually turned out to be really good. I've already discussed the history of the place, and it certainly felt old, with stone walls, narrow corridors, and steel gates. However, the best thing was the view from the top of the castle. We could see over much of Gibraltar, all the way to Spain. It was certainly a great place for a fortress, you could see the enemy coming for miles (or kilometres if you want to be European about it!).

View from the top of the castle.

As we left the castle, we said cheerio to the attendant, and his co-worker. The attendant told his co-worker I was Scottish, and about the naval officer from Glasgow. I said I would advise all my Scottish friends to come to the Moorish Castle. So if you are in Gibraltar, dear reader, head up to the Moorish Castle. It's worth seeing. You can drive from town, or if you want a bit exercise, walk up. Alternatively, for the all day deluxe package, get the cable car and spend the day fending off monkeys like Sir Kingsway.

The Moorish Castle is even lit up at night.

"Who is Sir Kingsway?", I hear you ask. This was the ape that became an illegal immigrant in Spain (Chapter 49). He got to the border through the Kingsway tunnel (or so it's believed), and in a radio poll, this name was chosen. Personally I thought Harrison Ford (previously suggested) was a much better name! If you're wondering how Sir Kingsway is, he was deported back to Gibraltar, and is now trying to form an illegal immigration gang with his fellow apes!

Arise Sir Kingsway.