Hidden Gibraltar - 4: Places of Interest: Lower Rock

A Gibraltarian's Guide to Gibraltar.
- Places of Interest - Lower Rock
This page lists all the places of interests throughout the lower rock.




Alameda Botanic Gardens. (Free Admittance)
Marilyn Monroe had her mole and this is Gibraltar's true beauty spot, a lovely lush section of the lower rock which was founded back in 1816.

The Gardens fell into neglect in the 1970's and would remain neglected for nigh on two decades before the Government decided to re-dedicate it as a Botanic garden.
Today the Gardens are a wonderful example of human design working alongside Mother nature, the gardens themselves are what could only be described as a lush paradise.
Here you will find exotic and sweet scented flowers from warmer climbs all mixed and interacting in a riot of colour that has to be seen to be believed.
Whilst not on the same size as Kew Gardens in London and requiring some hill and step climbing to see it all, the Gardens are unique in splendour and tranquility. Bring a picnic and happily lose a couple of hours on a bench just relaxing whilst watching migratory birds come and go between Europe and Africa as well as rare and ordinary species of butterflies intermingling with the Cable Car which rises up overhead. There are also guided tours of the botanic gardens at certain times of the year, details of which can be found at the Alameda Gardens Website.

The Gardens also hosts a mini wildlife "park" and Open Air Theatre within its confines.

Wildlife Park
Alameda Wildlife Park to give it is correct name, is a small haven for animals seized by the Gibraltar Police and Customs. It was started in 1994 and houses a collection of parrots, land tortoises, squirrels, a pot bellied pig and other types of monkeys which were confiscated from illegal traders. Sadly, because they are confiscated animals, they cannot be returned to the wild, but the park does its best to look after the animals and use them for conservation and educational purposes.
The Wildlife park can perhaps be a major disappointment for adults but young kids will love it. Families with teenagers would perhaps consider somewhere else.
Those who are infirm or disabled should be warned that the park is set against terraces requiring a lot of steps down and up to see the animals. That said, it cost a miserly £2 per adult and £1.50 for kids. All money raised is used to care for the animals, which are housed in large wire cages and don't roam wild. Admittedly, to use the term, "Park" is stretching it a bit, the couple of terraces its set in would probably cover no more than 2 - 3 tennis courts
The highlight for me and my daughter was the Prevost Squirrels which have a "tunnel" wire cage running from one spot of the park to the other. No matter how much I tried to take a picture of them, they wouldn't sit still!
Tickets are purchased at the top (animals are housed below the ticket office) where you can also purchase ice creams and drinks. Overall, this wildlife "park" could do with the Gibraltar tourist board taking a lead in obtaining some funding to do it up a bit and publicising it better.
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Red Eared Terrapins / Praire Dog / Prevost Squirell (told you they wouldn't sit still!)








Alameda Open Air Theatre
Hosts a number of plays & dance events including Miss Gibraltar throughout the warmer months.
full details from the Alameda website. Incidentally "The Prince of Egypt" was being performed during my visit there but whether it was a play, a ballet or something else was hard to fathom. This is one of the most frustrating things about the place!. Tickets could only be purchased from a shop somewhere in Gibraltar I can't remember which shop, but there wasn't a central box office, a phone number or a website you could visit or get information about the actual event itself.
This is symptomatic throughout the Arts scene in Gibraltar.

One Hundred Ton Gun
Originally two of four 100 Ton guns built in Newcastle Upon Tyne by Sir W.C. Armstrong in 1870. The other two were sent to Malta where one is also preserved to this day. The one here was last fired as late as 2002.
Powered by Steam and Hydraulics these guns took 3 hours before the pressure was sufficient to fire them. They were capable of firing one shot every four minutes with a 35 man crew of all ranks in attendance. (Firing time was acceptable at the time because warships of that day were very slow) These guns could, at the time reach a distance of 8 miles and could fire a 2000lb shell.

Photo: not mine

Admittance is £1 Adult and £1 Children. Also included as part of the Upper Rock attractions, meaning that you can get in for free if you show your Upper rock receipt.

Gibraltar Museum
Almost hidden behind Main Street and the Bristol hotel and located in a street called Bomb House Lane, you will find the Gibraltar Museum. The site is a hotchpotch of buildings, with rooms of varying sizes, corridors and basements all branching out everywhere. But don't let that put you off! Gibraltar has a very rich, if not diverse history and the museum does its best to convey the history of the place and its people. From the early Neanderthal man (Gibraltar is thought to be the last outpost/refuge for them), right up to the present day.
If you're into knowledge and culture this is a facinating place to spend a couple of hours in, however most kids will soon get bored with the place as there isn't much for them to do here so bear that in mind if you visit.
Highlights include the original Moorish baths, which lie underneath the museum itself, the 15 minute film of Gibraltar and its history, the two egyptian mummies, plus some facinating insights/exhibits on Neanderthal man.
Overall the museum is well worth its admittance fee of £2.00 Adults and £1.00 Children. I would also recommend the museum's website too.

Gibraltar Crystal (Free Admittance)
Situated on Casemates, This is a commercial outlet selling beautiful hand made glass items of intricate and ornate craftsmanship
However It is more than just a shop because it is split into two, with the left side of the premises being a museum and workshop. Here you can find the actual glass smith and apprentices craft the glass into lovely sculptures and glasses.
On the day we went, we found the glass smith (1st photo below) working on a beautiful glass paper weight . He explained that a very rare back-wind had blown down the chimmney and into the furnace blowing molten shards of glass onto his arm just as he was taking the paperweight out. (I think he said the furnace is at 1000 degrees Celcius). I guess his arms were used to the heat, as he just brushed off the rapidly cooling molten glass before our eyes with as much discomfort as a person brushing off a spec of dirt. He went on to explain how the glass paper weight involves many stages of production, with the inner decoration being crafted first, fired, and then enveloped inside an overall glass sphere which would now sit in the oven at 500 degrees Celsius for two days to avoid cracking. The workshop itself has some exhibits on all aspects of glass blowing/making, but there is nothing more interesting as watching the process right before your very eyes.
The right side of the premises has a well lit, shop with rows and rows of shelves displaying items from as little as £8 right in to the hundreds and they even claim they can make wine glasses to your own individual design.Website
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Dolphin Spotting
If you have never been Dolphin Spotting, then, go. It doesn't matter how much it costs, it is an experience that will stay with you forever.
Its well worth the money.
Note, that you need to book in advance to take this trip.
Usually you can enquire on the morning of the day you wish to set off and a time of availability will be given when you can come back to board the boat.
There are currently three operators of Dolphin spotting boats in Gibraltar. They are:

• Dolphin Adventure - Website.
  
• Dolphin Safari - Website.
  
• Dolphin World - Website.

Prices vary from between £20 to £25 for Adults and £10 - £12 for Children. Trip last around 1 hour 30 mins.


We booked with Dolphin Adventure who have a bright yellow catamaran (I'm told it wobbles less on the sea). We arrived at their offices around 11am consulted with them and was informed to come back at 2:00pm. Because there were about 8 of us they kindly gave us a slight discount. I am sure the others do too. After a small wait at the marina (for the other passengers) we eventually set off. The staff were very welcoming and friendly making us feel at ease. Now, I suffer from sea sickness even in still waters when the boat is stationary, however throughout the trip the boat was in constant movement, even if slow, and I didn't even get a tinge of sea-sickness.
After 10 minutes or so out, navigating past the big cargo and passenger ships in the Bay of Gibraltar, we got to the area where the dolphins can be found. Normally you only get to see the common dolphin but a bluenose dolphin came to Gibraltar as a calf and stayed. Additionally depending on the time of year you can also see whales as well.
Please bear in mind that dolphin spotting cannot be guaranteed, but the success rate is around 95% or so.
Eventually we saw the dolphins, including the bluenose and followed them for a while around the bay of Gibraltar, it appears there was a female and the males were being a bit "friendly". (As you can see from the movie above). All in all, It was absolutely fantastic and an experience to cherish which you and your kids (if you have any) will never forget,
- Thanks to everyone at Dolphin Adventure.