CITY UNDER SIEGE

Welcome to Gibraltar: A City Under Siege - an exhibition housed within the historic Old Willis’s Magazine, one of the oldest surviving British military structures in Gibraltar.

Constructed during the early years of British rule, Old Willis’s Magazine formed part of the extensive military infrastructure developed to defend the fortress. Its position high on the Rock placed it at the heart of an area that would play an important role in Gibraltar’s defence, particularly during the Great Siege of 1779–1783.

Today, the City Under Siege exhibition tells the story of Gibraltar as a fortress and of the people who lived, worked and served within its defences. As you explore the site, you will encounter original military architecture, centuries-old graffiti, water storage systems and other surviving features that offer a remarkable connection to those who came before.

These historic spaces provide a window into everyday life within a fortress under siege — a place shaped by conflict, resilience, innovation and the constant need to defend the Rock.

Gibraltar: A City Under Siege is more than an exhibition. You are standing within the history itself.