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Casemates Square
When a visitor decides to go to Gibraltar, one important thing that he or
she needs to do is to remember the more important places in the town so
that in the event that he or she gets lost, these places can be considered
as possible search points. By far, the two significant places where a
Gibraltar visitor can always go to in case he or she loses his or her way
are Main Street and Casemates Square. These two particular areas run
parallel to each other and are noted for being regularly populated by
masses of people at any given time.
Main Street is considered as the most famous street in Gibraltar. It is
here where many local residents, and quite obviously, foreign tourists, do
their shopping. Practically everything that one will ever need, from
shirts to pants, bags and shoes, food and drinks, and a whole lot more can
be purchased here.
Casemates Square, on the other hand, is considered as the main plaza of
Gibraltar. A great number of restaurants and pubs are known to operate
here, majority of which have an open-air setting. For the Gibraltar guest
who needs to satisfy the pangs of hunger, Casemates Square is the one
place that is certain to provide the perfect answer.
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Of course, if one ever gets lost in Gibraltar, there are lots of other
places that one can always go to where friends and loved ones can be
met. The many historic landmarks in Gibraltar are perfect meeting
spots.
However, for purposes of personal safety, staying in a public place
like Main Street and Casemates Square is definitely more preferable,
especially for a first-time visitor, since the area will not
necessarily attract the attention of people having shady backgrounds
basically because large crowds always gather here.
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This does not mean, however, that Gibraltar can possibly be a
dangerous place. On the contrary, the city is quite safe, with almost
zero percent crime rate. Visitors need not worry therefore about the
possibility of being mugged or getting robbed, most especially in
places where lots of people gather together during daytime.
Casemates Square
Considered by Gibraltarians as its central plaza, Casemates Square is
situated just a few blocks away from the Gibraltar wall entrance. Thus, it
has come to be considered as the principal entry way to Gibraltar,
although obviously overshadowed by the more prominent Main Street.
Nevertheless, one has to pass by the Square first before one can reach
Main Street.
Casemates Square is also called the hub or central life of Gibraltar town.
This is because it is in the Square where life can be enjoyed to its
fullest. At night, the place is the ideal hang out site, where one can
have a drink or two while enjoying live music being performed by resident
bands.
When the sun is up, most business establishments located in Casemates
Square function as cafes and restaurants, which are equally visited by a
great number of people. That is why Casemates Square never runs out of
guests because there will always be promenaders during the day time who
will naturally want to get something to eat, for which the restaurants at
Casemates are the ideal places to go to. And when the sun sets, Casemates
Square transforms itself into a virtual party place where nightlife lovers
can have a grand time wining and dancing, or even simply listening to live
music.
However, unlike other bars in nearby places, notably the Torremolinos and
Marbella bars of Costa del Sol, those found at Casemates Square are more
cosmopolitan in nature and thus, a little more reserved. Seldom will one
get to see British drinkers having too much to drink and consequently
getting to be too loud and causing trouble in the area, just like those
described in the movie ‘Sexy Beast’ .
Beer, of course, is the all-time favorite of the bar-hoppers at Casemates
Square. There is, however, another drink that is fast becoming a favorite
as well among the wine drinkers at Casemates. The drink is called tinto
verano, a red wine said to be filled with various fruits.
A Square History
Not too many people may know about this, but Casemates Square was actually
a former beach. This was the area where Muslim engineers landed sometime
in 1160 with the express objective of laying down the foundations for a
new city that was to be more commonly called as the City of Victory. The
instructions were made by Morocco Sultan Abd-al-Mummin ostensibly in
preparation for his plans to take hold of Gibraltar, then a place that was
still largely unsettled.
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The planned city covered only a small area, basically running from
Moorish Castle and ending on the land situated below it. Nevertheless,
it was enough land and when the Muslims eventually settled into
Gibraltar, they would often bring in their ancient ships into the
former beach for repairs.
When the Spaniards gained control of Gibraltar sometime in 1309,
Casemates Square became part of an old Spanish town known as Villa
vieja, a walled city complete with towers and gates. Consequently, it
took a life of its own and was named Casemates which literally means
‘a vaulted chamber in the thickness of the ramparts of a fortress’. |
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It was also around this time that Ferdinand IV issued an order about a
shipyard being put up on the Square so that Spanish ships can have a place
to dock at and undergo repairs. With this order, the walls that were put
up on the Square were fitted with a huge gate through which the Spanish
ships could come in.
Eventually, though, the shipyard fell into disuse largely because it fell
back to soft ground, which is sand, upon which it was originally built.
Additionally, the waters from the nearby bay would regularly sip through
the Square walls. When the 1570 Old Mole building was consequently
constructed, the area became terribly silted, finally leading to the
shipyard being completely discarded.
When the British took over Gibraltar after defeating the Spaniards,
Casemates Square saw several military barracks being built along its main
routes. These fortresses served as the primary defenses of the British
against future invaders and became most especially useful during the
infamous Great Siege. One particular structure though was built only after
the said siege primarily to serve as a special bomb-proof barracks for
British soldiers. Originally, the structure was to be used at the height
of the siege but construction work on the barracks was finished only in
1817, long after the siege was over. In any case, the landmark eventually
became known as Casemates building with William Green, then chief
engineer, being credited for preparing the blueprint which he finished as
early as 1770.
The Great Siege proved to be devastating, however, for Casemates Square
because many of the military barracks put up by the British suffered
total, if not immense, damage. The UK government then came to a decision
to raze all the buildings at Casemates to the ground, with a few
exceptions, and build an open plaza. Thus was born Casemates Square where
residents came to have moments of fun and relaxation.
However, soon after, the Square became notorious for being the venue where
known enemies of the state were either flogged or hanged while large
crowds quietly watch by. The practice was eventually stopped by the UK
government, allowing Casemates Square to become what it was originally set
out to become — a public place where Gibraltarians can congregate and have
fun and exciting times.
Present-Day Casemates
Nowadays, life at Casemates Square never seems to stop. Nightlife, most
especially, can be quite animated, with most bars offering non-stop drinks
and regular live performances.
Daytime is just as equally exciting, with large crowds visiting the many
shops and restaurants located all across the Square. Worthy of special
mention are the al fresco offerings that are most preferably taken during
the hot summer months.
Aside from the main plaza, which houses many of the known bars, one can
also try visiting a small street running parallel to Casemates Square.
Known as Irish Town, this particular street hosts several shops that exude
a subtler ambiance and a few very excellent bars. Petrol is likewise
available here and considerably a lot cheaper when compared to UK prices.
Additionally, there are several garages so parking will not really be a
huge problem.
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Casemates Bars and Restaurants
Casemates Square is most definitely a place that one should
go to if on the hunt for some great restaurants and classy bars. Usually,
these establishments have accompanying live music to set the mood of its
guests. This comes especially true during the night when people looking
for some real clean fun would come to Casemates and start grooving to the
beat of the live bands doing their regular performances. The ideal time to
visit Casemates Square at night should probably be from 11PM onwards,
preferably Fridays. Additionally, some bars hold summer nights scheduled
at 7PM every Tuesdays and Thursdays. |
Of course, if one really wants to have the best night life experience
in Gibraltar, then one has to know exactly where to go in Casemates
Square. While the bars may not really be standing so far apart from
one another and more or less offer the same basic things, still, it is
important that one be a little discriminating in choosing which bar or
restaurant to settle in.
Lord Nelson
Acknowledged as one really popular bar in Casemates Square, Lord Nelson
was named obviously in honor of Admiral Nelson, the most famous military
figure in Great Britain, who has always had strong links with Gibraltar.
Lord Nelson the bar, however, is more than just about historical links. It
is actually a bar down at Casemates Square that prides itself in serving
beer that is accompanied by food.
The menu at Lord Nelson is quite extensive, ranging from some really fine
steaks to freshly-caught fishes, all carefully and meticulously prepared.
Complimenting these are the various beer brands designed to satisfy every
known beer drinker all across the world. A total of six kinds of beers are
actually available at Lord Nelson, and these are usually served in regular
English pints. Additionally, tons of bottled beer are also being served,
all of them imported courtesy of local distributor Anglo Hispano.
If music is what one is after, then Lord Nelson has that covered as well.
Enjoy the live bands regularly performing at the bar while a cool bottled
beer is in hand. One resident band that specializes in classic rock is
known to keep guests swaying until the wee hours of the morning.
Other Casemates Square-based bars that come highly recommended are the
Clipper, the Horseshoe Bar, and the Star Bar. The latter should be worth
checking out because aside from holding the distinction of being the
oldest Gibraltar bar, Star Bar also happens to be a fine restaurant during
its daytime operations, serving complete English breakfasts, complimented
by plates of rashers, eggs, sausages, mushrooms, beans, and tomatoes.
The Marina Inn
Situated on reclaimed land and standing just past Gibraltar airport and
just before Casemates Square, the Marina Inn is a seafood restaurant whose
menus carry obvious influences from major Spanish cuisines. A favorite
among the regulars here is the raciones, a viand that is slightly bigger
than the tapa. Customers who order the raciones are supposed to share the
food with each other.
Other mouth-watering cuisines being offered at the Marina Inn include the
puntillitas, baby squids that have been delicately fried; boquerones,
anchovies that are lightly battered, then after which are deeply fried;
gambas pil-pil, prawns sprinkled with spices; and the montaditos, small
sandwiches consisting of either grilled veal or grilled pork.
There are several other restaurants that are worth visiting in Casemates
Square, each one of them carrying a distinctive trademark. Cafe Solo, for
instance, is known to serve the popular English roast, accompanied by a
side dish of Yorkshire pudding. Sacarello’s and Angry Friar, meanwhile,
are both known to make excellent English breakfasts.
Other Things to See at the Square
Before one gets the idea that Casemates Square is all about restaurants,
bars, shops, and a very colorful nightlife, one should take note that the
place also happens to play host to several important Gibraltar events,
chief of which is the Ceremony of the Keys, a ceremony re-enacting the
locking of the gates that lead to the old Gibraltar garrisons.
South of Casemates, one can also get to see the statue of a Gibraltar army
soldier dressed in battle dress. The monument honors all Gibraltar
soldiers, including those in the Volunteer Corps, who defended Gibraltar
during the Second World War. Gibraltar Chief Minister Peter Caruana
unveiled the statue last July 4, 1998.
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