Architectural lighting has been installed along the walls of Gibraltar’s Moorish Castle as part of ongoing works to the territory’s northern fortifications. The illumination is part of a broader programme centred on the Moorish Castle and the Northern Defences, which also includes the recent opening of the restored Tower of Homage and the “Dungeon Experience”. The Tower of Homage opened to the public on 14 September as the first attraction delivered under the Gibraltar Government’s history vision. The programme aims to bring together Gibraltar’s Moorish, Spanish and British heritage through key sites. The new lighting system was designed to highlight the form, texture and scale of the castle walls after dark without adding intrusive elements to the historic fabric. It can also be adapted for commemorative and community events. During the National Day celebrations, the castle was illuminated in Gibraltar’s red and white colours, and it has since been lit in other colours to support various events and charities. The Ministry for Heritage said the lighting was intended to strengthen the visual connection between the Moorish Castle, the Northern Defences and Landport. Minister for Heritage Dr John Cortes said: “The Moorish Castle and Northern Defences are among Gibraltar’s most important heritage assets, and it is tremendously exciting to see this historic landscape progressively being revealed and given new life.” He added, “The illumination of the Castle walls allows one of our most recognisable monuments to take its rightful place in Gibraltar’s skyline after dark, while the work taking place beyond it in the Northern Defences is opening up an extraordinary part of our history.” Cortes concluded, “This is about conservation, but it is equally about education, research, accessibility and enjoyment. By bringing these sites together, we are creating something of which residents can be proud and which will offer visitors a much deeper understanding of Gibraltar and the many centuries of history contained within our fortifications.”
Article source: Gibraltar Chronicle | Image credit: Gibraltar Chronicle