Casemates Square is the heart of Gibraltar’s social scene. Shade yourself from the hot summer sun and put your feet up and relax at one of the restaurants and cafés which overlook the square. The square is a great spot to people-watch and, come nightfall, to enjoy a few drinks and a leisurely meal.
As well as being a great place to unwind and socialize, Casemates Square also has a long and fascinating history. Enter the square from the top of Main Street and look around you. Above the shops and restaurants are remnants from older eras. The square was once used by the Merinid Emir Adu’l Hassan as a galley house for military activities and the defense of the Rock but, years later after the Spaniards took control once again, it transformed into a residential district called La Barcina. Single-story houses with flat roofs became the norm and people raised livestock and fished in the deep harbor.
When English naval officer George Rooke captured Gibraltar in 1704, he converted Casemates once again. The great galley house walls sheltered the army’s ammunition and withstood the siege of 1727 when most of the houses of La Barcina were destroyed. However, Casemates continued to be a military stronghold through to the 19th century when barracks were built to the north of the square and it became a training and parade ground for troops. Stand in the middle of the square and imagine the soldiers marching passionately through the plaza.
While little remains of the old structures, Casemates Square holds an important place in Gibraltar’s history books. Where it was once a military place and then a residential neighborhood, and where locals once farmed and fished, today it is the center of entertainment. Watch evening concerts, enjoy lively parades and festivals, dine on fresh fish in the restaurants or simply take a seat and watch the world go by.
Casemates Square is located in the middle of Gibraltar’s town center and easily accessed on foot. Restaurants, bars and cafés here stay open late during the summer months. Join the locals as they emerge after the sun has set to enjoy the cooler evening weather.
