World War II Tunnels

Four different companies specialising in tunneling from the Royal Engineers and the Canadian Army were hired for the incredible task that lay ahead. They would have to contend with serious dirt and dust from their excavations, working at times for months on end, often not seeing the light of day for very long periods at a time. Not only this, but during the war, Gibraltar’s water supply was heavily restricted, limiting the workers opportunity to wash off the heavy dirt and grime.

A pair of tunnels, the Great North Road and Fosse Way, were burrowed out, running almost the entire length of the Rock. These two main tunnels would interconnect with all the rest of the tunnels, allowing soldiers to move about freely within the Rock, in all directions, without been seeing from the enemy outside.

It’s interesting to note that most of the debris extracted from the tunnels was put into use by extending the airfield runway out into Gibraltar Bay. This actually played a significant role during the Allied invasion of North Africa in 1942, as the extended runway could now cater for larger aircraft, required for such an operation.

The intricate tunnel system connected the new Main Base Area established in the south eastern part of Gibraltar, protected behind the Rock from the potentially hostile Spanish mainland, with established military bases on the west side of the Rock. In fact, by the end, whether it be St Michael’s Cave (being used at the time as a backup hospital) or the Great Siege Tunnels on the Rock’s northern face, almost all parts of the Rock were accessible one way or another via this incredible underground city.

Interesting Fact

The World War II Tunnels are also home to one of Gibraltar’s most secret places. So secret, that it was not rediscovered until as recently as 1997. Built for Operation Tracer, there lies within the tunnels a Stay Behind Cave, where six men would remain behind hidden within the Rock if it had fallen to Germany. Their mission would be to report movements of enemy vessels back to the United Kingdom.

Besides the astronomical length of the new tunnel system, enormous bunker facilities had to be large enough to house a power generating station, a hospital ward, a water desalination plant, a telephone exchange, frozen food storage, a bakery, ammunition magazines, toilets and showers, a workshop to repair damaged vehicles and passageways, not to mention accommodation facilities sufficient to cater for 16,000 soldiers for the duration of up to 16 months if under siege! Wow!

The Tunnels: Gibraltar’s WWII Experience

A Fortress Beneath the Rock

Hidden deep inside the limestone heart of Gibraltar lies a remarkable world carved by courage and necessity. The Tunnels: Gibraltar’s WWII Experience takes you through this secret underground fortress — a place where engineers, soldiers, and civilians worked together to defend one of the most strategic outposts of the war. Step inside the echoing passages and discover the stories that helped shape Gibraltar’s history.

When World War II reached Europe’s doorstep, Gibraltar transformed from a quiet garrison into a fortress of global importance. Beneath its rugged cliffs, thousands of men toiled day and night, creating a hidden city capable of sheltering and sustaining a full military garrison through siege or attack. These tunnels stored ammunition and food, maintained vital equipment, and served as lookout posts keeping watch across the Strait and beyond to neutral Spain. What remains today is a lasting monument to Gibraltar’s resilience, ingenuity, and unbreakable spirit.

The Entrance and Hay’s Level

Your journey begins at Hay’s Level, marked by a powerful mural that honours Gibraltar’s role in the war. The artwork celebrates both the Rock’s natural strength and the courage of those who served within it.

The level is named after Lieutenant Colonel Robert Alistair Hay, Commander of the Royal Engineers between 1940 and 1944. Under his direction, Gibraltar’s defences were transformed. He oversaw the expansion of the tunnels and the reinforcement of the Rock’s fortifications, turning Gibraltar into one of the most secure positions in the world.

Before 1940, only a small number of Royal Engineers and civilian workers handled the tunnelling. But with the arrival of Colonel C.E. Fordham and his specialised companies, everything changed. By the end of that year, nearly 900 men were working underground. In 1941, Canadian Royal Engineers joined the project, bringing advanced machinery and new techniques that drastically increased progress. Every metre of tunnel was planned for both strength and survival — with blast traps and pockets built at the entrances to deflect explosions and protect those inside.

One of the highlights of the experience is Spitfire Hall, an immense chamber that once hummed with wartime activity.

Spitfire Hall

One of the highlights of the experience is Spitfire Hall, an immense chamber that once hummed with wartime activity. During WWII it served as a Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers workshop and a Royal Army Ordnance Corps depot — the beating heart that kept Gibraltar’s vehicles and weapons in working order.

Today, the hall has been beautifully restored and now doubles as an atmospheric events venue. At its centre stands a full-scale replica of Spitfire P8394 “Gibraltar”, funded in 1940 through public donations amounting to more than £5,000 — a symbol of the community’s unity and pride.

The Supermarine Spitfire itself, first taking flight in 1938, became a legend of the skies thanks to its sleek design and mighty Rolls-Royce Merlin engine. Gibraltar’s location made it an essential base for Spitfire missions, including those supporting Operation Torch in North Africa. From here, Allied pilots secured air superiority and disrupted Axis supply lines across the Mediterranean.

The Tunneller’s Rest

After exploring, visitors can pause at The Tunneller’s Rest, a bar styled after a 1940s officers’ mess. With vintage décor and an authentic wartime ambience, it’s the perfect spot to unwind and reflect on the people who once called these caverns home.

Strategy Rooms and the WWII Timeline

The exhibition also guides visitors through the political and military backdrop of the war. Beginning with the 1919 Treaty of Versailles — whose harsh terms set the stage for conflict — the timeline traces the rise of fascism and Gibraltar’s critical role once war erupted.

Gin Distillery And Tasting Tours

TASTING TOUR!

Hotu Perfumes & Cosmetics

PERFUMES

Need A Break From Work?

BEST PIZZA

Sitting at the crossroads of the Atlantic and Mediterranean, Gibraltar became a lifeline for the Allied forces. Inside the tunnels, hospitals, stores, and command posts operated day and night. Supplies, fuel, ammunition, and food passed through this gateway to sustain operations in North Africa, the Middle East, and beyond. The Rock wasn’t just a fortress — it was the hinge on which the war in the Mediterranean turned.

The Evacuation of Gibraltar’s Civilians

To allow the military full control and ensure the safety of its people, Gibraltar’s civilian population was evacuated to destinations as far-flung as the UK, Madeira, Jamaica, Northern Ireland, and Morocco. Life in exile was often difficult, marked by crowded lodgings and uncertainty, yet the community’s endurance became part of the Rock’s wartime legend. Repatriation began in 1944, though it wasn’t until 1951 that the last evacuees returned home.

Espionage and Secrets Beneath the Rock

During the war, Gibraltar was more than a military base — it was a nerve centre of intelligence and espionage. Double agents like the mysterious Queen of Hearts helped uncover Axis sabotage attempts both underwater and on land, while operatives such as David Scherr worked tirelessly to protect the base from infiltration.

Among the most fascinating stories revealed inside the tunnels is Operation Tracer — a secret plan to seal six men inside a hidden chamber within the Rock should Gibraltar fall to enemy hands. Their mission: observe enemy movements and relay intelligence, possibly for years, without ever leaving. Though the plan was never put into action, the concealed observation post was rediscovered in 1997, complete with radio equipment and living quarters, frozen in time.

The Sapper’s Suite pays tribute to the Royal Engineers — or Sappers

The Sapper’s Suite

The Sapper’s Suite pays tribute to the Royal Engineers — or “Sappers” — whose skill and endurance shaped Gibraltar’s underground defences. With the help of Canadian tunnelling units and civilian experts, they worked tirelessly in extreme conditions, carving more than 45 kilometres of tunnels through solid rock. The limestone they removed even extended Gibraltar’s airport runway by 80 percent, proving that nothing went to waste.

An original BSA M20 motorcycle displayed in this area stands as a reminder of the mobility and engineering precision that defined the wartime effort.

The Gunners Gallery

In the Gunners Gallery, restored weapons, uniforms, medals, and personal artefacts bring Gibraltar’s wartime defence to life. The exhibition honours the Gibraltar Defence Force, whose vigilance and skill protected the Rock throughout the conflict. An adjacent cinema room screens restored footage and oral histories, ensuring that these memories endure.

Victory Walk

The final section, Victory Walk, celebrates the Allied triumph in Europe on 8 May 1945. Lined with original photographs and audio recordings from VE Day, it invites visitors to share in the relief and joy that swept through Gibraltar and the world when peace finally returned.

From engineering marvels to tales of bravery and resilience, The Tunnels: Gibraltar’s WWII Experience offers more than a glimpse into the past — it’s a journey into the spirit that defined Gibraltar itself. Beneath the Rock lies a living monument to endurance, ingenuity, and the unbreakable will of those who stood guard over the gateway to the Mediterranean.