Harding's Battery today Europa has been the site of Spanish and Moorish fortifications as well as those constructed by the British which added to the cliffs which were part of Gibraltar's natural defences. Additions included walls, the scarping of the rocks to remove foot and handholds and a large number of batteries supported by a local barracks. Today,
Harding's Battery is central to the land at the end of the point. Built in the 19th century, this battery shows the scale of guns that could fire 800 pound projectiles over a foot in diameter over to the other side of the
Straits of Gibraltar. The
Europa Sunken Magazine that contained this ammunition is now a visitor centre.
Lighthouse The Europa Point Lighthouse was built by
Governor Sir Alexander Woodford between 1838 and 1841. It was fully automated in February 1994 and its loom can be seen over a distance of . It is the southernmost lighthouse for which
Trinity House is responsible, and the only one outside the
British Isles.
Gibraltarians refer to it as "
la farola" when conversing in
Llanito. The Gibraltar Amateur Radio operators transmit from the area of the lighthouse.
Ibrahim-al-Ibrahim Mosque The
mosque, also known as the
King Fahd bin Abdulaziz al-Saud Mosque or the
Mosque of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, was a gift from
King Fahd of
Saudi Arabia and took two years to build at a cost of around
£5 million. It was officially inaugurated on 8 August 1997. The mosque complex also contains a
school,
library, and
lecture hall. It is the only purpose-built mosque in Gibraltar to serve the
Muslims in the territory who number over 1,000.
Shrine of Our Lady of Europe On 20 August 1462, on
St. Bernard of Clairvaux's feastday, the Spaniards under Don
Rodrigo Ponce de León, recaptured Gibraltar from the
Moors. They found a little mosque at Europa Point and converted it into a Christian shrine in honour of Our Lady as Patroness of Europe, with devout intention of consecrating to God, through Mary, the whole continent, from a place of prayer and worship at its southernmost point. They built a large
chapel at right angles to the mosque's east wall and the whole area became the Shrine of Our Lady of Europe. A statue of the Virgin and Child was installed in this shrine. The statue was quite small, only in height, carved in wood and polychromed in royal red, blue and gold. The Virgin was seated in a simple chair, with the Child Jesus on her lap. Both were crowned and the Virgin held in her right hand a
sceptre with three flowers denoting Love, Truth and Justice. The shrine prospered in fame and popularity, for well over two centuries. Ships passing through the Strait saluted Our Lady as they passed Europa Point and mariners often came ashore with gifts to the shrine. Provisions were made by them for a constant supply of oil so that a light could be kept burning not only in front of the image but also in the tower. In 1979
Pope John Paul II officially approved the title of Our Lady of Europe as Patroness of Gibraltar, and subsequently, the shrine was restored.
Nun's Well Nun's Well is an old underground water store opposite the end of the
Keightley Way Tunnel. The water was used in the nineteenth century to make beer. In 1988 the buildings were repaired in order that it could be used by visitors to Gibraltar. == Gallery ==