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Free booking and cancellationFree payment tour, no set price, booking and cancellation are free
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Accepts electronic paymentThis tour allows payment by electronic means or credit card
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Although only a recently qualified guide I love people and have had a lot of experience dealing with customers in our family coffee shop restaurant Sacarellos in Irish Town. Here I liked recounting the many stories of one of Gibraltar's historic businesses now 135 years old as well Irish Town's fascinating history as the old commercial street of Gibraltar. My interests include Latin America, Art, travel, sport. As a well known person locally I was interviewed on my tour on Gibraltar radio.
My ‘Old Town’ Gibraltar Tour gives you a fascinating insight into the history of the place and its people through a look at its unique architecture. The public buildings and Churches also tell their story.
As an ex-owner of one of Gibraltar’s historical businesses the ‘Sacarellos of Irish Town’ coffee merchants and owners of a popular coffee shop restaurant, I can tell many amusing stories of the struggles and successes of a business 135 years old Very much the history of business in Gibraltar.
The tour round 1 and a half hours long features-
I love Gibraltar and can’t wait to share it with you!
I will be outside Burger King Casemates wearing a Licensed Guide badge.
Gibraltar’s main square it acts as a gateway into the city centre. Originally a Casement ,bomb proof Barracks and Square created in 1817 now once refurbished it is the San Marcos of Gibraltar with its hub of restaurant,pubs and cafes.
Main St or Calle Real under Sparish rule. The heart of Gibraltar,s fine shops, Jewellery, perfumery, watches, Indian bazaars, a bewilderment of choice and temptation, amidst fine houses with their unique Gibraltar style.
Called ‘Calle de Santa Ana’ under Spanish rule. Renamed Irish Town circa 1760 as it was where the lesser ranks who happened to be Irish were billeted. Where Gibraltar’s purest form of architecture can be found.A mixture of English and Northern Italian styles There was a boom after the’Great Siege’ 1793 when exported goods came from the street’s warehouses or Merchant Houses. The model street of Gibraltar now with its restored buildings, and the great buzz from its cafes,restaurants,pubs and art shops.
Typical 'Merchant House' built by Giovanni Boschetti who is credited with creating Gibraltar's unique architectural style. Features, the warehouse,the underground tank for water storage. The hand pump in the patio along an original first floor winch. Purchased by Bartholomew Sacarello 1906 the warehouse became the packaging area for the firm's coffee business for most of the 20th Century. In its heyday 30 tons of coffee were sold. Presently an iconic coffee shop/restaurant still selling the firm's coffees
Over 150 years old. Used to sell Spanish stamps in pesetas. When the Colonial Authorities took over Gibraltar stamps were issued but initially sold in pesetas the local currency at the time. Letters had to be collected. In charge of the British Moroccan Post Office for over 50 years.
The Royal Gibraltar Police force is the oldest in the Commonwealth outside the United Kingdom. Built in the 1850's in a neo Gothic style using red brick fashionable at the time with Maltese limestone. It was the main Police Station and Commissioner's residence until recently. Notorious for its cells where not only unruly people were held but also persons suspicious of drink who were held overnight after being certified drunk by a doctor. A famous English writer spent the night in the cells.
The City Hall was initially the finest residence in Gibraltar. Built by a friend of Lord Nelson. Pablo Larios transformed it Seat of City Council in 1924 Presently the Mayor's Office with the National Gallery. Parliament originally 'Exchange and Commercial Library' Became a meeting place for Merchants. Became the House of Assembly under the 1969 Constitution.
Place of worship for mainly Catholic Gibraltarians. Originally a mosque,rebuilt by the Spanish into a Catholic church. Largely reshaped by the British to widen the street. Memorial to first Polish prime minister General Sikorsky whose plane crashed on take off during World War 11. Beautiful courtyard, with a chapel to our Lady Of Lourdes. Plaque of Spanish Coat of Arms when the city was ceded to the Spanish Crown. Find out about the 'Murder that took place in the Cathedral'.
A Museum of 'history,culture and natural history'. 14th Century Moorish baths contemporary to the castle. The museum is the main interpretative hub for 'The Gorham's Cave Complex'- A Unesco Heritage Site. The cave is a Neanderthal site., of significance in understanding human evolution.
Most famous case heard here that of the 'Mary Celeste' the sailing ship found in good trim without any sailors. Gibraltar has been a for a long time a place for easily and quickly arranged weddings. John Lennon and Yoko Ono being the most famous to do so here.
Originally a convent of Franciscan friars since 1528. Residence of the Governors since 1711. Major works done in 1860's . Red brick used imitating the Police Station style. Facade, new platform above portico. New gate a statement on Britain's power. Platform for Governor to see in the New Year, or proclaiming major events ie a new Monarch.
Free tours do not have a set price, instead, each person gives the guru at the end of the tour the amount that he or she considers appropriate (these usually range from €10 to $50 depending on satisfaction with the tour).