What is the Charles V Wall in Gibraltar and can you walk it?

Short answer

The Charles V Wall is a 16th-century Spanish defensive wall running from the southern end of Main Street up the Rock. Visitors can climb it within the Nature Reserve, and entry is included in the Nature Reserve ticket.

Detailed answer

The wall was a response to a raid in September 1540 by Turkish corsairs under Barbarossa, during which more than 70 people were captured and taken into slavery. In 1552, under the Emperor Charles V, it was built to a design by the Italian engineer Calvi to close off the southern approach to the town.

After Charles V's death, Philip II extended the defences further from the town. That continuation begins at the Apes' Den and is known as the Philip II Wall.

The wall runs from the southern end of Main Street past Trafalgar Cemetery and up into the Nature Reserve. Visitors may climb it, but it is not suitable for people with limited mobility. Because of its heritage value, only very limited works are permitted on the structure.

In September 2023 the Government proposed restoring the last stretch of the Charles V Wall steps, to link the Devil's Gap footpath to the town centre and add the route to the Gibraltar National Trails.

Entry to the wall is included in the Nature Reserve fee (£30 for adults, £22 for children aged 5 to 11, free for under-5s). The Nature Reserve is open 09:00 to 18:15 from 1 October to 30 April and 09:30 to 19:15 from 1 May to 30 September.