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Gorham’s Cave Complex (viewing platform)

13 John Mackintosh Square, Gibraltar,

Description

The Gorham's Cave Complex is a complex of four caves at the base of the south-eastern face of the Rock of Gibraltar that shot to fame (and the UNESCO WHS) after the discovery in 2012 or markings in rock dated as being 39,000 years old that suggest it would have been one of the last known habitations of the Neanderthals in Europe - though there are challenges regarding the findings. The other three caves are called Benett's, Vanguard and Hyaena. Since 2017, a viewing platform has been opened at 1st/2nd Europa Advance Batteries from where visitors can see the cave openings and read panels about both the complex & Neanderthals and the history of the Straits of Gibraltar. This is the scope of this review (not the tour inside the caves).

Access & Transport

The Interpretation Center is on Europa Advanced Road. There is a small parking there or you can take bus #2 and walk 10mins. It is also possible to reach by walking down the Mediterranean steps from the Upper Rock area; this requires purchase of the Nature Reserve ticket. Gibraltar has its own airport and is 20km east of Algeciras, 140km southwest of Malaga and 120km southeast of Cadiz. The public transport connectivity with Spain is poor.

Instructions & Recommendations

Talks by Museum Staff on site last 20mins and are held every half hour starting at 10:00. The last talk is at 13:30. There are also tours organized that cost GBP25 per person + GBP25 per guide (at the time of this review) but these require prior arrangement (neanderthals@gibmuseum.gi) because there is a limit on the number of annual visitors.

Meta review

Mixed review for this attraction, the main issue is to do with the very limited opening hours and the requirement to make advanced arrangement for a tour inside the caves (even though there are good reasons for these restrictions). Overall, the impression is that the talks and panels are very informative and the caves nice to look at but there is actually little to see (as opposed to reading).

Environmental & Social

Environmentally green. Helps preserve the archaeological heritage of the region and educate visitors about human evolution

Conclusion

Plenty to learn but little to see, other than the Rock of Gibraltar. Even with the guided tours, the experience is likely to be underwhelming for most, but the educational aspect will make up for it. Not a must see if pressed for time, unless you are really into human evolution.

Key positive

Informative content

Excellent view over the caves

Key negative

Time consuming to get to without a car

Not much to see

Suitability

The viewing platform is accessible for visitors with reduced mobility (but not the caves)

About this Rating

TYPE

Desktop

RESEARCHED IN

June 2024

PROVIDER

Koreval

Included Items
None
Timing
Duration of visit
Last entry at 13h30

av. transport time:0h 30m

est. visit time:0h 45m

Regulated hours

Monday10:00 - 14:00

Tuesday10:00 - 14:00

Wednesday10:00 - 14:00

Thursday10:00 - 14:00

Friday10:00 - 14:00

Saturday -

Sunday -

Pricing
Age band
Age band
Regular price / pers.
Senior
65 - 99
£5
Adult
12 - 64
£5
Child
5 - 11
£2.5
Infant
0 - 4
£0
£8.00 for joint ticket with Gibraltar Museum

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