The exhibition is housed in a collection of buildings, built by the British, which date back to the beginning of the 18th century. The exhibition graphically depicts the extreme harshness of the conditions under which both civilians and military personnel barely survived the long four years of the Great Siege (1779- 1783). Graffiti of the time is still clearly visible on many of the walls.

The City Under Siege exhibition is housed in a collection of buildings, built by the British, which date back to the beginning of the 18th century. The exhibition graphically depicts the extreme harshness of the conditions under which both civilians and military personnel barely survived the long four years of The Great Siege (1779- 1783)

Whilst it is true that during the early part of the British occupation most of the population were members of the Armed Forces, and in particular the Army, the civilian population also contributed to the war effort and played an important role in the life of the garrison.

The buildings in which this exhibition is housed are probably one of the first buildings ever constructed by the British in Gibraltar thus dating back to the beginning of the 18th Century.

Originally it is thought that they were built as magazines to store ammunition and that the courtyard in the centre with the building that was in it, part of which can still be seen today, was used as a laboratory to prepare ammunition.

The architecture is interesting on the two main buildings, at the rear of the south building there is a 1776 water cistern and lion headed drinking font.