Gibraltar’s botanic gardens were first created in 1816 as a place of tranquillity for the public and members of the garrison to stroll in peace. Now, plants from all over the world can be found in the gardens.

The Alameda Gardens are a peaceful paradise amid the hustle and bustle of daily life in Gibraltar. Opened in 1816, adjacent to the historic Grand Parade ground which is now the car park beside the cable car station. The car park can be seen in the panorama opposite.

The Alameda Gardens were founded in 1816 on the instigation of the Governor, General George Don in order to provide an area for recreation for the residents of Gibraltar. The main gates are named after Sir George Don.

The Grand Parade was an assembly ground in an area which had been a “desert of red sand”, used as a raw material in construction within the town. Parts of the area had been used as a vegetable garden for the forces during the sieges, and parts as cemeteries. The shoreline here had been the easiest access for landings until a fortified wall was built along the shore and had been used to great effect by the Moors in defeating Enrique de Guzman, Second Count Niebla, in 1435.

The changing of the guard was held at Grand Parade every week and the site was used for ceremonial occasions. To this day two Victorian 10 inch RML (Rifled Muzzle Loading) guns overlook grand parade from the east and the steps provide an alternative entrance to the gardens.

Alameda is derived from the Spanish word “Alamo”, or White Poplar Populus alba, and old writings mention these trees growing along the Grand Parade.

The photograph above shows one of the two Russian guns on display at the main entrance to the gardens. Taken as trophies by the British during the Crimean war of 1854-1856, four of these guns were donated to the people of Gibraltar, the second pair are can be seen at War Memorial Steps on Line wall Road.

The gardens are laid out with numerous interconnecting paths and terraced beds, set out mainly with native Jurassic limestone rock, much of it tinted by the local red sand. Dry stone walls and retaining walls were also made out of the local rock.

Now managed as Botanic Gardens, they are run in an environmentally friendly way, with an emphasis on encouragIng nature into the very heart of the City of Gibraltar. With the Upper Rock Nature Reserve as its backdrop, and at the hub of a green corridor that stretches from the Rock’s summit at 400 metres, down almost to the sea, Nature reigns in these gardens. Along with the plants that have been brought from many dIfferent lands, we can see butterflies, birds, reptiles and amphibians. Nesting and wintering in the Gardens are typIcal Mediterranean scrub and woodland birds, while migration – for whIch GIbraltar is so important – brings more colourful, exotic visitors, and impressIve birds of prey which journey overhead.

Since 1991, the restoration of the Alameda as a Botanic Garden has been in the hands of Wildlife (Gibraltar) Ltd., on contract to the Government of Gibraltar. The aim is to develop the gardens in ways that will enhance enjoyment, conservation and education, so that its future will be even richer than its past.

The Gibraltar Botanic Gardens website has much more detailed information about specific aspects of the gardens, flora and fauna as well as daily news and activities. You can use the following link;

www.gibraltargardens.gi