Gibraltar Heritage Trust Welcomes Devil’s Tongue Conservation Works And Calls For Wider Vision For Historic Battery

The Gibraltar Heritage Trust welcomes the Government's announcement that conservation works are to commence at Devil’s Tongue Battery, an important and often overlooked part of Gibraltar's historic fortifications.

The proposed clearance of vegetation, assessment of the surviving historic fabric and subsequent programme of conservation are positive and necessary steps towards safeguarding a monument which has, for too long, remained largely hidden from public view.

Devil’s Tongue occupies an important place in Gibraltar's maritime and military history. Its origins are closely associated with the development of Gibraltar and its origins as a settlement, while its subsequent evolution into a formidable artillery battery reflects Gibraltar's strategic importance over several centuries.

The Trust welcomes the Ministry for Heritage's commitment to a phased programme of restoration and recognises the value of these initial works and commends the support of Gibral Flora who have operated out of the site for decades. The Trust believes that this initiative should also provide the starting point for a more ambitious, long-term vision for the recovery of the whole of Devil’s Tongue Battery. This is a view that the Trust has held and adocated for many times, most recently within the context of the development of the ex-Bahia Bar site. 

The Trust recognises that achieving this vision would require sustained commitment, resources and careful planning over a number of years. The opportunity presented by these initial conservation works should be viewed as the first phase of a wider programme of heritage recovery.

Published: 9th November 2026