Princess Anne's Battery, Artillery battery on Willis's Plateau, Gibraltar
Princess Anne's Battery is an artillery fortification on Willis's Plateau featuring four gun positions enclosed by concrete rings. Each emplacement contains ammunition storage and bunkers built into the defensive structure.
The fortification was founded in 1732 and named after the daughter of King George II, with five 12-pounder cannons installed initially. The Great Siege period led to its expansion as nine cannons were added to strengthen defensive capabilities.
The site reflects how Gibraltar's defensive infrastructure evolved to protect its strategic location, and visitors can see how military installations shaped the colony's identity. The guns on display represent the engineering priorities that dominated the rock's development for centuries.
Access requires advance arrangements through the Gibraltar Tourist Board since the site operates under controlled visitor protocols. Planning ahead and contacting local authorities is necessary to arrange a visit to the fortification.
A severe powder magazine explosion in 1782 killed fourteen people and destroyed much of the flank structure. This disaster prompted major reconstruction efforts and led to improvements in ammunition storage safety design.
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