Main Guard (Gibraltar)

Last updated

Main Guard
Commercial Square, Dibdin.png
1830s painting by Dibdin depicting Commercial Square, with the Exchange and Commercial Library (center, left) and the Main Guard (right, side view).
Gibraltar location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Location of the Main Guard in Gibraltar.
General information
Type Guardhouse
Architectural style Georgian
Address13 John Mackintosh Square
Country Gibraltar
Coordinates 36°08′26″N5°21′15″W / 36.14062°N 5.354147°W / 36.14062; -5.354147
Current tenants Gibraltar Heritage Trust
Owner Government of Gibraltar

The Main Guard is a historic, 18th-century guardhouse in the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar. While the exact date of its construction is unknown, it is the oldest building in John Mackintosh Square. The French artist Henri Regnault produced three paintings while a visitor at the Main Guard. After being displayed at the guardhouse for many years, they are now kept at the Gibraltar National Museum. The building's function has changed with the centuries. The Main Guard first served as a guardhouse; in the 20th century, it functioned as a fire station, bath house, and government offices. Since 2001, the building has housed the Gibraltar Heritage Trust and underwent restoration in 2011. It hosts the tourist information office of Gibraltar.

Contents

The first 100 years

The Main Guard is a historic building in Gibraltar, the British Overseas Territory at the southern end of the Iberian Peninsula. [1] [2] It is located on the south end of what is now known as John Mackintosh Square, near Gibraltar City Hall, formerly referred to as Connaught House. [3] [4] [5] [6] While the exact date of its construction is unknown, the Main Guard building is the oldest in the square. [7] The first references to the building are found in documents which date to the mid-18th century. In 1748, a Gibraltar visitor who stayed at an inn on the Parade, a former name for John Mackintosh Square, wrote that the "grand guard house" was near his hotel and that it was "one of the neatest buildings" in the area. He described it as "but one storey high" which, based on his observation, was the usual height of the buildings in Gibraltar. He further related that in front of the guardhouse, on the Parade, was a "whipping post, where almost every day soldiers are brought to feel the scourge." [3] Floggings were meted out at the Parade as a form of military punishment. [8]

In the mid-18th century, John Mackintosh Square was used as a parade ground known as the Parade. The building is shown in a plan drawn in 1750, but published in 1770, and referred to as the Main Guard Room. On a 1753 plan of the Parade, it was labelled as the Main Guard. Its location near the King's Bastion meant that it sustained extensive damage during the Great Siege of Gibraltar (1779–1783). [3] [9] The second storey present today was likely added when the guardhouse was rebuilt. In an 1830s image of Commercial Square, another previous name for John Mackintosh Square, the building is shown with two storeys. [3] The 1830s painting (pictured above) by British artist Thomas Colman Dibdin (1810 – 1893) shows the Main Guard with officers stationed outside, as well as the nearby Exchange and Commercial Library on the eastern side of the square. [10] [11] Every evening, the sentries in Gibraltar would receive their assignments at the Main Guard. [8] Early 19th-century regulations in Gibraltar required that any inhabitant wandering in the streets after midnight without a permit was to be transferred to the Main Guard. In addition, any inebriated soldier in the city was to be sent to that same guardhouse. [12]

More recent history

Self-portrait of Henri Regnault (1843-1871), c. 1863. Henri Regnault - Autoportrait avec appui-main.jpg
Self-portrait of Henri Regnault (1843–1871), c. 1863.

The French painter Henri Regnault (30 October 1843 – 19 January 1871), a native of Paris, was a frequent visitor to the Main Guard in the late 1860s, as he was a friend of the officers. [13] The artist (pictured at left) produced three paintings for the officers which, after being displayed at the guardhouse for many years, were removed for restoration and their current location is unknown. Other museums which hold his works include the Musée d'Orsay, the Cleveland Museum of Art, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. [13] [14] [15] Regnault died at the Battle of Buzenval in 1871 at the age of 27, defending his country in the Franco-Prussian War. [4] [7] [13] Later that century, in 1885, the Gibraltar Directory indicated that the guardhouse at Commercial Square had its guardroom and cells on the ground floor and the officers' room on the second floor. At the time of the 1896 directory, the building was still being utilised as a guardhouse. [3]

Main Guard in 2022 Gibraltar John Mackintosh Square 13.jpg
Main Guard in 2022

By 1911, however, the building was no longer a guardhouse. Until late 1920, it was home to the Military Foot Police, and, from February 1921 to March 1938, the building served as the City Fire Station. After the construction of a new main fire station on Alameda Square in 1938, plans were developed to demolish the Main Guard and replace it with a new Art Deco-style building to house the Public Health Department. The plans were set aside at start of World War II. [16]

Later in the 20th century, the Main Guard was used as government offices for licensing and payment of bills. Since 2001, the Main Guard has been headquarters for the Gibraltar Heritage Trust. [3] [7] [8] In early 2011, the Friends of Gibraltar, also known as the Friends of Gibraltar Heritage Society, pledged to contribute £10,000 to assist in the restoration of the Main Guard. [17] [18] [19]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Musée d'Orsay</span> Art museum in Paris, France

The Musée d'Orsay is a museum in Paris, France, on the Left Bank of the Seine. It is housed in the former Gare d'Orsay, a Beaux-Arts railway station built between 1898 and 1900. The museum holds mainly French art dating from 1848 to 1914, including paintings, sculptures, furniture, and photography. It houses the largest collection of Impressionist and post-Impressionist masterpieces in the world, by painters including Berthe Morisot, Claude Monet, Édouard Manet, Degas, Renoir, Cézanne, Seurat, Sisley, Gauguin, and van Gogh. Many of these works were held at the Galerie nationale du Jeu de Paume prior to the museum's opening in 1986. It is one of the largest art museums in Europe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Henri Regnault</span> French painter (1843–1871)

Alexandre Georges Henri Regnault was a French painter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gibraltar Parliament</span> Legislature of the British overseas territory of Gibraltar

The Gibraltar Parliament is the legislature of the British overseas territory of Gibraltar. Between 1969 and 2006, it was called the Gibraltar House of Assembly.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Main Street, Gibraltar</span>

Main Street is the main arterial street in the British overseas territory of Gibraltar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Garrison Historic Area</span> Old town

St. Ann's Garrison, or more commonly known as "The Garrison", is a small district located in the country of Barbados. This Garrison Historic Area is situated about 3.2 km (2 mi) south of Heroes Square in the capital-city Bridgetown, and just west of the village of Hastings in the neighbouring parish of Christ Church. It is dominated by its historic horse race-track, located on the 12 ha (30-acre) parade ground called the Garrison Savannah. The Garrison area additionally contains many historic buildings including barracks for military personnel. The district is bisected by Highway 7, with Saint Ann's Fort, where the Barbados Defence Force (BDF) is based, lying to the west.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Willow Tearooms</span> Tearooms in Glasgow, Scotland

The Willow Tearooms are tearooms at 217 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, Scotland, designed by internationally renowned architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh, which opened for business in October 1903. They quickly gained enormous popularity, and are the most famous of the many Glasgow tearooms that opened in the late 19th and early 20th century. The building was fully restored, largely to Mackintosh's original designs, between 2014 and 2018. It was re-opened as working tearooms in July 2018 and trades under the name "Mackintosh at The Willow". This follows a trademark dispute with the former operator of The Willow Tearooms which was resolved in 2017. That name is now used at tearoom premises in Buchanan Street and was additionally used at the Watt Brothers Department Store in Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow between 2016 and its closure in 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gibraltar National Day</span>

Gibraltar National Day, celebrated annually on 10 September, is the official national day of the British overseas territory of Gibraltar. The day commemorates Gibraltar's first sovereignty referendum of 1967, in which Gibraltarian voters were asked whether they wished to either pass under Spanish sovereignty, or remain under British sovereignty, with institutions of self-government.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Athlone Castle</span> 12th century castle in Westmeath, Ireland

Athlone Castle, sometimes known as Adamson Castle, is a castle located in Athlone, County Westmeath, Ireland, dating from the 12th century.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gibraltar City Hall</span> Former city hall for Gibraltar

The Gibraltar City Hall is the former city hall for Gibraltar, centrally located within the city at the west end of John Mackintosh Square. It is the office of the Mayor of Gibraltar and since 2023 has been the location of the Registry of Marriages.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Mackintosh Square</span> Square in Gibraltar

John Mackintosh Square is a main square in the British overseas territory of Gibraltar. It has been the centre of city life since the 14th century and takes its name from John Mackintosh, a local philanthropist. Notable buildings on John Mackintosh Square include the Parliament Building and the City Hall.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rosia Bay</span> Natural harbour in Gibraltar

Rosia Bay is the only natural harbour in Gibraltar, the British Overseas Territory at the southern end of the Iberian Peninsula. Formerly referred to as Rosia Harbour, it is located on the southwest side of Gibraltar. Rosia Bay was the site of the Royal Navy Victualling Yard complex which was constructed in the early 19th century, allowing vessels to anchor and obtain provisions, including food and water. Vice Admiral Horatio Nelson obtained supplies for his Mediterranean Fleet at Rosia Bay. It was to that same anchorage that his vessel HMS Victory was towed after Nelson's death in the 1805 Battle of Trafalgar. The area is also the location of gun batteries, including Parson's Lodge Battery at the south end of the bay and Napier of Magdala Battery at the north end. In the 21st century, Rosia Bay was the focus of controversy following the government's demolition of the historic Rosia Water Tanks and construction of the affordable housing development Nelson's View, which necessitated the relocation of the owners of the adjacent 19th century Rosia Cottages.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Prince Edward's Gate</span>

Prince Edward's Gate is a city gate at the entrance to Prince Edward's Road in the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar. It cuts through Charles V Wall, one of the 16th century fortifications of Gibraltar at the former southern limit of the city. The gate is adjacent to the west wall of the Flat Bastion, another 16th-century fortification. The gate was named after Prince Edward, the future Duke of Kent, and was opened in 1790, the same year the prince arrived at Gibraltar as commander of the 7th Regiment of Foot. While the gate now has a limited role in the defence of Gibraltar, it continues to provide vehicular and pedestrian access through Charles V Wall. Prince Edward's Gate is listed with the Gibraltar Heritage Trust.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Streets in Gibraltar</span>

Streets in the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar are represented by road signs as in the United Kingdom. As of 2007, Gibraltar has a network of 29 kilometres (18 mi) of roads.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Mackintosh Hall</span>

The John Mackintosh Hall, known as the John Mac Hall to locals, is the main cultural centre in the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar. It consists of a public library, a theatre, conference hall, and several multi-purpose spaces.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grand Casemates Square</span> Square in Gibraltar

Grand Casemates Square is the larger of the two main squares within the city centre of Gibraltar. The square takes its name from the British-built Grand Casemates, a casemate and bombproof barracks at the northern end of the square completed in 1817.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Middle Hill Battery</span> Artillery battery in the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar

Middle Hill Battery is an artillery battery in the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar. It is located on Middle Hill, at the northeastern end of the Upper Rock Nature Reserve, just south of Green's Lodge Battery and Rock Gun Battery. The emplacement dates to 1727, when a single gun was mounted. By the turn of the twentieth century, six 10-inch rifled muzzle-loading guns were present at Middle Hill Battery. Other buildings documented at that time as part of the battery complex included the Nursery Hut and the Middle Hill Group, the latter a cluster of buildings which perched on the cliff edge. An anti-aircraft Bofors gun had been installed at the battery by the Second World War. After the war, the area transitioned to use as a Ministry of Defence aerial farm. In 2005, the battery and surrounding area were transferred to the Government of Gibraltar. The site is now managed by the Gibraltar Ornithological and Natural History Society.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Main Guard (Valletta)</span> Guardhouse in Valletta, Malta

The Main Guard, originally called the Guardia della Piazza, is a building in Valletta, Malta, located in the square facing the Grandmaster's Palace in the city centre. It was originally built as a guardhouse in 1603 by the Order of St. John, and it remained in use after the British took over Malta in 1800. A Neoclassical portico was added in 1814, and a British coat of arms and a commemorative inscription were installed later on above the portico. These have become one of the main symbols of British rule in Malta. The building used to house the Office of the Attorney General.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Admiralty buildings</span> Building complex in London

The Admiralty buildings complex lies between Whitehall, Horse Guards Parade and The Mall and includes five inter-connected buildings.

<i>Summary Execution under the Moorish Kings of Granada</i> Painting by Henri Regnault

Summary Execution under the Moorish Kings of Granada (French: Exécution sans jugement sous les rois maures de Grenade) is an oil on canvas painting by Henri Regnault. Completed in 1870, it was acquired by the state from Regnault’s heirs for display at the Musée du Luxembourg. It is currently in the collection of the Musée d'Orsay. A study for the figure of the executioner is also in the collections of the British Museum.

References

  1. ↑ "List of Crown Dependencies & Overseas Territories". fco.gov.uk. Foreign and Commonwealth Office . Retrieved 4 October 2012.
  2. ↑ Roach, John (13 September 2012). "Neandertals' Last Stand Was in Gibraltar, Study Suggests". National Geographic News. National Geographic Society. Archived from the original on 14 November 2006. Retrieved 4 October 2012.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Benady, Sam (February 2009). "Newsletter — The Main Guard — Historical Notes" (PDF). gibraltarheritagetrust.org.gi. Gibraltar Heritage Trust. pp. 14–15. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 August 2010. Retrieved 3 October 2012.
  4. ↑ "Places of Jewish Interest — Gibraltar City Hall". jewishgibraltar.com. Gibraltar Jewish Community. Archived from the original on 19 February 2013. Retrieved 4 October 2012.
  5. ↑ "Gibraltar News — The Legacy of John Mackintosh" (PDF). VisitGibraltar.gi. May 2009. p. 15. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 March 2012. Retrieved 4 October 2012.
  6. 1 2 3 "Newsletter No 81". docstoc.com. Friends of Gibraltar Heritage Society. October 2007. p. 5. Archived from the original on 29 October 2011. Retrieved 3 October 2012.
  7. 1 2 3 "Press Release — John Mackintosh Square beautification". gibraltar.gov.gi. Government of Gibraltar. Archived from the original on 21 May 2012. Retrieved 4 October 2012.
  8. ↑ Fire Over the Rock: The Great Siege of Gibraltar 1779–1783. Naval & Military Press. Archived from the original on 1 January 2012. Retrieved 4 October 2012.
  9. ↑ "The People of Gibraltar - 1784 - Giovanni Maria Boschetti". Neville Chipulina. Retrieved 4 October 2012.
  10. ↑ "Thomas Colman Dibdin". Art UK . Retrieved 4 October 2012.
  11. ↑ Pitt, John (2nd Earl of Chatham) (1825). General regulations and standing orders for the garrison of Gibraltar. p. 56. Retrieved 3 October 2012.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  12. 1 2 3 "Henri Regnault Self-Portrait with a Maulstick c. 1863". davidrumsey.com. The AMICA Library. Retrieved 4 October 2012.
  13. ↑ "Henri Regnault — Summary Execution". musee-orsay.fr. Musée d'Orsay . Retrieved 4 October 2012.
  14. ↑ "Salomé". metmuseum.org. Metropolitan Museum of Art . Retrieved 4 October 2012.
  15. ↑ Garcia, Richard (2017). "The Proposed Demolition of the Main Guard". Gibraltar Heritage Trust. 23: 34–42. ISBN   978-1-919658-20-9.
  16. ↑ "Report and Accounts" (PDF). friendsofgibraltar.org.uk. Friends of Gibraltar. 31 March 2010. Retrieved 4 October 2012.
  17. ↑ "The Main Guard". friendsofgibraltar.org.uk. The Friends of Gibraltar. Archived from the original on 31 July 2016. Retrieved 3 October 2012.
  18. ↑ "Minutes — Annual general meeting of members of The Friends of Gibraltar". www.friendsofgibraltar.org.uk. The Friends of Gibraltar. 23 February 2011. Archived from the original on 10 August 2011. Retrieved 3 October 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.