Located on the cliff face behind the Europa Pass Batteries, this stone circular tower contains a spiral staircase provided quick access for troop movement between Europa Pass and Windmill Hill Flats. A separate winding staircase leads up to the tower itself that is well concealed by the natural shape of the rocky nook where the actual tower id located.

The defences around Europa Pass was first strengthened in 1811 by order of Lieutenant General Colin Campbell, Governor of Gibraltar around the time the Europa Pass Battery was constructed and coinciding with the arrival of French troops to the town of San Roque. As early as 1810, Campbell had ordered the destruction of the Spanish lines and batteries, including the Forts of St. Philip and Sta. Bárbara, with the blessing of his Spanish allies to prevent these forts from falling into the hands of the French army.

Lieutenant-Governor, General Colin Campbell.

Whilst the vastly strengthened defences along Gibraltar’s northern front and destruction of the Spanish forts along the isthmus made a frontal assault highly unlikely to succeed, an amphibious assault in the sparsely defended Southern part along the Europa Flats was considered as a possible French alternative. 

As part of specific strategic countermeasures, Campbell ordered the strengthening of the defensive positions along Windmill Hill and Europa Flats area to cover the advances into the Europa Pass. These new defences included the defensive walls along the Buffadaro ridge, converting Lathbury Barracks into a defensible fort and siting the Europa Pass Battery to cover the Europa Pass Gate. In addition, a staircase allowed reinforcements to pour down from from Buena Vista on the right flank whilst the stone staircase on the left flank allowed more troops to descend from the flats above on Windmill Hill. Campbell was well aware that with only one road leading from Europa Flats any enemy assault would have to breach this gate in order to advance towards the town from the South.

The tower and staircase was therefore of strategic importance in support of the defence of Europa Pass Gate.

Europa Pass Gate.

In 1840, Sir John Jones recommended the construction of a barracks on Buena Vista for 400 men who could then support the defence of the Europa Pass below by the construction of “bridges connecting the two intervening rocks and to render the passage along the bottom of the gully or ravine secure by cross walls at its foot.”

He then proposed a similar method of securing troop movement down to the Europa Pass from the left flank. “On the left of the line, it is further proposed to construct a slight enclosure wall for the defence of the gorge of the deal bastion, and form within it an ascent to Windmill Hill by means of a shaft and steps also secured at its summit by a defensive wall. This enclosure is planned more with a view to give confidence and prevent confusion amongst the troops ascending or descending the shaft during a night attack, than from any apprehension of an enemy daring to move on the rear of the position of Buena Vista, whilst daylight admits of their being seen…”

He then went on to say that:

“A force thus situated is convenient for every purpose, it is close to the sea defences, watches Europa, is ready to act with troops in the South Barracks, and with those on Windmill Hill by the ascent just described; and by means of a flanked and loopholed enclosure wall, projected across the rocky knoll in front of the barracks and quarters, they will occupy a strong defensive post against an assailant, although untenable for five minutes under the artillery which can be directed against it from Windmill Hill.”

The tower and staircase was therefore constructed because it was considered of strategic importance in support of the defence of Europa Pass Gate.

1859 Gibraltar fortifications map, showing the southern defences including Europa Pass.

2nd Europa Battery showing looped firing wall and connecting bridges.

2nd Europa Battery showing the Europa Pass Road and Devil's Bowling Green.

In the second half of the twentieth century, hutments were built in the area of Europa Pass Battery and the staircase would have been convenient for troops ascending to Windmill Hill Flats as they were for reinforcement of the Europa Pass should it be required.

While limestone staircases linking different levels of the Rock can be found elsewhere in Gibraltar, the Europa Pass example is the most refined in terms of construction. Its design was helped by the fact that the cliff is relatively straight in this location, which enabled the construction of this tower without the need to adapt to the often-treacherous shape of the Rock. The result is a cylindrical tower faced with limestone ashlar, accessed by a curving staircase leading to a decorated doorway. It has two series of loopholes running its whole length.

Stone Tower leading to Windmill Hill Flats as seen on OS map.

Winding staircase leading to the stone tower.

2nd Europa Pass Battery defensive wall with firing loops as recommended by Colonel Jones. The winding stairs leading to the concealed tower can be seen in the background.