La Línea de la Concepción (ES)

FORTE CULTURA Station: Defence lines La Línea de la Concepción (ES)

Defence bulwark against Gibraltar

Forts and bunkers from 300 years of fortification history

From 1730, Spain fortified itself on the northern border of the Gibraltar Peninsula, having previously tried in vain to recapture the Rock of Gibraltar, which England had taken possession of in 1704. At enormous expense, a defence line was built from coast to coast with 2 forts and 5 bastions and batteries - the Línea de Contravalación de Gibraltar.

The town of La Línea was not officially founded on this site until 1870, and the town charter was granted by King Alfonso XIII in 1913.

Between 1940 and 1944, the isthmus was once again fortified against the British Crown Colony of Gibraltar. This time with bunkered artillery positions, machine gun nests, watchtowers, mediation centres and command posts, some of which were built on the structures of the 18th century fortification line.