Batería de la Atunara facts for kids
The Atunara Battery was an old fort with cannons, built in 1735 in La Línea de la Concepción, Spain. It was part of a line of defenses around Gibraltar. The Spanish government built it because they worried that the British territory of Gibraltar might try to expand.
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The Atunara Battery: A Spanish Fort
Why the Fort was Built
The Spanish military built the Atunara Battery in 1735. They were concerned about the nearby British territory of Gibraltar. They wanted to protect their land and stop Gibraltar from growing bigger. This fort was part of a larger defense system.
Where the Battery Stood
The Atunara Battery was located on the Playa de La Atunara (Atunara Beach). This spot was north of the Bay of Algeciras. It helped protect the back of the "Lines of Contravallation of Gibraltar," which was a long defensive wall. The southern part of Gibraltar was already well protected. However, the northern area needed stronger cannons. So, the military suggested adding more cannons nearby.
The building itself had two strong, rectangular sections called bastions. These bastions were built parallel to the ground near the beach. They helped protect the fort from attacks.
Who Guarded the Fort?
The Atunara Battery could hold a small group of soldiers. This included fifteen infantrymen and one officer. There were also six gunners and a corporal to operate the cannons. Four cavalrymen and a corporal were also stationed there. However, by 1796, the number of soldiers had dropped. At that time, there were only ten men and two gunners left.
The End of the Battery
In 1810, the Spanish forts around Gibraltar were completely destroyed. A British engineer named Sir Charles Holloway led this destruction. Spain supposedly agreed to this plan. The reason was to prevent these forts from being captured by Napoleon's troops during the Peninsular War.
See also
In Spanish: Batería de la Atunara para niños
