Poca Roca Cave facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Poca Roca Cave |
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Poca Roca by Rev. Cooper Willyams in 1782
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| Location | under the Middle Hill of the Rock of Gibraltar |
| Geology | Limestone |
| Entrances | 1 |
Poca Roca Cave is a fascinating cave located in Gibraltar, a British territory. It's one of many caves found on the famous Rock of Gibraltar.
Contents
Where is Poca Roca Cave?
This cave is found under Middle Hill, which is part of the Upper Rock area. It is near a place called Governor's Lookout. Long ago, there was an Isolation Hospital at this spot.
What is the Rock of Gibraltar Made Of?
Gibraltar is often called the "Hill of Caves" because it has so many. All these caves are made from a type of rock called Limestone. Poca Roca Cave has a long crack, or "fissure," that goes right through the Rock of Gibraltar. This crack runs from the old town area, near Bell Lane, all the way to Catalan Bay on the coast.
History of Poca Roca Cave
Caves in Gibraltar have been important for a long time. They offered shelter and storage.
The Great Siege and Cave Use
During the Great Siege of Gibraltar, which lasted for three and a half years, people used the caves to stay safe. They hid from the constant attacks and bombardments. While other caves like Beefsteak Cave were used by local people, Poca Roca Cave had a special role.
In August 1779, Poca Roca Cave was made ready for General George Augustus Elliot. He was the Governor of Gibraltar at the time. The cave was prepared to be his living space! After the siege ended in 1783, the cave was used for storage. It held gunpowder for the artillery batteries nearby, like Green's Lodge Battery and Middle Hill Battery.
Exploring the Caves for Clues
In the 1860s, Captain Fred Brome was in charge of Gibraltar's prison. He wanted to explore some of Gibraltar's caves. He asked the Governor for permission to look inside Martin's Cave, St. Michael's Cave, Fig Tree Cave, and Poca Roca Cave.
Captain Brome hoped to find old objects or signs that showed how people used the caves in the past. The Governor agreed to his plan. A team of ten prisoners helped Captain Brome with his explorations. Martin's Cave was the first one they explored.
