Wilson's Cave facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wilson's Cave |
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Access to Wilson's Cave via a small ladder within the tunnel system inside the Rock of Gibraltar
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| Location | Gibraltar |
| Discovery | World War II |
| Geology | Limestone |
| Entrances | 1 |
| Lighting | No |
Wilson's Cave is a natural cave found deep inside the Rock of Gibraltar. Gibraltar is a special territory of the United Kingdom located at the southern tip of Spain. The cave was named after Major W. H. Wilson, an important engineer in the British Army.
Discovering Wilson's Cave
Wilson's Cave is a large cave made of limestone, a common type of rock. It was found by accident during World War II. At that time, soldiers were digging many tunnels inside the Rock of Gibraltar. They needed these tunnels to move around safely and store supplies.
How the Cave Was Found
While digging a tunnel called Magazine Ramp, near Green Lane Magazine, the miners hit something unexpected. Part of their tunnel suddenly broke open into a large, natural space. This space was Wilson's Cave!
The soldiers were building a special structure called a "blast trap." This was designed to protect against explosions from nearby storage areas for ammunition. When the tunnel collapsed into the cave, it showed them a hidden part of the Rock.
Where is Wilson's Cave Located?
The cave is located deep within the tunnel system of the Rock of Gibraltar. You can find its entrance near Magazine Ramp, which connects to the Great North Road Tunnel. This road was very important during the war for moving vehicles and supplies.
