| Montagu Bastion | |
|---|---|
Plataforma de San Andrés | |
| Part ofFortifications of Gibraltar | |
| Gibraltar | |
 Montagu Bastion | |
 Montagu andOrange Bastions as depicted on the scaleModel of Gibraltar (1865) (now at theGibraltar Museum) | |
| Site information | |
| Type | Bastion |
| Owner | Government of Gibraltar |
| Open to the public | No |
| Location | |
  Montagu Bastion Location of Montagu Bastion withinGibraltar. | |
| Coordinates | 36°08′43″N5°21′16″W / 36.145291°N 5.354376°W /36.145291; -5.354376 |
| Site history | |
| Materials | Limestone Concrete |
TheMontagu Bastion is one of manybastions which were designed to protectGibraltar. Montagu was joined toOrange Bastion by acurtain wall known asMontagu Curtain and this bastion was protected by theMontagu Counterguard.
Montagu Bastion was built on the remains of the SpanishPlataforma de San Andrés (Spanish:St. Andrew's Platform). A British bastion already existed on this site in the 1730s and was enlarged in 1773 giving it a pentagonal shape. In the 1790s, SirWilliam Green, oversaw improvements toGibraltar's fortifications. As part of this he had the Montagu and theOrange Bastions extended and in addition he arranged forcounterguards to be constructed in front of them in theGibraltar Harbour.[1] The counterguard, which mirrors the shape of its bastion, had been authorised by theDuke of Richmond in 1787.[2] The theory behind constructing a counterguard, like the Montagu Counterguard in 1804,[3] is that the enemy has to first capture the counterguard in order to take the bastion. Whilst attempting this the enemy would come under the direct fire of the bastion thwarting their plan. Another layer of protection was added when Montagu Counterguard was also given abreakwater that would deteramphibious assaults.[1]
A newgate was cut through Montagu Curtain in 1792[3] and the counterguard was completed in 1804.[2] By 1859 the bastion had 29 guns making it the most powerful bastion in Gibraltar. This was in addition to the guns at the counterguard and six guns on Montagu Curtain.[4]
ThreeRML 10 inch 18 ton guns withGibraltar Shields were installed in 1880 and removed in 1907.[3]
In 1931 the bastion had fourQF 3 inch 20 cwt guns installed.During World War II the bastion was equipped with twoQF 3.7 inch AA guns.[3]
Today the bastion houses a gym and offices for theGibraltar Youth Service. The service runs four youth clubs and one of these meets at the bastion.[5]
The bastion also houses a 42-bed youth hostel known as the Emile Hostel.[6]
Remains of the threeGibraltar Shields which were used to protect the threeRML 10 inch 18 ton guns are still in place today.[3]
