Main Street, Gibraltar (must see)

Formerly called Real Street (Calle Real), the route of Main Street was established with the opening of the Africa Gate, now called the Southport Gates, in 1575. During the Great Siege of Gibraltar, from 1779 to 1783, by the French and Spanish fleets, houses on the street were bombarded and mostly destroyed.

The street was rebuilt, as ordered by the British Governor Charles O'Hara, in 1801. The facade of the Cathedral of St. Mary the Crowned was downsized, and the street straightened. The street today is mainly devoted to commerce and shopping. It is pedestrianized and runs north-south through the old part of town.

Buildings lining the street show Genoese, Portuguese, Andalusian, Moorish, and British Regency styles of architecture. The ground floors mostly have shops. The upper floors are for offices and lodging for tourists.

Outstanding buildings on Main Street are the Cathedral of St. Mary the Crowned, the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, the Governor's Residence, the Law Courts, Parliament, Ince's Hall Theatre, John Mackintosh Hall, King's Chapel, and the Post Office.