The Ministry of Heritage has announced the completion of restoration and enhancement works at the City Under Siege Exhibition on the Upper Rock carried out by Wright Tech, working with heritage specialists to ensure historical accuracy.

The historic site has been sympathetically restored and reimagined, with new lighting, enhanced interpretation, refreshed branding, improved security measures, and a new maintenance schedule to support the long-term care of the facility.

The exhibition now features newly uncovered stories and narratives revealed during the restoration process, alongside additional original artefacts generously donated by private collectors. These artefacts have been carefully restored in-house by Wright Tech’s specialist restoration team and incorporated into the visitor experience.

A new garden area has also been created, offering visitors a peaceful and inviting environment in which to reflect on the history and significance of the site.

What was once a shorter visitor experience has now been transformed into a richer and more atmospheric exhibition, encouraging visitors to take their time and engage more deeply with the stories of Gibraltar during the Great Siege.

Christian Wright, Managing Director of Wright Tech, the company responsible for the restoration, which was successful in the competitive selection process, said: “We could not be prouder of the work that has been completed at the City Under Siege Exhibition. This project reflects the standard of care we believe Gibraltar’s heritage assets deserve. For us, this work is both a privilege and a responsibility, and everyone involved has taken the utmost care to deliver the site to the highest possible standard.

“It is something that we, both as a business and as Gibraltarians, can be truly proud to share. The site is now open, and we are excited for visitors to come and experience the atmosphere of this remarkable space.”

Archaeologist Dominic Lopez said: "Heritage is ultimately about people, and the City Under Siege exhibition tells one of the most extraordinary human stories in Gibraltar's history. Set within one of our oldest surviving British military complexes, this project preserves an important historic site whilst giving visitors a deeper understanding of the lives, hardships, resilience and ingenuity of those who lived through the Great Siege.

“By conserving the original fabric of the buildings, protecting historic graffiti left by soldiers centuries ago, and presenting new interpretation in an engaging way, we are ensuring that this remarkable chapter of Gibraltar's past remains accessible to future generations. This is exactly the type of project that demonstrates how heritage can enrich education, strengthen identity and contribute to a sustainable cultural tourism product.

“I congratulate all those involved and encourage both residents and visitors alike to discover this fascinating new experience."

The City Under Siege Exhibition is now open to visitors and forms part of Gibraltar’s growing heritage offering, helping to preserve and share the stories, archaeology, and lived experiences connected to the Great Siege of Gibraltar.

Minister for Heritage, Professor John Cortes, said: “This excellent site is just one of the many projects that we have embarked on, in partnership with the private sector and under expert supervision, to ensure the preservation and enjoyment of our heritage. It shows precisely the kind of commitment to our heritage that Gibraltar needed, and carried out through private investment and the use of visitor income. I encourage all to visit this wonderful site”.