Inundation, Gibraltar

Inundation
La Laguna
Part of Fortifications of Gibraltar
Gibraltar
View over the Neutral Ground and Inundation from British positions on the Rock of Gibraltar, depicted in 1828
Inundation
Coordinates	36°08′50″N 5°20′57″W / 36.147258°N 5.349093°W / 36.147258; -5.349093
Type	Body of water
Site information
Owner	Government of Gibraltar
Open to the public	Yes
Condition	Drained and reclaimed
Site history
Built	1735
Demolished	Post World War II

The Inundation was a flooded and fortified area of ground on the sandy isthmus between Spain and Gibraltar, created by the British in the 18th century to restrict access to the territory as part of the fortifications of Gibraltar. It was originally a marshy area known as the Morass at the far south-western end of the isthmus, occupying the area adjacent to the north-western flank of the Rock of Gibraltar.^[1] The Morass was dug out and expanded to create an artificial lake which was further obstructed by iron and wooden obstacles in the water. Two small fortifications on either side controlled access to Gibraltar. The only road to and from the town ran along a narrow causeway between the Inundation and the sea which was enfiladed by batteries mounted on the lower slopes of the Rock.^[2] The Inundation existed for about 200 years before it was infilled and built over after the Second World War.