Fortifications with Bastions

Modernised Defence Systems of the Early Modern Period

From the early modern period onwards, weapon technology advanced rapidly. This necessitated an adaptation of the defence systems.

Medieval defence walls could not withstand bombardment from firearms. Therefore, in the 16th century, Italian engineers developed the so-called Old Italian Bastion System.

Bastions, or bulwarks, are powerful, multi-angled wall projections that jut out from the straight fortress walls, known as curtains.

The previously used round or square towers had a blind spot in the firing range, which the modern bastions eliminated. Unlike medieval towers or roundels, bastions allowed the defenders to expose the attackers to effective crossfire and also enabled the firing of cannons in all directions.

There are a total of eleven bastions on the castle grounds. Originally, there was a small tower located at the most strategically favourable corner of each bastion, from which a lookout was kept to recognise threats.