Curtain wall (fortification)

Curtain wall (fortification)
The curtain wall at Krak des Chevaliers, Syria

A curtain wall is a defensive wall between two bastions of a castle or fortress.[1]

In earlier designs of castle the curtain walls were often built to a considerable height and were fronted by a ditch or moat to make assault difficult.

Later with the introduction of trace italienne fortifications the height of the curtain walls was reduced and beyond the ditch additional outworks such as ravelins and tenailles were added to protect the curtain walls from direct cannonading.

See also

Notes

References

  • Whitelaw, A., ed. (1846), The Popular Encyclopedia; or, Conversations Lexicon, I, Glasgow, Edinburgh, and London: Blackie & Son 

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