15th Century Fortifications Research Papers (original) (raw)
After meticulously studying historical evidence and information from diverse sources about the settlement and evolution of the town of Preveza, the following conclusions are drawn: The Ottomans seized the castle of Riniassa before the end... more
After meticulously studying historical evidence and information from diverse sources about the settlement and evolution of the town of Preveza, the following conclusions are drawn: The Ottomans seized the castle of Riniassa before the end of July 1463 during the reign of Mehmet II, the Conqueror. A small settlement by the port of Vathy, two kilometres north of modern Preveza, which existed at that time and belonged administratively to the region of Riniassa, was probably fortified with two towers in 1465. A new castle was erected in 1478 at the entrance of the gulf of Arta, and eventually became known as the Castle of Bouka (from Italian bocca, meaning mouth or entrance to the gulf). The Ottomans improved its fortification in 1486-1487, 1495, 1530, 1553, and the Venetians did so too in 1684 after they seized the castle. In August 1701, the Venetians blew up the castle before they handed it over to the Ottomans, as stipulated by the terms of the Treaty of Karlowitz. In 1702, the Ottomans erected a new fort half a mile to the north of the destroyed Bouka castle, which resulted in the relocation of the small town of Preveza closer to the new stronghold.
Several manuscripts and prints have illustrated Bouka castle. The first known depiction on a map appears on the 1521 manuscript map of Pirî Reis (Fig. 2), followed by prints of Francesco Genesio in 1538 (Fig. 3), and Antonio Salamanca c.1540 (Fig. 4). Three more manuscript illustrations –those of Iacopo Inghirami in 1605 (Fig. 6), an unknown Venetian in 1684 (Fig. 9), and Giovanni Leonardo Mauro in 1685 (Fig. 10)– are reviewed and compari-sons are made. A new drawing of the castle is made (Fig. 11), based on that of Mauro, and it is overlaid on a modern satellite image of Preveza (Fig. 19) to indicate the exact location of the castle of Bouka. The castle’s foundations surely remain just beneath the topsoil and could be easily located by small excavations.
At the beginning of the 15th century, the Republic of Venice quickly started rebuilding existing fortifications and constructing new ones in order to secure military and political dominance in the cities that resisted its rule. In... more
At the beginning of the 15th century, the Republic of Venice
quickly started rebuilding existing fortifications and
constructing new ones in order to secure military and
political dominance in the cities that resisted its rule. In
Šibenik, the Republic placed its garrison in the medieval
citadel above the city and connected it to the coast in the
bay of Šibenik with a fortified passage, a road of salvation,
planning to use it for reinforcements in case of a siege,
or for the garrison’s retreat in the event it fell into enemy
hands. The road of salvation was built in the form of a
double rampart, and had a tower at the entrance, and another
one that divided the passage into two parts. Even
though it was never used for the purpose it was originally
built for, communication through the double rampart
could take place on two levels: the stairs and ramps on
the ground, and over the walkway at the top of two parallel
wall claddings.
The road of salvation in Šibenik is the only known example
in Dalmatian fortification architecture. There are
no other examples of a road of salvation of this size with
defined dimensions and form on the Dalmatian coast,
and with almost all preserved elements. According to the
available data, its form is unique amongst the fortifications
of the Republic of Venice, some of which have recently
received the status of world heritage site. Therefore,
when restoring and presenting this monument, it is important
to bear in mind not to violate its unity, historical
identity and clarity of various forms of design, especially
the interesting and unique communication on two different
levels, original functions and materials. The road
of salvation in Šibenik is extremely valuable for the history
of fortifications and architecture in Dalmatia in general,
Croatian cultural heritage, and, in a broader context,
for the history of fortifications in the Republic of Venice.