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Apr 11, 2024 · Fortresses have stood as enduring symbols of strength, strategic prowess, and architectural ingenuity throughout history. From medieval castles perched atop rugged cliffs to imposing citadels guarding ancient cities, fortresses have played a pivotal role in shaping the course of warfare, politics, and culture.
Jun 26, 2023 · 1. Rock of Gibraltar – As strategically important today as in antiquity. First on our list of great fortresses is one that would be of great strategic importance for millennia. The Rock of...
May 24, 2018 · 1. Crac des Chevaliers, Syria. Chris Caldicott // Getty Images. Built by the Hospitaller Order of Saint John of Jerusalem from 1142 to 1271, the Crusader castle in Syria—and a UNESCO World...
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Alhambra, palace and fortress of the Moorish monarchs of Granada, Spain. The name Alhambra, signifying in Arabic “the red,” is probably derived from the reddish colour of the tapia (rammed earth) of which the outer walls were built.
Constructed on a plateau that overlooks the city of Granada, the Alhambra was built chiefly between 1238 and 1358, in the reigns of Ibn al-Aḥmar, founder of the Naṣrid dynasty, and his successors. The splendid decorations of the interior are ascribed to Yūsuf I (died 1354). After the expulsion of the Moors in 1492, much of the interior was effaced ...
The Alhambra is situated in a locale of rare natural beauty. The plateau upon which it was built overlooks the Albaicín (Albayzin) quarter of Granada’s Moorish old city. At the base of the plateau, the Darro River flows through a deep ravine on the north. The park outside the palace (Alameda de la Alhambra) was planted by the Moors with roses, oranges, and myrtles. Its most characteristic feature, however, is the dense wood of English elms brought there in 1812 by the duke of Wellington during the Peninsular War.
The lower entrance to the park is the Puerta de las Granadas (Gate of Pomegranates), a massive triumphal arch dating from the 16th century. Just inside the gate is a statue of American author Washington Irving, which was erected in 2009, on the 150th anniversary of Irving’s death, to commemorate his role in sparking interest in Spain’s Moorish past. A steep ascent leads past a fountain, erected in 1554, to the main entrance of the Alhambra. This is the Puerta Judiciaria (Gate of Judgment), a horseshoe archway surmounted by a square tower, which was used by the Moors as an informal court of justice. The Moorish portion of the Alhambra includes the Alcazaba, or citadel, which is the oldest part; only its massive outer walls, towers, and ramparts are left. Beyond the Alcazaba is the Alhambra palace and beyond that the Alhambra Alta (Upper Alhambra), which was originally tenanted by officials and courtiers and was part of a royal city constituting a seat of government.
The present entrance through the Oratory leads to the Patio de los Arrayanes (Court of the Myrtles). This court is 140 feet (43 metres) long by 74 feet (23 metres) wide. In the centre is a large reflecting pond set in the marble pavement. The brilliant green of the pond and the manicured myrtles growing along its edges provide a sharp contrast to the white marble of the surrounding courtyard. Surrounding the Court of Myrtles are the rooms of the Palacio de Comares (Comares Palace). The Facade of Comares, to the west of the courtyard, is an ornamental gateway constructed in the 14th century by Muḥammad V. It was in this area that the sultan customarily held audience with his vassals.
The Patio de los Leones (Court of the Lions) is an oblong court 116 feet (35 metres) long and 66 feet (20 metres) wide. Surrounding the court is an ornately decorated gallery supported by 124 white marble columns. A pavilion with filigree walls and a wooden domed ceiling, perhaps modeled upon a Cistercian lavabo, projects into the court at each extremity. The colonnade is paved with white marble, and in the centre of the court is the Fuente de los Leones (Fountain of the Lions), an alabaster basin supported by the figures of 12 white marble lions, emblems of strength and courage.
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- Murud-Janjira – Murud, Maharashtra, India. The Murud-Janjira is a massive island fortress located off the coast of India. The fort is completely surrounded by 40’ high walls and 19 rounded bastions.
- Le Mont-Saint-Michel – Le Mont-Saint-Michel, Normandy, France. Le Mont-Saint-Michel is known for being an isolated abbey located on an island of the coast of Normandy, France.
- Edinburgh Castle – Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland. Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, is home to one of the world’s most impenetrable castles. Edinburgh Castle is positioned on top of Castle Rock, giving it a commanding view over the entire city.
- Hohensalzburg Fortress – Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria. Salzburg is one of the largest cities in Austria, and the name Salzburg translates to Salt Fortress.
A fortress is a building designed to be defended, which means it was very hard for enemies to get inside. Fortification kept the people inside safe. There is little difference between a fortress and a castle.
Sep 3, 2019 · HISTORY MAGAZINE. The 'Lion Fortress' of Sri Lanka was swallowed by the jungle. Built in the fifth century, Sri Lanka’s Sigiriya fortress attracted the attention of British archaeologists in...
