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Vauban fortification

Star-shaped military fortification developed by the Frenchman Vauban in the 17th century.

See Vauban fortification in : french | spanish

barrack buildings

Buildings used as living and instructional quarters for the garrison.

battlement

Wall allowing defenders of the fortification to fire from a protected position.

embrasure

Aperture in the battlement to allow for gun and cannon fire.

bastion

A fortified projection consisting of two faces and two flanks, designed to reinforce a stronghold.

face

Side of the bastion exposed to the enemy.

flank

Part of the bastion between the curtain wall and the face, making it possible to fire parallel to the face of the neighboring bastion.

tenaille

Fortification made up of two faces forming an angle opening inward, placed in front of the curtain wall and designed to shield it.

demilune

Freestanding triangular fortification placed in front of a curtain wall and having a firing surface.

caponiere

Path dug through the moat to provide access to freestanding fortifications such as the demilune.

postern

Secret door built into a rampart.

terreplein

Horizontal surface of a bastion designed to accommodate the artillery.

counterguard

Freestanding fortification that protected the faces of the bastion and allowed the artillery to dominate the glacis.

glacis

Sloping terrain surrounding a fortification to conceal the covered ways and the counterscarp.

covered way

Walkway built along the counterscarp and protected by the height of the glacis.

rampart

Thick wall forming the enclosure of the fortified place.

moat

Trench surrounding defensive works.

guardhouse

Structure serving as living quarters for the guards.

salient angle

Projecting angle of the fortification, protecting the covered way.

ground sill

Fortification of earth or masonry perpendicular to the covered way and specially designed to protect the defenders against ricochets.

counterscarp

Outer wall of a moat, opposite the fortified place.

bartizan

A sentry box projecting from a wall used to survey the surrounding area.

scarp

Inner wall of a moat, closest to the fortified place.

retrenchment

Raised fortification of a bastion allowing the artillery to dominate the terrain.

parade ground

Area serving for the assembly of troops.

parapet walk

Passageway along a wall, making it possible to shoot and perform surveillance.