architecture

6 incredible star forts

by deputydog ⋅ 02 / 02 / 2008 ⋅ post a comment

star forts are incredible, relatively unappreciated structures that have recently become a fascination of mine - humungous constructions that only really become visually stunning when you look down on them from above. this type of fortification design was adopted in the early 16th century as people realised that simpler, often circular forts were pretty crap when it came to the job in hand: defense.

many of them still stand today in varying sizes. some are empty, some contain ruins. some, as you’ll see below, contain entire villages. be sure to check out the source links at the bottom for more info.

so here are 6 of the best star forts on earth…

1. palmanova, italy (google maps / wiki)

2. bourtange, the netherlands (google maps / wiki)

3. goryokaku, japan (google maps / wiki)

4. almeida, portugal (google maps / wiki)

5. saint-martin-de-ré, france (google maps / wiki)

6. naarden, the netherlands (google maps / wiki)

sources: 1, 2, 3, 4

discussion

84 comments for “6 incredible star forts”

  1. Here’s a couple of more that I just came to think of because they’re close to where I live.

    Landskrona Citadell
    http://bbs.keyhole.com/ubb/showthreaded.php/Number/98846

    Copenhagen Citadell
    http://bbs.keyhole.com/ubb/showthreaded.php/Number/66334

    posted by Ian | 2nd of February, 2008, 5:59 pm

  2. Star Fort in the United States.

    posted by Pete McRod | 2nd of February, 2008, 7:21 pm

  3. IF ALL THE RIVERS AND STREAMS WERE TURNED AWAY FROM THE OCEAN THEN ALL PARTS COULD HAVE FRESH WATER CHANNELS RUNNING THROUGH OUT THE UNITED STATES AND THEIR WOULD BE AN ABUNDANT OF FISHING, PLUS SWIMMING, PLUS PLENTY OF WATER FOR FIRE TRUCKS, FARMING, ETC.

    posted by michael schmitz | 2nd of February, 2008, 7:59 pm

  4. Fort Wood!!! a star shaped fort, best known now as the base of the Statue of Liberty:
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Liberty_Island.jpg

    it’s just across New York Harbor from another star shaped fort- Fort Jay:
    http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=fort+jay&ie=UTF8&ll=40.691296,-74.014957&spn=0.009908,0.019913&t=h&z=16&om=0

    posted by J$ | 2nd of February, 2008, 10:10 pm

  5. http://maps.google.es/maps?f=q&hl=es&geocode=&q=jaca&ie=UTF8&ll=42.572504,-0.552835&spn=0.007395,0.014591&t=h&z=16&om=0
    here is the castle of Jaca, Spain
    bye

    posted by gorka | 3rd of February, 2008, 1:56 am

  6. http://maps.google.es/maps?f=q&hl=es&geocode=&q=pamplona&ie=UTF8&ll=42.812088,-1.649537&spn=0.007367,0.014591&t=h&z=16&om=0
    Another one in Pamplona, Spain

    posted by gorka | 3rd of February, 2008, 2:00 am

  7. There’s also “The Citadel” in Halifax, Nova Scotia (Canada)

    http://www.destination-ns.com/common/property.asp?DirectoryID=20

    posted by scotchneat | 3rd of February, 2008, 3:52 am

  8. The reason star forts developed was the advent of gunpowder weapons. They were designed to produce overlapping fields of fire.

    posted by John | 3rd of February, 2008, 5:30 am

  9. The old city in Fredrikstad is known to be the best preserved fortified town in Northern Europe. Picture from above: http://www.iffr.net/meeting/Fredrikstad_1.JPG

    posted by Kristin | 3rd of February, 2008, 7:18 am

  10. Fort Morgan, Alabama

    Google Map (converted to a TinyURL)
    http://tinyurl.com/386vl6

    and a photo:
    http://www.forttours.com/images/fortmorgan.jpg

    posted by Rich Marini | 3rd of February, 2008, 8:27 am

  11. Fort Monroe, Virginia
    http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=fort+monroe&ie=UTF8&ll=37.004575,-76.306508&spn=0.009116,0.018582&t=h&z=16&iwloc=addr&om=0

    posted by Glenn | 3rd of February, 2008, 8:42 am

  12. Here’s one I’m surprised no one has linked to - Fort McHenry of Star Spangled Banner fame.

    http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=Fort+McHenry+Tunnel,+Baltimore,+Baltimore,+Maryland,+United+States&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=38.963048,95.800781&ie=UTF8&cd=6&geocode=0,39.260500,-76.578160&ll=39.263205,-76.579428&spn=0.00466,0.011694&t=h&z=17&om=0

    posted by chas | 3rd of February, 2008, 3:22 pm

  13. there was one in New York, on Bedloe’s Island… Bedloe’s Island is no longer called Bedloe’s Island. The foundations of the fort are still there, and form the base of a statue.

    posted by phillip taylor | 3rd of February, 2008, 10:08 pm

  14. Fort build in cape town 1666.

    http://www.southafrica-travel.net/westcape/cato_02.htm

    posted by ewie | 3rd of February, 2008, 11:34 pm

  15. The Castle in Cape Town, South Africa:
    http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o270/bogg69/TheCastle-CapeTown-SouthAfrica.jpg

    posted by The Mighty Bogg!! | 3rd of February, 2008, 11:37 pm

  16. Here’s “The Castle” in Cape Town, South Africa.

    http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Cape+Town,+South+Africa&ie=UTF8&ll=-33.926064,18.428128&spn=0.012802,0.020578&t=k&z=16&iwloc=addr&om=0

    posted by Farrel | 3rd of February, 2008, 11:43 pm

  17. Charles Fort, Kinsale, Ireland

    http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=charles+fort,+kinsale,+ireland&ie=UTF8&ll=51.696365,-8.498864&spn=0.002434,0.003766&t=h&z=18&om=0

    posted by ryan | 3rd of February, 2008, 11:58 pm

  18. http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=57.044792,24.041176&spn=0.009116,0.026436&t=h&z=16&om=0

    Fort of Daugavgriva, Riga, Latvia

    posted by gusc | 4th of February, 2008, 12:11 am

  19. What? No Nicosia Cyprus Walls?

    http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=57.044792,24.041176&spn=0.009116,0.026436&t=h&z=16&om=0

    posted by krull | 4th of February, 2008, 12:53 am

  20. whoops! Sorry wrong link:

    http://maps.google.com/?q=Nicosia,+Nicosia,+Cyprus&ie=UTF8&ll=35.175352,33.361316&spn=0.027817,0.040083&t=h&z=15&om=0

    posted by krull | 4th of February, 2008, 12:56 am

  21. St Augustine, FL -small star fort

    http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=st+augustine&ie=UTF8&ll=29.897434,-81.31196&spn=0.004167,0.0078&t=h&z=17&om=0

    posted by roboboy | 4th of February, 2008, 1:21 am

  22. Alba Iulia, Romania
    http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Alba+Iulia,+Romania&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=24.495996,58.710937&ie=UTF8&ll=46.068616,23.574171&spn=0.020872,0.057335&t=h&z=15&om=0
    This one is under UNESCO, and it has been restored partially

    Arad, Romania
    http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=arad,+Romania&sll=46.068616,23.574171&sspn=0.020872,0.057335&ie=UTF8&ll=46.170975,21.334248&spn=0.020833,0.057335&t=h&z=15&iwloc=addr&om=0

    posted by Sitov Cristian | 4th of February, 2008, 1:27 am

  23. Fort William, Kolkata, India
    http://maps.google.co.nz/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=Kolkata,+Kolkata,+West+Bengal+India&ie=UTF8&cd=1&geocode=0,22.572646,88.363895&ll=22.557487,88.33952&spn=0.008184,0.020084&t=h&z=16&om=0
    Still an active military base!

    posted by Jeremy | 4th of February, 2008, 1:36 am

  24. neuf-brisach, france

    posted by toby | 4th of February, 2008, 1:54 am

  25. missed link:
    http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=neuf-brisach&sll=46.204161,-1.365695&sspn=0.017613,0.035706&ie=UTF8&ll=48.01819,7.528896&spn=0.008511,0.017853&t=k&z=16&iwloc=addr&om=0

    posted by toby | 4th of February, 2008, 1:55 am

  26. I collected a number of views on historical Dutch towns in a KML file, see my blog post on that here. Many of these are star shaped defenses too.

    posted by Martijn | 4th of February, 2008, 2:10 am

  27. Brilliant read - I had no idea these types of fortifications existed. But sadly made no more, I would love to live in a place like this. Great, especially all the other star mentions in the comments.

    posted by Irregular Activity | 4th of February, 2008, 3:54 am

  28. The citadel at plymouth. Modified star shape to repell attack from sea and land.

    http://maps.google.co.uk/?ie=UTF8&ll=50.364271,-4.136181&spn=0.00503,0.014334&t=k&z=17&om=0

    posted by alex | 4th of February, 2008, 4:30 am

  29. Barely visible from the water, the Halifax Citadel was designed for defense against heavy naval guns.
    Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

    posted by Paul Gunn | 4th of February, 2008, 4:31 am

  30. Quebec City’s La Citadelle:
    http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=la+citadelle+quebec&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=25.299514,58.710937&ie=UTF8&ll=46.807271,-71.204646&spn=0.010633,0.028667&t=k&z=16&om=0

    History of La Citadelle:
    http://www.lacitadelle.qc.ca/section.php?lang=en&id=5

    posted by drudru | 4th of February, 2008, 5:36 am

  31. There is also the Quebec City citadel that probably qualifies

    http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=Quebec,+Qu%C3%A9bec,+Quebec,+Canada&ie=UTF8&cd=1&geocode=0,46.812740,-71.219350&ll=46.807462,-71.207027&spn=0.009914,0.020084&t=h&z=16&om=0

    posted by Francis | 4th of February, 2008, 5:46 am

  32. you should check out Nicosia Cyprus the entire city is a star fort..by the Venicians…unfortunetely now it is divided (and occupied) in two (the only capital in the world) due to an illegal Turkish invasion in 1974.

    posted by andreas | 4th of February, 2008, 5:55 am

  33. thanks a bunch as a child I grew up visiting star forts and it is cool to see more.

    http://wwww.ecobeater.com

    posted by gordon | 4th of February, 2008, 6:51 am

  34. Very cool! Here’s one:

    Remnants of Fort Pitt. In Pittsburgh. Very small, tho.

    http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=40.441558,-80.010896&spn=0.002221,0.004302&t=h&z=18&om=0

    posted by Shawn | 4th of February, 2008, 8:17 am

  35. Slavonski Brod, Croatia, Europe
    http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=45.156138,18.008416&spn=0.006416,0.020084&t=h&z=16&om=0

    posted by Jasmin | 4th of February, 2008, 8:32 am

  36. Here’s another one, in Portugal. The city near it is contained within a fortress, too, which is also losely shaped like a star.

    http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=pt-PT&geocode=&q=elvas&sll=38.014964,-7.856169&sspn=0.028705,0.067377&ie=UTF8&ll=38.872951,-7.15785&spn=0.003546,0.008422&t=k&z=18&om=0

    posted by Paulo Meireles | 4th of February, 2008, 10:50 am

  37. The star shape is from Vauban a French engineer. It is designed against artillery fire. Basically there are no straight line of fire to reach the center and inside the fort you can kill the artillery units from the points.

    posted by Fred | 4th of February, 2008, 10:59 am

  38. Look up Lucca, Italy on Google Earth. Just a short distance east of Pisa. Very nice star fort, considered one of the most intact in existence. I walked through the park on top of the wall - very cool.

    posted by Bill | 4th of February, 2008, 11:02 am

  39. Another, in New York State
    Fort Ticonderoga
    (google maps satellite view)
    http://tinyurl.com/2ezebg

    posted by Stephen Dennis | 4th of February, 2008, 11:41 am

  40. I`ve seen one in Alessandria, Italy.
    You can´t enter it, cause it´s a military facility:

    http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=de&geocode=&q=alexandria+italy&ie=UTF8&ll=44.921011,8.605084&spn=0.009405,0.020084&t=h&z=16&om=0

    posted by alex | 4th of February, 2008, 11:51 am

  41. http://www.nps.gov/drto
    What about Fort Jefferson?
    Biggest coastal fort in US.

    posted by david | 4th of February, 2008, 12:43 pm

  42. Hey you,

    they look amazing. Have a look at the city of Emden, East Frisia in the north west of Germany.
    It’s the same.

    posted by Steph | 4th of February, 2008, 2:38 pm

  43. Well, it’s not a starfort, but I think You should like it.
    http://www.fahrenheit.net.pl/archiwum/f15/elements/sepolno.jpg
    http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=pl&geocode=&q=Wroc%C5%82aw&ie=UTF8&ll=51.110582,17.099319&spn=0.012044,0.028925&t=k&z=15&om=1
    It’s a city district in Wrocław, Poland, built in the times when it was a German territory, in a shape which ought to resemble a eagle from the German coat of arms. You may notice that the architect had a sense of humor and the eagle is, in fact, a male :]

    posted by Kamil | 4th of February, 2008, 7:16 pm

  44. 2 others from germany:
    frankfurt/main grew out of one. you could hardly see the starformed roads. the german word “Anlage” (like in “Bockenheimer Anlage” = streetname) means in this context “complex” or “construction”

    http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=de&geocode=&q=frankfurt,+germany&ie=UTF8&ll=50.113657,8.682826&spn=0.023475,0.039053&t=h&z=15&om=0

    an other is in berlin, the “zitadelle” in spandau

    http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=de&q=Alt-Pichelsdorf,+Spandau+13595+Berlin,+Berlin,+Berlin,+Bundesrepublik+Deutschland&sll=52.522488,13.212776&sspn=0.089094,0.156212&ie=UTF8&cd=1&geocode=0,52.511530,13.199579&ll=52.540815,13.212905&spn=0.005566,0.009763&t=h&z=17&om=0

    with some interesting history
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spandau_Prison

    posted by matthias | 5th of February, 2008, 4:57 am

  45. Thanks, DD and other contributors, these are breathtaking! Always learn something new from you, DD. Keep them coming…

    posted by Sparkle | 5th of February, 2008, 1:30 pm

  46. im supprized that no one has remembered that the statue of liberity is in a star fort

    http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=statue+of+liberty&ie=UTF8&ll=40.689392,-74.044697&spn=0.002815,0.003701&t=h&z=18&om=0

    posted by Michael | 5th of February, 2008, 3:02 pm

  47. @michael

    its an asset to be capable of reading.
    —> post No.4 by “j$”

    posted by HagenVonTronje | 6th of February, 2008, 3:10 am

  48. Charles Fort in Kinsale Co Cork is well worth a visit if you are in Ireland. I it is a fine example of a star shaped fort.
    Interesting factoid - It was surrendered to Irish forces by Percival in 1922. He was later to hand Singapore over to the Japanese in 1941.

    posted by Conor B Buckley | 6th of February, 2008, 9:12 am

  49. I love your blog! You always have the most interesting info!

    posted by Maria | 6th of February, 2008, 4:38 pm

  50. I don’t think I’m the only one who sees a star here:
    http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=38.906831,-77.03712&spn=0.020839,0.03974&t=k&z=15&om=0

    This is, of course, Washington DC…
    Ed

    posted by Ed | 6th of February, 2008, 9:01 pm

  51. Göteborg (Gothenburg) in Sweden was built that way from the beginning, but nowadays only the moat remains.
    http://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bild:Goteborg1705.jpg
    http://maps.google.se/maps?f=q&hl=sv&geocode=&q=g%C3%B6teborg&ie=UTF8&ll=57.70456,11.964626&spn=0.030725,0.073299&t=h&z=14&om=0

    Google maps is very low quality, so take a look at
    http://geoimager.lantmateriet.se/dkny/product_info.php?products_id=17
    Follow the river west towands it’s mouth, while zoomed, and you might find Alvsborgs fastning.
    http://www.alvsborgsfastning.se/EN/home.html

    posted by Oskar | 8th of February, 2008, 2:48 pm

  52. There is a star fortress i Slavonski Brod, Croatia.

    posted by Beno | 9th of February, 2008, 1:25 am

  53. Riga, Latvia
    http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=riga&ie=UTF8&ll=57.044605,24.042184&spn=0.007809,0.028667&t=k&z=16&om=0

    posted by Mr. Alex | 9th of February, 2008, 3:44 am

  54. SEE ALSO ALBA-IULIA FORT.
    LATITUDE 46° 4′8.41″N
    LONGITUDE 23°34′21.59″E

    posted by Eduard BAICU | 13th of February, 2008, 5:46 am

  55. These places are so special.When u r in them u can’t even imagine where u are.But when see them like in these pics,they are truly awesome.

    posted by Saim Baig | 14th of February, 2008, 12:55 pm

  56. “…as people realised that simpler, often circular forts were pretty crap when it came to the job in hand: defense”

    But that was because in the 16th century weapons technology changed - proper cannons started to be used.
    Star forts mean that shots against the fort generally glance off the walls, or have to penetrate the walls at an angle - increasing the effective depth of the wall (this technique is used on some forms of Tank armour). If the shot is heading straight for one section, it must be at an angle to any other section. Each point of the star also means that anyone storming the fort enters a killing field between the points.

    posted by Joe | 21st of February, 2008, 11:58 am

  57. Sidebar.

    Bernard Palissy is ALSO known as one of the first ART Potters. His platters full of wildlife are in Lucky Museums around the world.

    Perhaps, someone who needs a Phd thesis Idea, could research Palissy as a latter day Leonardo.

    Maybe I’ll have to do that. Never knew about his Fortifications, only his Snake Platters. Thanks

    Greg

    posted by Watershed | 21st of March, 2008, 5:15 pm

  58. star fort: Ninty six in south carolina was one of the most important british strongholds during the revolution

    posted by ralph | 5th of April, 2008, 9:21 pm


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