Venetian Island-Fortresses – Renaissance Innovation of Military Architecture

Abstract

The paper seeks to demonstrate the importance of the Venetian island-fortresses for the history of military architecture, as well as their innovative character. It will take into account both finality, and their components, to observe the architectural elements chosen to form the layout, as well as its overall positioning. Starting from the idea for the sea rock used as gun position, the Venetian architects and engineers took this further and produced entire small islands covered in defensive walls. The development of the Venetian island-fortress encompasses the forts San Andrea (Lido) and San Nicolo (Sebenico), but also the lesser studied Suda and Spinalonga (Crete). They share not only a commonality of function, but they also present similar design features stemming from the philosophical approaches to defense architecture of the Renaissance.