Hmm, you are right Marco, it should be consistent with the title.
Here's an idea: maybe I should add castles which (almost) certainly had swallowtail merlons before 1450 to a separate layer?
(18-09-2021, 01:38 PM)Koen G Wrote: You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.Here's an idea: maybe I should add castles which (almost) certainly had swallowtail merlons before 1450 to a separate layer?
Thank you Koen, this sounds like an excellent idea!
The Fenis Castle that David mentioned above can enter the list (You are not allowed to view links.
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EDIT: You are not allowed to view links.
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I suggest always adding the location when castles are mentioned: there are dozens of "castelli viscontei" / "castelli scaligeri" etc.
Okay, I'll get on it. Castell l'Arquato posted by Nablator above seems like a safe bet as well given the political connection. The Greek castle he posted seems less self evident, though it would be an interesting entry. You are not allowed to view links.
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This inscription from Castell'Arquato (mentioned by Nablator) appears to be authentic.
It is dated MCCLXXXXII (1292) and the last line mentions "De Spectinis", the ruling family at the time.
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It is the stone on the right in this picture:
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MCCLXXXXII HOC FACTUM FUIT TEMPORE REGIMINIS [DOMINI] TEDIXII DE SPECTINIS POTESTATIS CASTRI ARCUATI
1292 - This was made at the time of the government of Tedixius (Tedesio) De Spectinis, ruler of Castell'Arquato
Interesting, this would be the earliest clearly dated example.
What's up with this "Ghibelline corridor" here? It must have something to do with the position of the castles in the mountains.
[
attachment=5845]
(18-09-2021, 01:25 PM)nablator Wrote: You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.Bourtzi fortress, Karystos, Euboea, Greece (ca. 1350)
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As far as I can tell, this is reliable. These fortifications were built by the Venetian Republic, possibly a little later than 1350.
This part of the fortress clearly has never been restored and a single merlon still stands at the right of the octagonal tower:
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I think that the better-preserved buildings also are in their original state:
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Since Venice controlled so many Greek islands, I guess that we will find many similar buildings there.
(18-09-2021, 03:36 PM)Koen G Wrote: You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.Interesting, this would be the earliest clearly dated example.
What's up with this "Ghibelline corridor" here? It must have something to do with the position of the castles in the mountains.
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Basically, the main route between Italy and Northern Europe.
The fortifications of Rhodes have swallow-tail merlons. JKP and Aga discussed them in the past and (if I understand correctly) they both appear to be sceptical. In my opinion, the available evidence suggests that they should be accepted.
The merlons are reproduced in You are not allowed to view links.
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According to wikipedia, You are not allowed to view links.
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I will add them. We can allow for some speculation now that we separate the strict "depiction" layer from the building layer.
Rimini, You are not allowed to view links.
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Better photograph at You are not allowed to view links.
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It is interesting that the castles of Fenis, Bellinzona and Locarno have the same architectural style. They also have about the same age.
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