9 Aerial Views That Prove Why Star Forts Are So Beautiful
Star forts, while having a delightfully whimsical name, originated under somewhat dark circumstances—the invention and use of cannons and gunpowder in warfare. Prior to their creation in the mid-15th century, medieval forts were typically defended by archers, who simply needed the higher ground to have an advantage over their enemies. But when cannons were loosed upon the old-style fortresses, the architecture has to adapt to the new weaponry. Thus, star forts, or bastion forts, were built, as they maximized defensiveness against cannonball impacts and offered better protection and better views of the battlefield for those inside the fort. As the best view of a star fort is, unsurprisingly, from above, we’ve rounded up nine still-standing examples of the advance fortified structures from around the world.
Photo: Getty Images1/9Fort Bourtange, Netherlands
One of the most well-preserved examples of a star fort, Fort Bourtange was built in 1593. It was converted from a fort to a village in 1851.
Photo: Getty Images/George Steinmetz2/9Willemstad, Netherlands
The Dutch city of Willemstad, for which the capital of Curaçao is named, was established in 1585, and its star fort was constructed shortly thereafter.
Photo: Getty Images3/9Saint-Martin-de-Ré, France
Architect Vauban was commissioned by Louis XIV in the late 17th century to reconstruct the fortifications of this town, located at a strategic position on an island on France’s west coast.
Photo: Getty Images4/9Kastellet, Copenhagen
Built in 1664, Copenhagen’s citadel is still an active military site, though it also serves as a public park and a historic monument.
Photo: Getty Images/Greg Pease5/9Fort McHenry, Baltimore, Maryland
This American star fort, built in 1798, is most famous as the inspiration for the national anthem, Francis Scott Key’s Star Spangled Banner, which he penned after the Battle of Baltimore during the War of 1812.
Photo: Getty Images6/9Goryokaku, Japan
Star forts were not limited to the Western world. This example in Japan was built in 1855 by Takeda Hisaburō, who was inspired by the works of Vauban.
Photo: Getty Images7/9Palmanova, Italy
Venetian architect Vincenzo Scamozzi built this nine-pointed star fort in 1593 under the ideals of utopia (inspired by Sir Thomas More’s Utopia).
Photo: Getty Images8/9Citadel Hill, Halifax, Canada
Though the hill had been fortified since 1749, the current star-shaped citadel was built in 1846. It operates as a historic site today, restored to its Victorian-era grandeur.
Photo: Getty Images/Hans Blossey9/9Naarden, Netherlands
Established in 1300, the town of Naarden was taken over by Spanish troops in 1572, and when the Dutch regained control shortly thereafter, they built up its fortifications. But it was conquered 100 years later by Louis XIV. The fort as it stands today was completed in 1685.
