Fortification

From open-encyclopedia.com - the free encyclopedia.

Nakhal Fort, one of the best-preserved forts in Oman. Photographed by Andy Carvin, October 2003.

Bourtange fortification, restored to 1750 situation, Groningen (province), Netherlands

Fortifications are military constructions designed for defensive warfare. They have been used for many thousands of years, in a variety of increasingly complex designs. The practice of improving an area's defense is also known as "fortification". Many military installations are known as forts, although they are not always "fortified".

The art of laying out a military camp or constructing a fortification has often been called castrametation, since the time of the Roman legions. The art of laying a siege to a fortification and destroying it was usually called poliorcetics. In some texts this term is also applied to the art of building a fortification.

List of fortifications
List of forts

Fortification

See also