6 Star Shaped Forts You Must Visit

Star-shaped forts are a particularly interesting type of fortification. They first appeared around the time that gunpowder became commonly used in warfare (first seen in the mid-15th century in Italy). The unusual shape of the forts and the fact that they were made of hard-to-shatter brick (rather than the traditional stone) helped the forts stand up to cannonball fire. These incredible structures are among the most memorable, the most beautiful, and the most historically important forts from around the world.

# Fort Carré, France

Fort Carré is a 16th-century fort on the outskirts of Antibes, France. The fort was built by architect Henri de Mandon. Reworked by Vauban at the end of the 17th century, the fort was never captured by enemies. Fort Carré of Antibes played an important role in the town's defences in 1860, the year when the county of Nice was annexed to France. During the French Revolution, Napoleon Bonaparte was briefly imprisoned here.

# Naarden, Netherlands

Naarden is an example of a star fort, complete with fortified walls and a moat. The walls and the moat have been restored and are in a very good state. This fort has an intriguing star shape with six points. These points are called "the bastions" with the small island fortress in between, called "ravelins". Inside the fortress is located the town of the same name.

# Kronborg, Denmark

Kronborg is a castle and star fortress in the town of Helsingør, Denmark. The castle is situated on the extreme northeastern tip of the island of Zealand at the narrowest point of the Øresund, the sound between Denmark and Sweden. In this part, the sound is only 4 km (2.5 mi) wide, hence the strategic importance of maintaining a sea fortress at this location commanding one of the few outlets of the Baltic Sea.

# Fort de La Prée, France

The Fort de La Prée is a French fortification located near the eastern end of the Ile de Ré (an island off the west coast of France). The fort was built by French officer Toiras, Governor of the island, following the capture of the recovery of the island by Royal troops against Huguenot insurgents in the Siege of Saint-Martin-de-Ré (1625).

# Castle of Good Hope, South Africa

The Castle of Good Hope is a star fort built in the 17th century in Cape Town, South Africa. Originally located on the coastline of Table Bay, following land reclamation the fort is now located inland. In 1936 the Castle was declared a national monument and following restorations in the 1980s it is considered the best preserved example of a Dutch East India Company fort.

# Fort Independence, USA

Fort Independence is a granite star fort that provided harbor defenses for Boston, Massachusetts. Located on Castle Island, Fort Independence is the oldest continuously fortified site of English origin in the United States. The existing granite fort was constructed between 1833 and 1851. Today it is preserved as a state park and fires occasional ceremonial salutes. Fort Independence was added to the National Register of Historical Places in 1970.