The Mediterranean vanguard of Modern fortification: Benedetto da Ravenna and Portugal – Vila Viçosa and Mazagan

Abstract

Benedetto da Ravenna (c. 1485 – 1556) was one of the most requested military engineers of his time, serving Carlos V and Isabel of Portugal, the Consort Queen of Spain since 1526 and also Empress Roman-Germanic (1530-1539) - a powerful Lady and a beloved wife, perhaps being why Benedetto was borrowed to her brother, the King John III. We don’t sure dates, although it can be admitted that the construction of the very new “Artillery Castle” of Vila Viçosa for the Duke of Bragança, could happen in 1535. That was the returning time (accompanying the commander Infant Luís of Portugal, Chief of the Portuguese branch of the Knights of the Hospital) after the glorious campaign of Tunes (with an important Portuguese participation), on the way for his resting in Seville. The request of the Portuguese king to his brother-in-law was newly attended in 1541, when Benedetto made an important (and better known) inspection in some Portuguese cities in Morocco (Septa, Tangier and Mazagan). The vanguard’s tracing that he gave for Mazagan’ plan is the first perfect European bulwarked fortification (even if it was accomplished in Africa). We intend to contribute to the discussion of the astonishing biography of Benedetto, which crossed all the Mediterranean to imprint his genius in the Modern Military Architecture.