Le cittadelle pentagonali: dalle rive del Po alle coste dello Stato deiPresidi

• Francesco Broglia ^[1]
  1. [1] Università eCampus, Novedrate (Como) Italia
• Localización: FORTMED2023. Defensive architecture of the mediterranean : vol. XIII, XIV, XV / Marco Giorgio Bevilacqua (dir. congr.), Denise Ulivieri (aut.), 2023, ISBN 978-84-1396-129-3, págs. 295-302
• Idioma: italiano
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• Resumen

  • This study aims at defining the structural and defensive characteristics of the Renaissance pentagonal citadels in the Po Valley and at comparing them with the fortified structures of the Presidium State. The five-sided bastioned fortresses, such as those in Piacenza and Parma, built on a land which is a river itinerary on the route that joined Genoa and Venice, are a pragmatic “topos” and at the same time a symbolic value, of the Renaissance military leaders. The comparison between the bastioned citadels built in the Po Valley not far from the banks of the river Po and the coastal fortifications such as those found in the State of the Presidi highlights a little, albeit limited, common defensive features but also some different inspiring principles and constructive and strategic ideals. The study showed that not only did the geo-topographical location of the fortified structures influence their constructive philosophy, but above all the relationship between the Prince and his territory played a primary role in defining and inspiring the strategies and construction solutions adopted to construct these defensive complexes. Using a metaphor, it is possible to say that each pentagonal citadel constitutes a “move” of the Prince on a chessboard, namely the Po Valley, where what can make a difference in the subjugation of the adversaries is the use of a fortified castle scheme, based on the five-sided polygon. Its analysis allows us to distinguish the type of defensive provision and to identify a scenario that outlines the conceptual and philosophical meaning of the “central plan”, as well as the functional advantages of this choice in the art of war.