17th century military architecture

17th-century military architecture evolved to enhance defense against gunpowder artillery. Fortifications featured thick, angled walls called bastions, allowing defenders to cover all approaches with overlapping fire and eliminate blind spots. These structures often included moats,drawbridges, and glacis slopes for added protection. Design emphasized durability and strategic positioning, with star-shaped plans becoming common to maximize artillery elements’ effectiveness. This period saw a shift from medieval castles to more sophisticated, scientifically-informed fortresses designed for modern warfare, blending architectural ingenuity with military science to better withstand sieges and artillery attacks.