You’re looking at Elsinor Castle in Denmark, the setting for Hamlet, Shakespeare’s most performed, most quoted and longest play. The design is called the “Star Fort” and it became common in Europe and, later in North America, with the advent of gunpowder in the 1500s. The star design allowed bastions to better withstand cannon balls and other projectiles. By contrast, the high, straight walls of medieval castles were easily compromised by such weapons, so designers came up with something new. Yes, the construction was hugely expensive, but necessary. This of course brings us to the Seagram Building in Manhattan, where I used to work, and why it was groundbreaking for its time.
© 2024 John Oliver
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