MILITARY TOPOGRAPHIES: EARTH FORTRESSES BETWEEN BORDERS
Gilberto Carlos
CICRA-Research Centre at ESG
ESG/ Escola Superior Gallaecia
Largo das Oliveiras, 4920-275 Vila Nova de Cerveira, Portugal
Tel. (+351) 251 794054, Fax (+351) 251 794054
E-mail: gildc.esg@gmail.com
Mariana Correia
CICRA-Research Centre at ESG
ESG/Escola Superior Gallaecia
Largo das Oliveiras, 4920-275 Vila Nova de Cerveira, Portugal
Tel. (+351) 251 794054, Fax (+351) 251 794054
E-mail: arqmarianacorreia@gmail.com
Theme 3: Techniques, construction, research and development
Key words: Earthen fortresses, military heritage, research in architecture.
Abstract (300 to 500 words):
(Framework) The present paper intends to address military earthen architectural heritage,
investigated at CICRA-ESG, the research centre from Escola Superior Gallaecia, dedicated to
scientific research in heritage, architecture, ecology, landscape and sustainability. This paper
was based on the research project CADIVAFOR (Catalogação, digitalização e valorização das
fortalezas defensivas da fronteira: Galiza - Norte de Portugal). The research project concerned
specifically defensive fortresses, around the international river Minho. Its principal goals were to
identify, to classify and to give significance to the military heritage existing on the border
between Galicia, in Spain, and the north of Portugal. The results provided a solid framework
when addressing safeguard projects and conservation intervention. The research project was a
joint partnership between CIEFAL-ICOMOS (Centro Internacional de Fortificação e Apoio
Logístico do ICOMOS) the International Centre for Fortresses and Logistic Support of ICOMOS,
situated in Ferrol (Spain), CICRA-ESG from Escola Superior Gallaecia, located in Vila Nova de
Cerveira (Portugal) and CIS-Galícia, Galician Centre for Technology and Design, in Ferrol
(Spain). This research was initiated in 2005 and concluded in 2008, under the framework of the
financed program INTERREG IIIA.
(Background) The most recognized military earthen heritage in Portugal is located in the south
of the country, in the regions of Alentejo and Algarve. This heritage is composed by Islamic
fortresses, from the 8th to 13thcenturies, built in military rammed earth. In general, these
fortresses were located in urban centres, in important rural communities and in strategic places,
in order to protect the coast line and the natural accesses to the inner territory. The military
rammed earth had a more complex composition (lime, natural pozzolans, and aggregates) than
the traditional rammed earth; therefore it was used in defensive structures. In the north of
Portugal, several other earthen fortresses were recently identified, dated from a later historical
period, the Restoration period, 17thcentury. These fortresses were built with a clear distinct
military typology and origin from those from the south of the country. In addition, in terms of
building technique and composition they are both quite different.
(Paper objectives) The scientific content of this paper concerns a deeper study and
identification of the earthen fortresses, located in the north of Portugal and south of Galiza. The
paper addresses the origin of these military topographies; the research analyses of the historic
and geographic context; the relation with the architectonic archetype, its spatial implementation;
as well, as the importance of the construction system applied. In balance, this investigation aims
to contribute for the awareness of existing earthen military heritage, which has been until very
recently, unknown. Furthermore, the paper aims to contribute for the need to advance research
and knowledge in earthen cultural heritage.
(More information below)
Curriculum (50 words – maximum per author):
Gilberto Carlos: architect graduated from FAUTL, Lisbon. He has a scientific academic
internership at Todai Tokyo´s University, Japan. He did research in East Timor and
Mozambique. He is doing a PhD in Architecture, at Univ. Coruña, Spain. He is a resident
researcher and assistant teacher at ESG/Escola Superior Gallaecia, Portugal.
Mariana Correia: architect with a Master’s from CRATerre-ENSAG, France, and FAUTL,
Portugal. She is concluding her PhD, at Oxford, UK. She is the President of Foundation
Convento da Orada; member of Board of Directors at Escola Superior Gallaecia, Portugal and
ICOMOS-ISCEAH; member of ICOMOS-Vernacular Architecture; PROTERRA network; Chair
UNESCO-Earthen architecture.
(Note 1: The current abstract was published as a paper, at MEDITERRA 2009 proceedings)
(Note 2: Clarifications from the organizers are in blue)