Martello tower
|
| Martello Tower, Shenick Island, east of Skerries, County Dublin, Ireland. |
Martello towers (also referred to as martellos) are round, low towers that served as defensive forts. Their name is derived from a type of watch tower that dates back to the 1500s and was found in Cape Mortella, Corsica.
Martello towers had guns placed on their flat roofs to protect the coastline of the British Empire during the time of the French Revolutionary period, dating from the 1790s until the 1870s. These sturdy structures were built in distant parts of the British Empire, including South Africa, Canada, Australia, the United States and other locations.
Their practicality eventually faded after military tactics and equipment became more powerful and sophisticated. However, many still survive, despite their obsolescence, and the concept has been revived by the British (and other countries) several times.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
Editor's broadbrush view on forms of electrical heating in context.
The pace of heating change; BSRIA market intelligence
Electric Dreams, Boiler Realities.
New President of ECA announced
Ruth Devine MBE becomes the 112th President of the Electrical Contractors Association.
New CIAT Professional Standards Competency Framework
Supercedes the 2019 Professional Standards Framework from 1 May 2025.
Difficult Sites: Architecture Against the Odds
Free exhibition at the RIBA Architecture Gallery until 31 May.
PPN 021: Payment Spot Checks in Public Sub-Contracts
Published following consultation and influence from ECA.
Designing Buildings reaches 20,000 articles
We take a look back at some of the stranger contributions.
Lessons learned from other industries.
The Buildings of the Malting Industry. Book review.
Conserving places with climate resilience in mind.
Combating burnout.
The 5 elements of seiri, seiton, seiso, seiketsu and shitsuke.
Shading for housing, a design guide
A look back at embedding a new culture of shading.
The Architectural Technology Awards
The AT Awards 2025 are open for entries!
ECA Blueprint for Electrification
The 'mosaic of interconnected challenges' and how to deliver the UK’s Transition to Clean Power.
Grenfell Tower Principal Contractor Award notice
Tower repair and maintenance contractor announced as demolition contractor.