Artillery barriers built by the Catholic Monarchs in the Granada coastal fortifications: the Castles of Almuñecar and Salobreña

Abstract

[EN] In 1489, after the surrender of the coastal towns of Almuñecar and Salobreña during the Granada War (1482-1492), the Catholic Monarchs immediately set about repairing and improving the military defences of the castles situated in both towns. Due to the important efficiency displayed by the pyroballistic artillery during that war in order to attack and seize the fortresses and towns of the Nasrid Kingdom, the old Andalusi walls were unable to withstand the attacks, therefore the monarchs, together with the captains of their artillery immediately began to adapt the fortifications that had been conquered to make a stand against the new weapons. Basically this led to the construction of artillery barriers based on the experience of those fortresses constructed or adapted during the 15th century in Castile. Particular reference was taken from the important construction of the Castle of la Mota in Medina del Campo. In this article there will be a study of the features of the artillery barriers built in both fortresses.