AS Lu, Fortificazioni della Città e dello Stato 42, n.5 a.b.c.d., particolare

The Keeps

The keeps built between 1516 and 1522 represented the first attempt made by the Government of the Republic to adapt the Walls to the defence requirements posed by the development of artillery. They were leaning directly against the Medieval Walls and were built in number of seven: six of the same structure and size and one so different to deserve the name, which has come down to us, of 'bastard'.

In this watercolour drawing, datable between 1574 and 1589, three keeps are visible to the north and the 'bastard' is visible to the east. In the plan marked with the letter I, the access tunnels to the keeps are indicated. We are right now in the gallery of Santa Croce Keep, on the top left, marked with the writing "s.ta +. The keeps are still visible in some of the basements and emerge in the upper part of San Colombano, Santa Croce, San Martino and del Salvatore bastions.

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