Médiévales - Année 1994 - Volume 13 - Numéro 26 - Pages 103-121From the Fortified Castle to the Fortress. A Short History of Italian Military Architecture from the Xlth to the XVIth Century - The evolution of military architecture is directly related to that of arms and military equipment. The fortified castle serving as stronghold, residence, and shelter for the population in times of danger, underwent a radical change when the invention of gunpowder and subsequently the artillery rendered it ineffectual. However, the change form medieval weapons to fire arms was gradual, and for a time both were used. The progressive improvements of the efficacity of the artillery finally led, after a transitional period of fifty years, to the adoption of the garnisoned fortress and fortifications whose essential element was the bastion. This system of defense, perfected and adapted to the terrain but with non fundamental changes, stayed in use until the nineteenth century. This article also stresses the Italian contribution to military architecture and systems of defense, and its spread and influence throughout Europe. 19 pages Source : Persée ; Ministère de la jeunesse, de l’éducation nationale et de la recherche, Direction de l’enseignement supérieur, Sous-direction des bibliothèques et de la documentation.