Ayr Citadel (5)
This style of fortress was built all over Europe (and far beyond) through the 17th and 18th centuries and into the 19th century. They were, for obvious reason, usually referred to as "star forts". By the time of the Napoleonic War, 150 years after this one was built, they represented the pinnacle of military engineering and the siege and assault of such famous fortress towns as Ciudad Rodrigo and Badajos by Wellington's army in Spain, is the stuff of military legend.
I have shown with red lines where the ramparts and bastions of Ayr Citadel are, or where there are good indications that they originally were. The rest is easy to extrapolate.
Not a single building within the citadel dates back to when it was built, with the exception of the church of St John the Baptist, which was used by Cromwell's soldiers as a look-out tower as well as an armoury and chapel. The congregation had been forced out and the Auld Kirk of Ayr came to be built to house them with some financial assistance from Cromwell. The 'Citadel' church was in public use again between 1687 and 1689, after which it ceased to be used for worship and much of it was demolished, the tower itself only being spared as it was a valuable sea-mark for sailors and a look-out for ships. (The tower stands among the trees beyond Cromwell's all-weather tennis courts!)
Ayr Citadel (5)
This style of fortress was built all over Europe (and far beyond) through the 17th and 18th centuries and into the 19th century. They were, for obvious reason, usually referred to as "star forts". By the time of the Napoleonic War, 150 years after this one was built, they represented the pinnacle of military engineering and the siege and assault of such famous fortress towns as Ciudad Rodrigo and Badajos by Wellington's army in Spain, is the stuff of military legend.
I have shown with red lines where the ramparts and bastions of Ayr Citadel are, or where there are good indications that they originally were. The rest is easy to extrapolate.
Not a single building within the citadel dates back to when it was built, with the exception of the church of St John the Baptist, which was used by Cromwell's soldiers as a look-out tower as well as an armoury and chapel. The congregation had been forced out and the Auld Kirk of Ayr came to be built to house them with some financial assistance from Cromwell. The 'Citadel' church was in public use again between 1687 and 1689, after which it ceased to be used for worship and much of it was demolished, the tower itself only being spared as it was a valuable sea-mark for sailors and a look-out for ships. (The tower stands among the trees beyond Cromwell's all-weather tennis courts!)