Portcullis
The portcullis (also portcullis ) is part of the gate construction of late antique and medieval city fortifications and castles .
Portcullis usually consist of wooden beams joined together in a grid shape, which are often reinforced with iron fittings. The gate is moved vertically and is usually guided in lateral wall gutters. With the help of chains and shafts , it is drawn up and lowered. The stable wooden construction can be lowered very quickly and strengthens the door when it is closed. The portcullis can also be used to prevent opponents who have already entered the gatehouse from retreating .
Portcullis on Harburg Castle , inside
Iron portcullis at Stirling Castle
Portcullis at the Palazzo d'Accursio, Bologna
Wall gutters of a portcullis of the castle ruins in Hastings
literature
- Christofer Herrmann: portcullis and drawbridges. In: Joachim Zeune (ed.): "Dem Feind zum Trutz". Defense elements on medieval castles (= publications of the German Burgenvereinigung eV, series B: Writings. Volume 14). German Castle Association, Braubach 2015, ISBN 978-3-927558-38-0 , pp. 153–158 ( digitized version ).
- Gerhard Hess: The portcullis on Trostburg and Rodenegg Castle. In: ARX. Castles and palaces in Bavaria, Austria and South Tyrol . Volume 38, No. 2, 2016, ISSN 0394-0624 , pp. 22–28.
