Defensive Architecture and the Oval Shape in Military Treatises between the 16th and 18th Centuries

A reassessment of 16th and 17th-century military treatises reveals that the oval shape, though marginalized by the dominant polygonal 'alla moderna' fortification paradigm, was conceived as a cultivated alternative. While theoretical challenges hindered its widespread adoption in large urban fortifications, smaller coastal strongholds like Fort Pâté, Fort Louvois, and Fort Lupin—part of Vauban's Atlantic coastal defense network—demonstrate its practical feasibility. These findings highlight the oval's potential as an effective design matrix in specific defensive contexts, bridging theoretical innovation with operational implementation.

Zerlenga, O., Cicala, M., Miele, R., & Cirillo, V. (2026). Defensive Architecture and the Oval Shape in Military Treatises between the 16th and 18th Centuries. PROCEEDINGS of the International Conference on Fortifications of the Mediterranean Coast FORTMED 2026. Vol. 22. https://doi.org/10.4995/fortmed2026.2026.21380