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Old 14th May 2014, 06:33 PM   #28
fernando
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Portugal
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ibrahiim al Balooshi
...e.g. at Barka has vanished; incorporated into the surrounding old houses construction which can be seen .
Typical ... also over here. The local fort in my home town was once almost swallowed by houses, till some good soul from the authorities demolished a few of them... to recuperate historic dignity and aesthetics.


Quote:
Originally Posted by Ibrahiim al Balooshi
...There are differing types of reconstruction down the ages;
1. Preparing the forts for cannon. .
Yes, in the most varied ways, according to period specialists and their origin. For example, sometimes you open embrasures in the walls for the cannons, other you build access ramps in which cannons shoot over the walls, an easier process. I can see both systems in mine and next town fortresses.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ibrahiim al Balooshi
... 2. Running repairs say after heavy rains or part collapse....
A critical and chronic situation. Cements were not so good those days; walls used to fall apart in no time. Also artillery degradated a lot. I can read reports from local fort Captains claiming for repairs and gun replacements every now and then. One of the reasons is also because, depending on timely strategies forts were abandoned for long periods, nobody caring to maintain them in the meantime and, when you decide is vital to use them again, the whole thing is in bad shape and requiring lots of work.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ibrahiim al Balooshi
... 3. The third type of renovation is because of tourism requirements.....
The more risky part. That's when they decide to transform a genuine monument into showbusiness ... either to please the sponsor or enjoy the indifferent visitor.

But you miss a fourth part, which is 'deconstruction'; something ocurred in not so old days, at least over here. Palaces and castles were partly dismantled to use the stones in other constructions; either donated by the State to those interested in building their own facilities or even the castle owner himself to make another palace or a chapel around the corner. I know about both specific cases.
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