El Poble-sec in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain — Southwestern Europe (Iberian Peninsula)
El baluard de Santa Amàlia
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The Santa Amàlia Bastion
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, April 29, 2022
1. El Baluard de Santa Amàlia / The Santa Amàlia Bastion Marker
El baluard de Santa Amália és una plataforma defensiva que s'eleva fins a 14 metres per damunt del fossat. El seu flanc meridional es defineix a partir d'un perfil corb o orellana que sobresurt per protegir una poterna, petita porta de comunicació entre la plataforma i el fossat per mitjà d'una escala interior. Tanmateix, presenta un talús o escarpa de carreus de pedra en filades regulars i amb farciment de maçoneria de pedra i calç. Al bell mig del baluard es troba un pou que comunica amb la cisterna subterrània de dues naus, la qual es nodreix d'aigües pluvials i era la principal proveïdora d'aigua de la fortalesa.
El baluard és una estructura que sobresurt dels angles d'una fortificació i que projecta més enllà del cos principal els punts de defensa contra l'assalt de les tropes enemigues, tant les de l'altra banda del fossat com aquelles que ja hi haguessin pogut accedir. Sovint disposava d'un pla en forma de diamant, o triangular, i sempre servia com a plataforma avançada per a l'artilleria, de manera que el foc enemic es veia obligat a situar-se lluny de la fortalesa i a traçar estratègies de setge basades en l'excavació de trinxeres paral·leles i ramals en ziga-zaga. Les peces d'artilleria s'ubicaven en unes troneres obertes al
this page online
The Santa Amália Bastion is a defensive platform that stands 14 metres above the moat. Its southern flank describes an ear-shaped curve, which protrudes to shelter a poster, a small door opening onto an interior staircase that communicated the top of the bastion with the moat. It features a talus or sloping escarp built of stone laid in regular rows and pointed with stone and lime mortar. Exactly in the middle of the bastion, there is a well that connects to an underground cistern with two chambers. This collected rainwater and was the main supplier of water to the fortress.
A bastion is a structure that juts out at an angle to a fortification, projecting the defensive structures beyond the main body of the castle to better protect it against assault by enemy troops, against both those positioned on the far side of the moat and those who had already occupied it. Bastions often had a diamond-shaped or triangular layout and always provided an advanced artillery platform, so that the enemy was forced to keep its distance and use siege strategies based on the excavation of trenches in parallel with zigzagging branches. The artillery was located in embrasures opened in the walls, as shown by the remains of the metal rails that were used to move the cannons on this bastion.
El baluarte de Santa Amàlia
El baluarte de Santa
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, April 29, 2022
2. El baluard de Santa Amàlia / The Santa Amàlia Bastion Marker - wide view
El baluarte es una estructura que sobresale de los ángulos de una fortificación y que, más allá del cuerpo principal, proyecta los puntos de defensa frente al asalto de las tropas enemigas, tanto las que quedaban al otro lado del foso como aquellas que ya habían podido acceder al interior. A menudo disponía de un plano en forma de diamante, o triangular, y siempre servía como plataforma avanzada para la artillería, de manera que el fuego enemigo se veía obligado a situarse lejos de la fortaleza y a trazar estrategias de acecho basadas en la excavación de trincheras paralelas y ramales en zig-zag. Las piezas de artillería se ubicaban en unas troneras abiertas en el muro, tal como se puede observar en los vestigios de los rieles metálicos que servían para mover los cañones en este baluarte.
Le bastion de Santa Amália est une plate-forme
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, April 29, 2022
3. Marker illustration: The Santa Amàlia Bastion
Le bastion est une structure qui dépasse les angles d'une fortification et qui projette, au-delà du corps principal, les points de défense faisant front aux assauts des troupes ennemies, tant celles qui restaient de l'autre côté du fossé que celles qui avaient pu accéder à l'intérieur. Souvent il disposait d'un plan en forme de diamant, ou triangulaire, et il servait toujours de plate-forme avancée pour l'artillerie, de manière à ce que le feu ennemi se voit obligé de se tenir loin de la forteresse et de tracer des stratégies d'accès basées sur le creusement de tranchés parallèles et des chemins en zig-zag. Les pièces d'artillerie se situaient dans des meurtrières ouvertes dans le mur, comme on peut le voir dans les vestiges de rails métalliques qui servaient à déplacer les canons dans ce bastion.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Forts and Castles.
Location. 41°
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, April 29, 2022
4. View of Barcelona, looking north from the Santa Amàlia Bastion
Regionally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, in Europe, in the European Union, in Atlantic Europe, on the Iberian Peninsula, in the Schengen Area, in a coastal Mediterranean country, and in the Western World. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Byzantine Empire, a Spanish colony, and the Roman Empire.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: La Ciutat Bombardejada / The Bombardment of the City (here, next to this marker); Catalan Flag raised (a few steps from this marker); La bandera i el Castell / The flag and the castle (a few steps from this marker); L’orellot de Santa Amàlia / The Santa Amàlia Orillon (within shouting distance of this marker); L'afusellament del president Lluís Companys / The Execution of President Lluís Companys (within shouting distance of this marker); Montjuic Castle (within shouting distance of this marker); Méchain Etablí les Coordenades de Barcelona / Méchain Establishes the Coordinates of Barcelona (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); El Pont d’accés i la façana / The Entrance Bridge and the Façade (about 90 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Barcelona.
More about this marker. The is on the north side of the bastion.
Also see . . . Montjuïc Castle (Wikipedia). Overview:
Montjuïc Castle (Catalan: Castell de Montjuïc, Spanish: Castillo de Montjuich) is an old military fortress, with roots dating back from 1640, built on top of Montjuïc hill in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. It currently serves as a Barcelona municipal facility.(Submitted on May 19, 2026.)
Credits. This page was last revised on May 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 19, 2026, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 8 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 19, 2026, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
