A citadel is a fortified enclosure.
The notion of citadel comes from the Italian word cittadella . In the concept, the influence of the term city is noted: an urban space administered by a city council or municipality that is characterized by the large number of buildings, the high population density and the economy based on non-agricultural activities.
Returning to the idea of a citadel , the notion refers to a fortified enclosure that is located inside a city or a stronghold (a strategic place that has the capacity to resist an extensive siege). Citadels were common in ancient times , generally having a moat and bastions or bastions.
Characteristics of a citadel
The citadel is often considered a small city that was located inside a larger city . It is also often said that a citadel was a fortress with defensive walls and different buildings.
Citadels were generally sought to be built in protected sites thanks to natural conditions (for example, on high ground ). An esplanade used to separate them from the city and they had a zigzag corridor behind the portico to impose an additional difficulty on the eventual invader.
The construction of the citadel was intended to provide shelter to its inhabitants and facilitate the defense of the area. Depending on the region, the citadels had different qualities and even acquired specific names.
The Alcazar and the Kremlin
Sometimes particular names are used to refer to citadels in certain countries or with certain features. In Spain , to mention one case, a palace or a fortified castle is called an alcázar .
The Real Alcázar of Seville , in this context, is a palace complex that was born in the Early Middle Ages . The emir Abderramán III ordered its construction in the year 914 and thus a wall was built that was attached to another from Roman times, surrounding a citadel. Inside this citadel there were barracks, stables and other rooms.
If we go to Russia , we find the krémlines : walled enclosures that protected the most important buildings of a city. The best known is the Moscow Kremlin, with walls and towers that protect four cathedrals and four palaces .
In Russia, a kremlin is a protected area with walls that protect important buildings.
Machu Picchu, the Inca citadel
It is common for Machu Picchu to be named after an Inca citadel . However, there are experts who maintain that the concept is not appropriate since Machu Picchu would not have had military use.
Beyond this distinction, in colloquial language Machu Picchu is often mentioned as a citadel. The complex has an urban sector and an agricultural sector, separated by a staircase, a moat and a wall.
Name of several current localities
Ciudadela is also the name of different geographical divisions or administrative entities today. In Argentina , Ciudadela is a city that is part of the Tres de Febrero district ( province of Buenos Aires ).
Ciudadela makes up what is known as Greater Buenos Aires , which includes the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires and the surrounding cities. It was founded at the end of 1910 and has more than 73,000 inhabitants .
In Spain , meanwhile, is Ciudadela , a city on the island of Menorca (autonomous community of the Balearic Islands ). About 30,000 people live in this area which has very popular beaches.