A donjon, also known as a keep or a tower, is a fortified structure that was commonly found in medieval castles. It was designed to be the last line of defense in the event of an attack, and was typically the tallest and most heavily fortified structure within the castle walls. The donjon was often the residence of the lord or noble who owned the castle, and was also used as a place of refuge for the castle's inhabitants during times of war or siege. The design of a donjon varied depending on the specific castle and its location. In some cases, the donjon was a standalone structure, while in others it was integrated into the castle's walls. The walls of the donjon were typically very thick, and were constructed from durable materials such as stone or masonry. The entrance to the donjon was often protected by a drawbridge, and a number of arrowslits were built into the walls to allow defenders to shoot arrows at attackers. Inside the donjon, there were usually several levels, each with its own specific purpose. The lower levels were often used for storage, while the upper levels were used as living quarters for the lord and his family. The top level of the donjon was often a large hall, known as the Great Hall, which was used as a gathering place for the castle's inhabitants. Despite its defensive purpose, the donjon was often decorated with ornate elements such as statues, crenellations, and gargoyles. These decorative elements served to symbolize the power and authority of the lord who owned the castle, and were often used to intimidate potential attackers.
donjon, keep, tower, fortified, last line of defense, residence, refuge, thick walls, drawbridge, arrowslits, storage, living quarters, Great Hall, ornate, symbols of power
CITATION : "Anthony Smith. 'Donjon.' Design+Encyclopedia. https://design-encyclopedia.com/?E=254055 (Accessed on April 29, 2025)"
The term 'donjon' is used to describe the fortified tower or keep of a medieval castle. It is a self-contained, heavily fortified structure that was designed to withstand and delay an enemy assault. Constructed from durable materials such as masonry and stone, a donjon was typically the last line of defense in a castle's defense system. A donjon is usually the tallest structure in a castle and served as a refuge for the castle's inhabitants in times of attack. As a symbol of power and authority, a donjon was often decorated with decorative elements such as statues, crenellations and gargoyles.
Fortress, Stronghold, Stronghold Keep, Tower, Moat.
As an architect, the term Donjon has a very specific meaning. A Donjon is a defensive tower, typically found within a castle. It is usually the tallest structure within the castle and is often the last line of defense in the event of an attack. It typically contains a staircase leading to the upper levels, which were used as living quarters by the castle’s occupants. Inside the Donjon, a number of rooms were used for storage and a large hall, known as the Great Hall, was used as a gathering place. As a defensive structure, its walls were very thick and its entrance was often protected by a drawbridge. In addition, a number of arrowslits were built in the walls, allowing defenders to shoot arrows at attackers.
Fortification, Stronghold, Turret, Bastion, Keep
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