Vista del puente levadizo del Castillo. Fotografía de principio del s. XX, Colección Manuel Bustamante, Universidad de Miami (UM). |
El puente levadizo comunica el camino serpenteado que le sigue a la puerta principal de la fortaleza con la Plataforma de San Juan, su obra de avanzada. Se construía de forma mixta, con una parte fija con una base de pilares de madera, ladrillos o mampostería, y la otra parte levadiza, con un tablero de madera del ancho de la puerta que la cerraba cuando se elevaba. El puente debía suspenderse con un mecanismo de cadenas o masas cilíndricas de hierro. Al levantarse este puente se cerraba el acceso al parapeto aspillerado de la plataforma, aislando la fortaleza a través del foso.
Vista del puente levadizo en 1898-1899 durante la ocupación norteamericana |
The Drawbridges of Castillo de San Severino: The first protected entrance
The bridges were fundamental features of fortifications. Their function was not only to connect different spaces built for a defense that was separated by the moat but also to create obstacles in case it was necessary. They can be classified as drawbridges, movable, immovable or dormant, swing bridges, etc. San Severino had two: one drawbridge and one immovable or dormant bridge.
The bridges were fundamental features of fortifications. Their function was not only to connect different spaces built for a defense that was separated by the moat but also to create obstacles in case it was necessary. They can be classified as drawbridges, movable, immovable or dormant, swing bridges, etc. San Severino had two: one drawbridge and one immovable or dormant bridge.
A modern view of the reconstructed drawbridge, looking west. |
The drawbridge communicated the access way that follows the main gate of the fortress with San Juan’s Platform, the forts’ advanced defense. It was built with a fixed part, which had a base of wooden pillars and bricks or masonry. The movable part consisted of a wooden board the same size of the door that closed when it was raised. The bridge was to be suspended with a chain mechanisms or cylindrical iron counterweights. When the bridge was lifted, the access to the platform’s parapet was closed, allowing the moat to isolate the fortress. Today the elevating grating mechanism has disappeared.
During the restoration carried out in 2006, it was possible to recover part of the lifting drums that were used to draw the bridge up. Masonry pillars replaced the wooden pillars of the bridge in 1851. The bridge disappeared after years of abandonment but was again erected during the restoration in 2008, although as a dormant bridge this time.