Editing Medieval fortification (section)

==Transition to modern fortification==
From the mid-15th century onwards, the power of cannons grew and medieval walls became obsolete as they were too thin to offer any realistic protection against prolonged [[bomb]]ardment.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Pañeda Ruiz|first1=José Manuel|title=Evolution of siege techniques: From the Catholic Monarchs to Vauban|url=http://www.militaryarchitecture.com/images/stories/docs/evolution_of_siege_techniques.pdf|website=MilitaryArchitecture.com|access-date=22 October 2015|pages=6–7|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150810180853/http://www.militaryarchitecture.com/images/stories/docs/evolution_of_siege_techniques.pdf |archive-date=10 August 2015}}</ref> As a consequence of this, medieval walls were often upgraded with the addition of artillery platforms or bastions, and battlements were replaced by thick parapets with [[embrasure]]s. In many cases, the medieval walls were dismantled and their stonework, which was still valuable as construction material, was reused in the construction of the new fortifications.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Spiteri|first1=Stephen C.|title=A ''Cubete Artillero'' at Mdina? – Gunpowder fortifications in Late Medieval Malta|journal=Proceedings of History Week|date=2009|pages=150–159|url=http://melitensiawth.com/incoming/Index/Proceedings%20of%20History%20Week/PHW2009/10s.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160414181507/http://melitensiawth.com/incoming/Index/Proceedings%20of%20History%20Week/PHW2009/10s.pdf |archive-date=14 April 2016}}</ref> The resulting space is often seen in old city centers of Europe even to this day, as broader streets often outline where the old wall once stood (evident for example in [[Prague]] and [[Florence, Italy]]).

The transition between medieval and early modern fortification can be seen in the [[fortifications of Rhodes]] in Greece and the [[fortifications of Famagusta]] in Cyprus.<ref>{{cite book|editor1-last=Walsh|editor1-first=Michael J. K.|editor2-last=Coureas|editor2-first=Nicholas|editor3-last=Edbury|editor3-first=Peter W.|title=Medieval and Renaissance Famagusta: Studies in Architecture, Art and History|date=2012|publisher=Ashgate Publishing, Ltd|isbn=9781409435570|page=191|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6NnDOZeKR80C&pg=PA191}}</ref>