Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised May 30, 2026

Fighting platform

A fighting platform or terrace is the uppermost defensive platform of an ancient or medieval gateway, tower and breteche. The fighting platform is surrounded by a parapet, usually a battlement.

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Fighting platform on a tower source ↗

A fighting platform or terrace1 is the uppermost defensive platform of an ancient or medieval gateway, tower (such as the fighting platform on a bergfried) and breteche. The fighting platform is surrounded by a parapet, usually a battlement.

Whilst in warmer climates (for example in the Mediterranean region) the platforms were usually open, in Central Europe they were frequently covered by a roof structure (on towers by a spire or tented roof).

References

References

  1. Kaufmann, J.E. and Kaufmann, H.W (2001). The Medieval Fortress, Cambridge, Massachusetts, Da Capo, p. 29. ISBN 978-0-306-81358-0.