ABOUT THE BASTION

Martinengo Bastion is a prime example of state of the art renaissance military architecture. This is in stark contrast to its peaceful and secluded setting, which is some distance from the centre of Famagusta. Unfortunately, it seems to be little known and rarely visited by residents and visitors alike. The Bastion was created by the Venetian architect Giovanni San Michelle over a period of almost 10 years. The Venetians realised that this corner of Famagusta city’s defences was weak and this structure was designed to strengthen the northwest corner. Access to the interior is through dual ramps designed to allow easy access for horses and heavy munitions to supply the cannon to the interior of the bastion.

THE CONSERVATION PROJECT

A “Survey, Investigations, Assessment and Project Design’ study was carried out between April and January 2015. The condition assessment report describes the Martinengo Bastion as “generally very stable”, but identified a series of issues such base and undercut of the bedrock right over the earthen floor of the moat, cracks in the bedrock on which some parts of the bastion sits, capillary water action occuring in many places, stains and salts in the vaults and interiors coming from water percolation from above, stone ashlars at the apex of the vault ceilings in all diagonal passageways suffering from significant loss of materiíal; lack of visitor safety and control measures. particularly on the upper portions. The conservation project addressed all the points identified above.

A completion ceremony was held on 12 September 2017, attended by hundreds of Cypriots.