Fortifications

The opus gallicum in the fortifications

The presence of a curious wall bond consisting of timber elements inserted in the stone masonry and serving a structural function can be observed in many Molisian fortifications. After the deterioration of the wooden elements only the casements remain, which must not be confused with the putlog holes. The arrangement of poles or beams (sometimes they form a real framework) still leaves doubts regarding the actual static contribution given to the masonry structures. The idea that this represents a construction abnormality, a naive attempt to bind parts of the masonry, should be reconsidered in light of the growing number of such structures that are being discovered. The procedure is very old (it was already used in the terrepleins of protohistoric times) and was described by Julius Caesar (De Bello Gallico). Rather common in the architecture of the Middle Ages, this system continued to be applied until more recent times.
The Molisian examples concern particularly the fortifications, structures for which quick execution was an important factor. The most interesting examples are found at the castle of Roccamandolfi and at the Magliano tower in the town of S.Croce. In the former case we find rows of holes located one above the other at sufficiently regular intervals in the wide escarped curtain wall and in the walls of the “chevalier” towers; at the Magliano tower, the remaining holes outline a double mesh of bars: radial to the masonry with a small circular cross section, and longitudinal with a larger four-sided section. Other examples exist in Longano (Riporse castle) and Palata (Castellerce ruins).

Roccamandolfi

Magliano

Magliano

	Roccamandolfi