Il sistema difensivo costiero della Sardegna dai mastros agli ingegneri militari tra fondazioni e restauri (XVI-XIX secolo)

The establishment of Sardinia’s defensive system unfolded over a broad timespan, beginning in 1587 with the initiative of Philip II, King of Spain, to construct coastal towers for the Mediterranean war, marked by the creation of the Royal Administration of Towers, and concluding at the end of the 18th century with the diminishing need for defensive measures, a prelude to the definitive abolition of the Administration in 1842. In this complex and costly endeavour to control and protect the territory, the role of military engineers was pivotal from the very outset. This was exemplified by the 1577 report by military engineer Rocco Cappellino, who prepared topographical maps of Sardinia depicting 33 coastal towers. His work provided valuable insights for improving and enhancing the defensive system. Later, the engineer De Vincenti significantly contributed by proposing a new arrangement and design for the coastal towers, which became the cornerstone of the island’s defensive system. His efforts included an exploratory journey along the coastline, during which he documented the number and distribution of towers, listing 82 in total, and meticulously described their locations, conditions of preservation, and the repairs required for each. It is worth noting that for a considerable time, much of the technical work, both in the conceptual and execution phases, was carried out by ordinary master builders. The archives hold a vast collection of documents relating to the design of the towers and the planning of maintenance works. These records reveal not only the structural and typological characteristics of these architectural features but also the extent of the knowledge possessed by the workforce and military engineers. The latter, like De Vincenti, were often engaged in civil or religious projects, during which they demonstrated significant technical and formal expertise