Moats

NOTES: Himeji Castle is the finest example of Japanese castle architecture. It comprises a network of 83 buildings, with fortifications. The castle is also known as the White Egret (Hakuro-jo) or White Heron (Shirasagi-jo) for its brilliant white exterior and resemblance to a bird taking flight. The castle was originally built as a hillfort in 1333. In 1346 it was dismantled and remodelled as a castle. It was significantly remodelled over the next three centuries and completely rebuilt 1601-1609. It has survived bombings and earthquakes and remains intact. It was nominated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993 and has recently undergone an extensive restoration programme, which has restored the formerly grey roof to its original brilliant white colour. It re-opened in 2015.

NOTES: This fortress on the banks of the Adige was built by the Scaligers in 1354-1355 and the main tower was completed in 1375. The interior was converted into the Civico Museo d'Arte in 1964 by Carlo Scarpa.

NOTES: On the far left is the Castillo de la Real Fuerza (1562-1577). See RIBA158707 for a colour version of this image.

NOTES: On the far left is the Castillo de la Real Fuerza (1562-1577)

NOTES: The castle was begun in 1589 and not completed until 1630 by Cristobal de Roda Antonelli (his nephew). See RIBA155408 for a colour version of this image.

NOTES: Built between 1558-1577, it was the first bastioned fortress to be built in the Americas. The engineer was Bartolome Sanchez, under the direction of the architect Francisco de Calona. See RIBA158709 for a colour version of this image.

NOTES: Built between 1558-1577, it was the first bastioned fortress to be built in the Americas. The engineer was Bartolome Sanchez, under the direction of the architect Francisco de Calona. See RIBA146275 for a colour version of this image.

NOTES: Built between 1558-1577, it was the first bastioned fortress to be built in the Americas. The engineer was Bartolome Sanchez, under the direction of the architect Francisco de Calona. See RIBA146254 for a black and white version of this image.

NOTES: Built between 1558-1577, it was the first bastioned fortress to be built in the Americas. The engineer was Bartolome Sanchez, under the direction of the architect Francisco de Calona. See RIBA146254 for a black and white version of this image.

NOTES: Built between 1558-1577, it was the first bastioned fortress to be built in the Americas. The engineer was Bartolome Sanchez, under the direction of the architect Francisco de Calona. See RIBA158721 for a colour version of this image.

NOTES: A late Elizabethan moated, timber-framed manor house, built in 1582 by John Caryl encasing an earlier 15th century hall house. In 1884 the house was sold to Wickham Flower, who as a founder member of SPAB (Society for the Preservation of Ancient Buildings) commissioned Philip Webb to restore it, and to layout the ornamental gardens incorporating the medieval moat. Two extensions were added by Webb (1885-1887 and 1893-1894). After Flower's death in 1904, the house was sold and a new wing added to the north by the architect and landscape designer Inigo Thomas.