Walls And Fortresses

Luxembourg
The Casemates of Bock
November 8, 2019
The stamp depicts the remains of a massive fortress originally built by Count Siegfried on the Bock promontory in 963 AD.

Forgive me if this is a stupid question, but would CASTLES fall under this category? Is every castle an actual fortress? I was just about to start a new topic-topic, and a search found only this one that was similar. We don't have ancient castles here in the US, so to me, it would be a different topic... hence my asking you all first!

Mexico
500th Anniversary of Founding of Veracruz
April 19, 2019
The stamp depicts San Juan de Ulúa, a large complex of fortresses, prisons and one former palace overlooking the seaport of Veracruz on the coast of Gulf of Mexico.

As an answer to Nells. At least in Europe, "castle" (derived from the Roman "castrum") is originaly a militar stronghold (fortress). Although some, over the years, have had more residential that militar use. Hence, sometimes, also "castle" = "Royal/noble House".

I would say that the true European meaning of castle is what in America is called a "Fort". In Latin and many derived languages "Fort" means strong. So, it can derivate from "strong House/Building".

Perhaps, it could be a good idea to start a "Palaces" tòpic.

What a fantastic reply, cursus! Thank you, sir, for your continuing, highly informative posts. I would have just said to Nells250, Yeah, do castles. But now, armed with all the nuanced meanings of the various terms, she can make a much more informed decision. It's people like you that really add great quality and usefulness to this site.

Just noticed a Fortresses & Castles thread pre-existing.
https://goscf.com/t/63801&whichpage=1#621215

Thank you very much for your nice words, although I hardly deserve them. I was born, rised and still live on a city (Barcelona, Catalonia, SW Europe) founded by the Romans, more than 2000 years ago. My country, Catalonia, is full of castles (we call them in Catalan, "castells") some, even older than the Romans and going back to Greek or Iberian times (700 to 500 years B.C.). So I should know, as I'm a fan of European history.

I see, that you're from California. The first Europeans that settled your State were Catalans. Gaspar de Portolà was born in Balaguer (Catalonia) and Fra Juniperus Serra was from the Catalan-`speaking island of Majorca (Mallorca, for us). I look forward to come one day!

Croatia
Towers and Fortresses I
October 26, 2001
Walls of Ston are a series of defensive stone walls, originally more than 7 kilometers long, that surrounded and protected the city of Ston in Dalmatia. It was completed in the 15th century, along with its 40 towers and 5 fortresses.

Brazil
Military Architecture
August 19, 1992
Set of two, one stamp depicts Forte de Santo Antônio on the Island of Ratones Grande in Florianópolis, State of Santa Catarina.

Serbia
Tourism
August 21, 2019
Sokobanja is a medieval city and fortress 2 km east of the spa town of Sokobanja. The fortress was founded in the 6th century during the reign of Eastern Roman Emperor Justinian I.

Finland
Suomenlinna
January 12, 2000
Suomenlinna is an 18th-century sea fortress and nature area with centuries-old artillery and defensive walls, spread across eight linked islands about 4 km southeast of the city of Helsinki.

Lower Fort Garry in Manitoba on the shores of the Red River built in 1837 and now a National Historic Site.

Ah yes, but those are postcards... Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Austria
Austrian landmarks
September 12, 2013
Festung Hohensalzburg sits atop the Festungsberg, a small hill in the Austrian city of Salzburg. Construction of the fortress began in 1077, the ring walls and towers were built in 1462.

This one punt/pound stamp (Sc. #555) from Ireland's "Architecture" definitive series of 1982-90 depicts Cahir Castle.

From the irishtourism.com website, "Cahir Castle, one of the largest ancient castles in Ireland, was built in County Tipperary in 1142 by Conor O'Brien, Prince of Thomond on an island in the river Suir...During the Irish Confederate Wars (1647-50) the castle was besieged twice...In 1961 the last Lord Cahir died and the castle reverted to the state."