donjon
Fortress's central stronghold
A donjon is the main tower of a medieval castle—the fortified inner keep that served as the last refuge during attack.
The word shares origins with dungeon, though donjon refers to the tower itself rather than underground prison cells.
The donjon rose above the castle walls, visible for miles.
Underground cell with ceiling hatch
- cellBasic unit of life
- prisonConfinement for offenders
- captivityState of being confined
- chainsLinked metal restraints
shackles · manacles · dank · gloom · torture · imprisonment · confinement · jailer
Fortified urban stronghold
- bastionFortified defensive position
- bulwarkDefensive fortification or safeguard
- rampartFortified defensive wall
- redoubtEnclosed temporary fortification
fortress · stronghold · palisade · parapet · stockade · entrenchment · emplacement · blockhouse
Fortified medieval residence
- baileyCastle's enclosed courtyard
- curtain wallNon-load-bearing outer shell
- portcullisVertical sliding castle gate
- battlementsNotched defensive wall top
moat · drawbridge · gatehouse · barbican · embrasure · parapet · loophole · armory
oubliette
Underground cell with ceiling hatch
chains · shackles · manacles · dank · gloom · torture · imprisonment · confinement · jailer · warden
citadel
Fortified urban stronghold
- bastionFortified defensive position
- bulwarkDefensive fortification or safeguard
- rampartFortified defensive wall
redoubt · fortress · stronghold · palisade · parapet · stockade · entrenchment · emplacement · blockhouse · acropolis
castle
Fortified medieval residence
- baileyCastle's enclosed courtyard
- curtain wallNon-load-bearing outer shell
- portcullisVertical sliding castle gate
battlements · moat · drawbridge · gatehouse · barbican · embrasure · parapet · loophole · armory · great hall
- castleskeep, moat, drawbridge, turret, battlements
- castle partsmoat, keep, drawbridge, battlement, tower
- fortificationsfort, fortress, fortresses, citadel, citadels
- towerstower, bell tower, radio tower, water tower, cell tower
- Norman EraNormans, William the Conqueror, Norman conquest, Domesday Book, Battle of Hastings
- medieval Frenchtroubadours, chevalier, chateau, seigneur, chansons de geste
donjonoutbuildings
Secondary structures on property
stables · barracks · servants' quarters · storehouse · postern