Editing Turret (architecture)

{{Short description|Small tower that projects vertically from a building's wall; often a fortification}}
{{One source|date=August 2018}}
[[Image:turret (architecture) 1.jpg|thumb|upright|Turret (highlighted in red) attached to a tower on a baronial building in [[Scotland]]]]

In [[architecture]], a turret is a small circular [[tower]], usually notably smaller than the main structure, that projects outwards from a wall or corner of that structure.<ref>{{Cite book |title=A dictionary of construction, surveying, and civil engineering |date=2020 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-883248-5 |editor-last=Gorse |editor-first=Christopher A. |edition=Second |series=Oxford quick reference |location=Oxford |editor-last2=Johnston |editor-first2=David |editor-last3=Pritchard |editor-first3=Martin}}</ref> Turret also refers to the small towers built atop larger tower structures. 

== Etymology ==
The word ''turret'' originated in around the year 1300 from ''touret'' which meant "small tower rising from a city wall, castle, or other larger building."<ref>{{Cite web |title=turret {{!}} Search Online Etymology Dictionary |url=https://www.etymonline.com/search?q=turret |access-date=2024-11-19 |website=www.etymonline.com}}</ref> ''Touret'' came from the Old French term ''torete'' which is the diminutive form of ''tour'', meaning “tower.” ''Tour'' dates back to the Latin word ''turris'' which also means “tower.”

There is a record from 1862 of ''turret'' being used to mean "low, flat gun tower on a [[warship]]." Around this time, the word split into two separate definitions, with this definition being the one that goes on to describe [[gun turret]]s, a separate idea from the architectural element.

== Uses ==
Turrets initially arose on [[castle]]s out of a defensive need for greater visibility. Since they project outwards from the main structure, turrets gave [[garrison]]s a better line of sight to spot possible attackers. Thus, they also provided a better defensive position for defensive military forces to originate from. Turrets constructed above the rest of a structure only improve visibility, providing 360-degree views of the surrounding land allowing enemies to be spotted from further away. This provided more time for a [[:simple:Fortress|fortress’s]] defenders to prepare for an attack.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Chrissy |date=2020-11-19 |title=Castle Turrets Explained |url=https://historiceuropeancastles.com/castle-turrets/ |access-date=2024-11-19 |website=Historic European Castles |language=en-US}}</ref> Turrets offered greater resilience to attacks and were less vulnerable than free-standing [[Watchtower|watch towers]].

As their defensive necessity lessened, turrets began to be used as [[Ornament (art)|ornamental elements]] instead.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |url=https://study.com/academy/lesson/turrets-in-architecture-definition-design-construction.html |access-date=2024-11-19 |website=study.com}}</ref> Turrets were sometimes used to house staircases, and towards the end of the thirteenth century they became important in this fashion. They allowed for the staircases to occupy smaller spaces without affecting the layout of the structure to which they were attached.<ref>SAINT-PAUL, A., & Nodet, H. (1894). TOWERS AND TURRETS.--II. ''The American Architect and Building News (1876-1908)'', ''45''(969), 23-.</ref> Since turrets project outward from a structure, they directed attention, and more ornamentation was focused on them than the rest of the facade.

== Structure ==
Turrets could vary in size, although they all shared the appearance of small [[tower]]s, either built into walls or atop larger towers. They projected outward from the structure they were incorporated into, greatly contributing to the characteristics discussed in the "Uses" section. Turrets do not extend down to the ground like full-sized towers. When built into walls, turrets are generally found at the corner of structures where two walls meet. Sometimes, however, they are found in the middle of a wall.<ref name=":0" /> Since turrets projected outward from a structure, they had to be supported either by weight-bearing [[corbel]]s or be [[cantilever]]ed.<ref name=":1" /> This put a restriction on how large a turret could be constructed. Turrets were expensive to build, as hoisting stones high above the ground to construct them was highly laborious. It is thought that many were timber-framed and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cladding_(construction)#:~:text=Cladding%20is%20the%20application%20of,improve%20the%20appearance%20of%20buildings. cladded] in stone which would have reduced the weight needed to be supported by corbels/cantilevers and reduced the cost of construction.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Early medieval architecture |date=1999 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-210048-1 |editor-last=Stalley |editor-first=Roger A. |series=Oxford history of art |location=Oxford |editor-last2=Stalley |editor-first2=Roger}}</ref> Turrets were traditionally supported by a [[corbel]]. The top of a turret could be finished with a pointed roof or another type of apex or might have had [[Battlement|crenellations]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=yiselaat |date=2021-04-26 |title=Parts of a Medieval Castle: The Turret |url=https://medievalbritain.com/type/medieval-life/architecture/parts-of-a-medieval-castle-the-turret/ |access-date=2024-11-19 |website=Medieval Britain |language=en-US}}</ref> such as in the image above.

== Turrets on homes ==
In the modern day, turrets are most commonly found on homes. These turrets are still towers that project outwardly from the main structure, not extending down to the ground. Residential turrets were greatly popularized in the [[Queen Anne style architecture in the United States|Queen Anne residential style]], and can often be found on a variety of [[Victorian house|Victorian]] and Queen Anne home designs today.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-01-09 |title=Topping it off with Turrets {{!}} TMS Architects / Interiors |url=https://www.tmsarchitects.com/topping-it-off-with-turrets/ |access-date=2024-11-19 |language=en-US}}</ref> Some residential turrets are designed to be open-air balconies as well. Turrets can help to bring in more natural light and are often used to create more space in a home. These elements make a property more interesting to prospective buyers and homes with a turret generally appraise higher than without one.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-08-30 |title=Turret Roofs: History, Pros & Cons, Styles & More |url=https://colonyroofers.com/learningcenter/turret-roofs-pros-cons |access-date=2024-11-19 |website=colonyroofers.com |language=en}}</ref> Alternatively, turrets usually increase construction costs of a home as they are more difficult to frame and support than more common elements.

==Gallery==
<gallery mode="packed" heights="200px">
Châtelet, Château d'Angers, Southeast view 20170611 1.jpg|[[Gatehouse|Châtelet]] of the [[Château d'Angers]], [[Maine-et-Loire]], France, unknown architect, 13th century

Hôtel Fumé, Poitiers, façade 01.JPG|[[Hôtel Fumé]], [[Poitiers]], France, unknown architect, 15th–16th centuries

Maison-de-Jean-Herouet-54-r.jpg|[[Hôtel Hérouet]], Paris, unknown architect, unknown date

Tour de Belem detail 1 082006.JPG|Bastion terrace on [[Belém Tower]] with its [[Moorish architecture|Moorish]] [[bartizan]] turrets and [[cupola]]s from the north-west, [[Lisbon]], Portugal, by Francisco de Arruda, {{circa|1514–1519}}

Hôtel de Berbis 007.jpg|[[Hôtel de Berbis]], [[Dijon]], France, unknown architect, 1552–1558

4 Bulevardul Carol I, Bucharest (01).jpg|Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Romania on Bulevardul Carol I, [[Bucharest]], [[Romania]], by Louis Blanc, 1895

2 Strada Radu Cristian, Bucharest (01).jpg|Strada Radu Cristian no. 2, Bucharest, unknown architect, {{circa|1900}}

1 Strada Culmea Veche, Bucharest (06).jpg|Strada Culmea Veche no. 1, Bucharest, unknown architect, {{circa|1910}}

79 Bulevardul Dacia, Bucharest (02).jpg|Maria Ioanidi House on Bulevardul Dacia, Bucharest, by [[Ion D. Berindey]], 1911<ref>{{cite book|last1=Woinaroski|first1=Cristina|title=Istorie urbană, Lotizarea și Parcul Ioanid din București în context european|date=2013|publisher=SIMETRIA|isbn=978-973-1872-30-8|page=212|language=ro}}</ref>

Het Schip woningcomplex detail gevel, hoek Zaanstraat Tussen ongeveer de jaren 1960 en 1990 heeft de - RAA-DMGA-01540 - RAA Elsinga.jpg|Turret on the [[Het Schip]] housing in the [[Amsterdam School]] style, [[Amsterdam]], Netherlands, 1919, by [[Michel de Klerk]]
</gallery>

==See also==
{{Portal|Architecture}}
* [[Bartizan]], an overhanging, wall-mounted turret found particularly on French and Spanish fortifications between the early 14th and the 16th century. They returned to prominence in the 19th century with their popularity in [[Scottish baronial style]].
* [[Bay window]]
* [[Oriel window]]
* [[Turret (Hadrian's Wall)]]

==References==
{{Commons category|Turrets (architecture)}}
{{Reflist}}

{{Fortifications}}
{{Rooms}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Architectural elements]]
[[Category:Fortification (architectural elements)]]
[[Category:Castle architecture]]
[[Category:Turrets| ]]