Verboom y los sistemas defensivos de fuertes exteriores: una mirada a la ciudad de Alicante en 1721

Abstract

The city of Alicante required a general fortification project after the War of the Spanish Succession. It had proved a strategic enclave due to the importance for trade and logistics of its port, protected by an almost impregnable castle which was only breached after a six-month long siege. Here, the project drawn up by Jorge Próspero de Verboom in 1721 is analysed in the context of other contemporary projects. Similarities and differences in the techniques applied are discussed, highlighting his solution to prevent deposits flowing into the port from the San Blas gully, by opening a channel to the sea. In addition, the professional trajectory of the engineer is also analysed, from the lock and flood management systems he implemented in Flanders up to 1710, to his subsequent work in Spain, where he designed various fortification projects adapted to the terrain. Lastly, the hypothesis is presented that Verboom decided not to employ outworks in his Alicante project, in contrast to other fortifications he designed such as Pamplona, Fuenterrabía and San Sebastian.