Abartizan (an alteration of bratticing), also called a guerite, garita, or échauguette, or spelled bartisan, is an overhanging, wall-mounted turret projecting from the walls of late medieval and early-modern fortifications from the early 14th century up to the 18th century.[1] Most frequently found at corners, they protected a warder and enabled him to see his surroundings. Bartizans generally are furnished with oilletsorarrow slits.[2] The turret was usually supported by stepped masonry corbels and could be round, polygonal or square.[3][4]
Bartizans were incorporated into many notable examples of Scottish Baronial architecture. In the architecture of Aberdeen, the new Town House, built in 1868–74, incorporates bartizans in the West Tower.
One or more of the preceding sentences incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Wood, James, ed. (1907). "Bartizan". The Nuttall Encyclopædia. London and New York: Frederick Warne.
One or more of the preceding sentences incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Bartizan". Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 3 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 450.