Bastion of Auvergne

The bastion of Auvergne is one of the most sophisticated strongpoints in the Hospitaller defences. It occupies a central position in the west wall built by Lastic (1437-54)and, until the early 16th century, also shielded one of the oldest gates, dedicated to saint George.

The earliest defensive elements are at the back of the bastion and consist of the tall rectangular tower of grand master Antoni Fluvian (1421-37), open at the back, and the remnants of weak wall of the same period, which under Lastic became an advance-wall. The west face of the tower is decorated with a large relief of Saint George slaying the Dragon, above the arms of the Order, Fluvian and pope Martin V (1417-31); therefore the tower was erected between 1421 and 1431 with papal financial support. The opening of the gate still exists behind the tower. The early spur-bulwark to the west of the tower, with gunports at two levels, was probably added by grand master Zacosta (1461-67); the outer gate secured by a drawbridge and the stone bridge beyond, engulfed by later structures and revealed again in 1994-5, date from the same period. The back of the tower was joined to the curtain most likely by grand master Orsini (1467-76).

Construction of the large outer bastion by Aubusson began after 1489. It spread radially outwards from the older bulwark; to the north and south the bedrock was excavated to make room for two-tiered covered batteries. The bastion was originally detached from the curtain wall, with 4 metres between them; and took shape in sections like an spreading fan. Its huge platform (2500 m²) could support heavy artillery covering a field of 180 degrees. The new moat to the west of the bastion was over 30 metres wide and was crossed by a new bridge. The gate was sealed after grand master Carretto (1513-21) added a heavy parapet with artillery embrasures to the curtain wall: some of the embrasures were clearly designed to cover it. The northern basement battery never became operational, while the bulwark was connected to the curtain wall by the last grand master of Rhodes, Philippe Villiers de 'Isle-Adam (1521-22). The novel defensible features of the bastion include a listening gallery under its foundations for the detection of enemy mines and latrines with a large septic tank.

The bastion sat on the dividing line between the sectors defended by the Knights of Germany and Auvergne; disputes arose between the two tongues over its possession, with the latter getting the better of the argument.