Covertway

17th century illustration showing a cross-section of the fortifications of Groenlo. From left to right: counterscarp, covertway, ditch, faussebraye and the main defensive wall.

A place-of-arms on the covertway of Valletta

A covertway or covered way (French: chemin couvert, Italian: strada coperta) is a path on top of the counterscarp of a fortification. It is protected by an embankment which is made up by the crest of the glacis.^[1] It is able to give the fort's garrison a position beyond the ditch, as well as a continuous line of communication around the outworks.^[2]

An enlarged area within a covertway designed to allow troops to assemble on it is known as a place-of-arms.^[3]

References

1. Spiteri, Stephen C. (2010). "Illustrated Glossary of Terms used in Military Architecture". ARX Supplement (MilitaryArchitecture.com): 6.
2. "Covered". Webster's 1913 Dictionary. Retrieved 27 August 2015.
3. James, Charles (1802). A New and Enlarged Military Dictionary. London: T. Egerton. p. 629.