What Was a Barbican?

A barbican is a fortified outpost or fortified gateway, such as at an outer defense perimeter of a city or castle, or any tower situated over a gate or bridge which was used for defensive purposes.

How does a barbican protect a castle?

feature of castle

…was often protected by a barbican—a walled outwork in front of the gate—and the passage through the gateway was defended by portcullises, doors, and machicolations.

What is the difference between a gatehouse and a barbican?

As nouns the difference between barbican and gatehouse

is that barbican is a tower at the entrance to a castle or fortified town while gatehouse is a lodge besides the entrance to an estate; often the residence of a gatekeeper; also a dwelling formerly used as such a residence.