A fortified entrance is commonly referred to as a "gatehouse" or simply a "gate." These structures are designed to provide security and protection, often featuring thick walls, towers, and defensive mechanisms. Historically, they were integral to castles and walled cities, controlling access and enhancing defense against attacks.
Gatehouse
Port Royal
Port Royal
A fortified town for self-defence, with entrance gates and walls.
A barbacan is an archaic term for a barbican, a tower at the entrance to a castle or fortified town, or a fortress at the end of a bridge.
Fortified dwellings of the Middle Ages were castles and fortified manor houses. Not all dwellings were castles, however.
Madeira
acropolis
this is called arienites
fortress
The entrance to a house is called "l'entrée" in French.
A gateway or entrance to a fortified building is a strategic opening designed for access while providing security against intruders. Typically fortified with heavy doors, portcullises, and defensive features like towers or battlements, these entrances were crucial in medieval architecture. They often served as the first line of defense, controlling entry and exit while allowing for surveillance of approaching threats. Gateways might also include features like drawbridges or moats to enhance their defensive capabilities.