During the 18th century, in three thorough reconstructions, the fortress in Belgrade was turned into a modern bastion artillery fort. It was then that the fortress got its present appearance, for the most part. During one of the reconstructions, in the third decade of the 18th century, the first ravelin was built according to the design of Nicolas Doxat de Demoret, a brave soldier and famous engineer of the Habsburg monarchy. The work on the fortress lasted for about 10 years, and in addition to strengthening the ramparts with bastions, large barracks and arsenals were built. Doxat de Demoret also took part in the military campaign against the Turks and he successfully fought in the war and conquered Nis, where he was appointed commander of the city. His successful life ended under the shadow of high treason due to the surrender of Nis to the Turks. After a short trial, Doxat de Demoret was convicted and executed in front of the Belgrade Fortress, specifically in front of Aleksandar’s barracks at the beginning of today’s Knez Mihailova Street. With 200 cavalry and 400 infantry lining the street, newspaper reports said that the executioner “cut off the convict’s head” after the fourth attempt, but not before the prisoner exclaimed in French: “Oh fortress, I built you and now you are taking my life”.