Explore the historic highlights of Istanbul
Istanbul, Turkey
532-537 AD
Istanbul, Turkey
1609-1617
Istanbul, Turkey
203 AD
Istanbul, Turkey
15th century BCE
Istanbul, Turkey
6th century AD
Istanbul, Turkey
4th century AD
Istanbul, Turkey
1459
Istanbul, Turkey
1597-1665
Istanbul, Turkey
1891
İstanbul, Turkey
1455
Istanbul, Turkey
1550-1557
Istanbul, Turkey
4th century AD
Istanbul, Turkey
6th century AD
Istanbul, Turkey
1748-1755
Istanbul, Turkey
1500-1505
Istanbul, Turkey
c. 328 AD
Istanbul, Turkey
428-443 AD
Istanbul, Turkey
527-536 AD
Istanbul, Turkey
1544
Istanbul, Turkey
1463-1470 / 1771
Istanbul, Turkey
373 AD
Istanbul, Turkey
5th century AD
Istanbul, Turkey
11th century
Istanbul, Turkey
1458
Istanbul, Turkey
1760-1764
Istanbul, Turkey
13th century
Istanbul, Turkey
524 AD
Istanbul, Turkey
908 AD
Istanbul, Turkey
11th century
Istanbul, Turkey
12th century
Istanbul, Turkey
1284
Istanbul, Turkey
5th century AD
The Walls of Constantinople are a series of defensive stone walls that have surrounded and protected the city of Constantinople (today Istanbul) since its founding as the new capital of the Roman Empire by Constantine the Great. With numerous additions and modifications during their history, they were the last great fortification system of antiquity, and one of the most complex and elaborate systems ever built. They were also the largest and strongest fortification in both the ancient and medieval world.
Initially built by Constantine the Great, the walls surrounded the new city on all sides, protecting it against attack from both sea and land. As the city grew, the famous double line of the Theodosian Walls was built in the 5th century. Although the other sections of the walls were less elaborate, they were, when well-manned, almost impregnable for any medieval besieger.