Dortmund, Germany
13th century
Bad Bergzabern, Germany
16th century
Ratzenried, Germany
12th century
Roes, Germany
12th century
Bischofsheim in der Rhön, Germany
12th century
Sande, Germany
1671
Hammelburg, Germany
11th century
Glauchau, Germany
1470
Nümbrecht, Germany
11th century/1635
Hartenstein, Saxony, Germany
12th century
Nagold, Germany
c. 1100
Münsingen, Germany
c. 1200
Gerolstein, Germany
12th century
Mechernich, Germany
14th century
Jülich, Germany
16th century
Virneburg, Germany
12th century
Stein an der Traun, Germany
12th century
Sulzdorf an der Lederhecke, Germany
1667
Wolkenstein, Germany
14th century
Obertrubach, Germany
c. 1330
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.