Sils im Domleschg, Switzerland
13th century
Aesch, Switzerland
13th century
Veltheim, Switzerland
14th century
Holderbank, Switzerland
c. 1050
Rothenbrunnen, Switzerland
12th century
Burgistein, Switzerland
14th century
Wartau, Switzerland
c. 1225
Brugg, Switzerland
10th century
Gränichen, Switzerland
13th century
Grono, Switzerland
12th century
Trin, Switzerland
12th century
Meiringen, Switzerland
c. 1250
Weissenburg, Switzerland
13th century
Champvent, Switzerland
c. 1250
Kreuzlingen, Switzerland
15th century
Signau, Switzerland
12th century
Bubikon, Switzerland
1190s
Sumiswald, Switzerland
1730
Lostorf, Switzerland
13th century
Haldenstein, Switzerland
10th century
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.