Rathen, Germany
11th century
Zschopau, Germany
12th century
Müglitztal, Germany
c. 1200
Rammenau, Germany
1721-1735
Lunzenau, Germany
1470-1548
Gnandstein, Germany
13th century
Scharfenstein, Germany
1250
Reichenbach im Vogtland, Germany
13th century
Wurzen, Germany
1491-1497
Delitzsch, Germany
14th century
Hohnstein, Germany
c. 1200
Frauenstein, Germany
13th century
Groitzsch, Germany
11th century
Schönfeld, Germany
1560-1580
Nossen, Germany
12th century
Tharandt, Germany
13th century
Chemnitz, Germany
1555-1560
Altenberg, Germany
1200
Hartenstein, Saxony, Germany
c. 1200
Sächsische Schweiz-Osterzgebirge, Germany
13th 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.