Helsinki, Finland
1816-1852
Porvoo, Finland
18th century
Rauma, Finland
18th century
Loviisa, Finland
18th-19th centuries
Raasepori, Finland
18th-19th centuries
Tampere, Finland
1900s
Kristiinankaupunki, Finland
1649
Raahe, Finland
19th century
Parainen, Finland
1757 (the chapel)
Kokkola, Finland
1810-1880
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.