Bergen, Norway
12th century
Mosterøy, Norway
1263-1280
Tønsberg, Norway
c. 1190
Oslo, Norway
1147
Tautra, Norway
1207
Halsnøy, Norway
1163-1164
Os, Norway
1146
Selje, Norway
c. 1100
Levanger, Norway
1150-1180
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.