Sofia, Bulgaria
4th century AD
Sofia, Bulgaria
11th century
Sofia, Bulgaria
1882-1912
Sofia, Bulgaria
6th century AD
Sofia, Bulgaria
1856-1863
Sofia, Bulgaria
1566
Sofia, Bulgaria
13th century
Kyustendil, Bulgaria
14th century
Nesebar, Bulgaria
13th century
Nesebar, Bulgaria
1609
Nesebar, Bulgaria
11th century
Nesebar, Bulgaria
11th century
Nesebar, Bulgaria
13th century
Sofia, Bulgaria
1905-1909
Nesebar, Bulgaria
13th century
Nesebar, Bulgaria
14th century
Nesebar, Bulgaria
9th century AD
Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria
c. 1100
Sofia, Bulgaria
1547/1901
Varna, Bulgaria
1886
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.