Nesebar, Bulgaria
13th century
Nesebar, Bulgaria
6th century AD
Sofia, Bulgaria
10th century AD
Varna, Bulgaria
12th century
Ruse, Bulgaria
15th century
Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria
1230
Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria
11th century
Ruse, Bulgaria
1632
Ivanovo, Bulgaria
13th century
Sofia, Bulgaria
1910-1940
Gabrovo, Bulgaria
12th century
Shumen, Bulgaria
1740-1744
Mezdra, Bulgaria
16th century
Sofia, Bulgaria
1345
Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria
13th century
Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria
12th century
Sofia, Bulgaria
1493
Veliki Preslav, Bulgaria
10th century AD
Varshets, Bulgaria
1240/1869
Gabrovo, Bulgaria
1833
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.