Wangenbourg-Engenthal, France
13th century
Saint-Lô, France
1202
Lonlay-l'Abbaye, France
c. 1020
Sauvelade, France
1127
Kaysersberg Vignoble, France
1190s
Châteaumeillant, France
1125-1150
Haguenau, France
1863-1866
Nancy, France
1737-1741
Blasimon, France
10th century AD
Metz, France
12th century
Hastingues, France
1167
Gorze, France
12th century
Digne-les-Bains, France
c. 1180
Pontlevoy, France
1034
Landerneau, France
16th century
Châtel-Chéhéry, France
12th century
La Roche-sur-Yon, France
1210
Saint-Mihiel, France
11th century
Saorge, France
1633
Ville-sous-la-Ferté, France
1115
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.