Lutherstadt Wittenberg, Germany
13th century
Bautzen, Germany
1456-1463
Mainz, Germany
1240-1330
Andechs, Germany
1455
Essen, Germany
1275-1316
Blaubeuren, Germany
1085
Lüneburg, Germany
1300-1370
Bad Münstereifel, Germany
11th century
Mainz, Germany
1290-1335
Bamberg, Germany
1015
Weimar, Germany
1498-1500
Wismar, Germany
1381-1460
Cologne, Germany
12th century
Hildesheim, Germany
1010-1020
Osnabrück, Germany
12th century
Lutherstadt Wittenberg, Germany
1490-1511
Landshut, Germany
1389-1500
Bebenhausen, Germany
1183
Munich, Germany
1835
Görlitz, Germany
1423-1497
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.