Naples, Italy
1656
Palermo, Italy
1604
Vieste, Italy
18th century
Monte Sant'Angelo, Italy
6th century AD
Cividale del Friuli, Italy
8th century
Savona, Italy
1559
Benevento, Italy
c. 760 AD
Leggiuno, Italy
14th century
Lipari, Italy
1131
Ragusa, Italy
13th century
Rome, Italy
c. 325 AD
Lodi, Italy
1158
Milan, Italy
1882
Venice, Italy
1469
Bolzano, Italy
1221
Scicli, Italy
17th century
Biella, Italy
17th century
Brescia, Italy
753 AD
Lodi, Italy
1488
Monopoli, Italy
1107
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.