Tropea, Italy
12th century
Aosta, Italy
5th century AD
Pavia, Italy
11th century
Molfetta, Italy
1610-1744
Pavia, Italy
1500-1507
Nardò, Italy
1080
Bergamo, Italy
8th century AD
Mercogliano, Italy
1124
Aosta, Italy
9th century
Erice, Italy
1339
Cittadella, Italy
1774-1826
Curon Venosta, Italy
14th century
Sirmione, Italy
1320
Naples, Italy
1510
Lecco, Italy
13th century
Tirano, Italy
1505
Rome, Italy
492 AD
Casale Monferrato, Italy
1107
Caltanissetta, Italy
1600-1610
Sarzana, Italy
1204-1474
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.