Rome, Italy
4th century AD
Potenza, Italy
1872
Ruvo di Puglia, Italy
12th century
Padua, Italy
520 AD
Morimondo, Italy
1134
Susa, Italy
c. 1100
Acqui Terme, Italy
11th century
Messina, Italy
1937
Ferrara di Monte Baldo, Italy
17th century
Potenza, Italy
1274
Tricarico, Italy
11th century
Bitonto, Italy
11th century
Pozzuoli, Italy
1538
Naples, Italy
16th century
Trento, Italy
1166-1183
Ragusa, Italy
1694
Alcamo, Italy
Biella, Italy
1402
Chiaravalle, Italy
1135
Milan, Italy
16th century
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.