Agrigento, Italy
11th century
Bergamo, Italy
1070
Cosenza, Italy
1448
Miglionico, Italy
1515-1534
Andria, Italy
14th century
Potenza, Italy
12th century
Termini Imerese, Italy
1604
Pinerolo, Italy
1635
Stilo, Italy
9th century AD
Genoa, Italy
12th century
Lecce, Italy
11th century
Milan, Italy
13th century
Pavia, Italy
8th century AD
Venosa, Italy
11th century
Brescia, Italy
1254
Manfredonia, Italy
12th century
Serra San Bruno, Italy
1095
Thiene, Italy
1314
Almenno San Bartolomeo, Italy
11th century
Sassari, Italy
13th 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.