Marne, Italy
12th century
Patti, Italy
1094
Locri, Italy
1933
Mortara, Italy
5th century AD
Nosate, Italy
8th century AD
Pavia, Italy
11th century
Sarno, Italy
1620
Acerno, Italy
1575
Potenza, Italy
12th century
Atella, Italy
10th century AD
Melfi, Italy
17th century
Matera, Italy
8th century AD
Bonate Sotto, Italy
c. 1129
Messina, Italy
11th century
Caposele, Italy
1200
Arnad, Italy
15th century
Mortara, Italy
1596
San Vito dei Normanni, Italy
1571
Ercolano, Italy
11th century
Saracena, Italy
11th 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.