Genoa, Italy
1520
Mantua, Italy
1395-1401
Bellagio, Italy
12th century
Lecce, Italy
1549-1695
, Italy
4th century AD
Rome, Italy
400 AD
Mantua, Italy
1472
Rome, Italy
4th century AD
Verona, Italy
1280
Bolzano, Italy
1180
Brixen, Italy
11th century
Padua, Italy
1232-1310
Rome, Italy
460 AD
Mantua, Italy
11th century
Bari, Italy
12th century
Palermo, Italy
1636
Vicenza, Italy
1261
Rome, Italy
822 AD
Verona, Italy
1187
Brixen, Italy
12th 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.