Noto, Italy
1703-1727
Padua, Italy
1584
Milan, Italy
4th century AD
Turin, Italy
1583-1656
Brescia, Italy
1604
Trieste, Italy
1320
Brescia, Italy
11th century
Rome, Italy
300-400 AD
Ivrea, Italy
16th century
Sorrento, Italy
11th century
Rome, Italy
c. 337 AD
Genoa, Italy
10th century AD
Verona, Italy
9th century
Verona, Italy
12th century
Trani, Italy
1143
Milan, Italy
16th century
Brescia, Italy
8th century AD
Rome, Italy
398 AD
Palermo, Italy
12
Ragusa, Italy
1738-1775
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.