Palermo, Italy
1682
Genoa, Italy
9th century AD
Aquileia, Italy
c. 313 AD
Salerno, Italy
9th century AD
Venice, Italy
639 AD
Capri, Italy
1371
Milan, Italy
1496
Palermo, Italy
1606-1632
Cividale del Friuli, Italy
15th century
Albenga, Italy
c. 1100
Padua, Italy
1303-1305
Palermo, Italy
1662
Padua, Italy
1276
Catania, Italy
1558
Turin, Italy
1678
Caltanissetta, Italy
16th century
Ragusa, Italy
1756-1796
Treviso, Italy
1768
Messina, Italy
12th century
Certosa di Pavia, Italy
1396-1495
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.