Istanbul, Turkey
532-537 AD
Istanbul, Turkey
1609-1617
Istanbul, Turkey
4th century AD
Istanbul, Turkey
1597-1665
Istanbul, Turkey
1550-1557
Istanbul, Turkey
4th century AD
Istanbul, Turkey
1748-1755
Istanbul, Turkey
1500-1505
Istanbul, Turkey
527-536 AD
Istanbul, Turkey
1464
Istanbul, Turkey
1544
Istanbul, Turkey
1463-1470 / 1771
Istanbul, Turkey
11th century
Istanbul, Turkey
1760-1764
Istanbul, Turkey
1520-1528
Istanbul, Turkey
524 AD
Istanbul, Turkey
908 AD
Istanbul, Turkey
11th century
Istanbul, Turkey
12th century
Istanbul, Turkey
1284
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.