Lisbon, Portugal
16th century
Mafra, Portugal
1717-1730
Lisbon, Portugal
13th century
Lisbon, Portugal
1598
Lisbon, Portugal
1726
Lisbon, Portugal
1747
Lisbon, Portugal
1779-1790
Sintra, Portugal
1858
Sintra, Portugal
1783-1787
Lisbon, Portugal
1671
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.