Balaiana Castle, Luogosanto, Italy

The Balaiana Castle is situated on Mount San Leonardo, at 299 metres above sea level, dominating the surrounding valley. You can walk through a staircase carved between granite rocks where the start path is located in the parking area, just 5 km from the village, on the road to Arzachena.

The castle's unique architecture, with features such as the special interlocking blocks of granite corners, dates back to the 12th century. The castle was destroyed by the army of Alfonso of Aragon, who had razed the structure almost completely to the ground in 1442.

The small church dedicated to San Leonardo was built as a chapel of the castle and is a rare example of Romanesque architecture in Gallura. The chapel can be reached via a path just a few dozen metres north of the Castle. The similarity between the churches in Corsica suggests that in the second half of the 12th century there was a shift between the islands of the Mediterranean and the manufacturers who used the granite stone.

References:

gallurago.com

Walls of Constantinople

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.

claudio arru (5 years ago)
Bisogna faticare per arrivarci ma gode di una bella vista. Ps. Portarsi una penna

Riccardo Sanna (5 years ago)
Nature, History, Religion and Relax! Picnic area with tables and chairs! Path with steps leading up to the top of the Hill. From there you can enjoy a breathtaking view!

F Exslager (6 years ago)
Not the easiest to reach- be prepared for increasing heartbeat- but the view is worth it!

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