The Château de Montluc, named after its famous owner Blaise de Monluc, is located in Estillac, in the French department of Lot-et-Garonne. Built in the 13th century, it was expanded in the 16th century in a Renaissance style by the Mondenard family. Blaise de Monluc inherited it in 1544 and undertook major works, including the addition of defensive bastions inspired by Italian fortifications. He also planned a funerary chapel for himself. The castle was modified to withstand the religious wars but was partially demolished in 1793. Blaise de Monluc lived here to write his commentaries but died in 1577, leaving the estate to his grandson. Over the centuries, the castle changed hands and was classified as a historic monument in 1958. Its architecture features a trapezoidal plan with an almost triangular interior courtyard.
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.