The Walls of Constantinople

The Istanbul Wall, also known as the Constantinople Wall, is a stone wall that surrounds and protects Constantinople (today called Istanbul), which has existed since the capital of the Roman Empire, Constantine I. The city walls of Constantinople have undergone numerous additions and repairs. It is an existing ancient fortress system and one of the most complex fortress systems in the world. The walls of Istanbul were originally built during the reign of Constantine I to defend against attacks by land and sea. Although some parts of the walls were slightly less elaborate, when properly deployed, the walls of Constantinople were unbreakable under any medieval attack. In the nineteenth century, the city grew beyond its medieval boundaries, with parts of the city walls removed, and the walls have fallen into disrepair since then, but many parts still stand. In the 1980s, it underwent extensive local restoration, and now visitors can see its majesty again.