The City Walls

Old Constantinople's city walls were built during the 5th century. There were many large towers and motes surrounding it. These walls were considered to be the largest fortress ever constructed in the Christian era.

The city walls extended for approximately 30 kilometers. In the year 1200 AD, enemies have breached the walls for the very first time. Allies from the Fourth Crusade invaded the city, deposed the emperor and selected a king of their own. The second time the city suffered an invasion was in 1453 by Sultan Fatih Mehmet - also known as 'The Conqueror.'

In 1980, part of the wall was repaired. Today you can see approximately 7 kilometers of the great wall that once protected the city against its enemies.

 
Next visit of our virtual tour through Istanbul:
1453 Panorama Museum