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The original fortifications of Constantinople were built by Constantine the Great on the ruins of ancient and Roman fortifications as soon as he moved the capital of the empire to Byzantium. New land walls were built during the reign of Emperor Theodosius II, between 408 and 413. The so-called Theodosian Walls were built of alternating layers of stone and brick in two lines of defense which adjoined a ditch. The Inner Wall (‘Great Wall’) was a solid structure, 5 metres thick and 12 metres high. It was strengthened with 96 towers, mainly square but also octagonal or hexagonal, 18-20 metres tall, every 55 metres. The land walls of Constantinople were restored many times during the Byzantine and the Ottoman period. Recently, some sections were restored under the auspices of UNESCO. |
