Walls of Constantinople, Istanbul, Turkey

The photograph shows only a small section of the ancient walls that were originally built, to surround and protect the ancient city of Constantinople .  The city was founded in the 4^th century BC, by Constantine the Great and the walls protected his great city from both land and sea attack.

During what was roughly the same period as the middle ages, Constantinople was the most important city in the whole of Europe .  Famed for its size and wealth, it was a huge attraction for culture and was perhaps the most important player, in terms of wealth in the Mediterranean region at that time. Many written references were made to Constantinople ’s impressive architecture, in particular the churches and monasteries. Special reference was also made to Aya Sofya (Hagia Sophia), which today is a museum.

Although numerous modifications and additions to the original walls were made, they surely played a key role in the protection of the libraries containing Greek and Latin manuscripts, whilst many were being destroyed elsewhere. These manuscripts were later to prove an integral part, in the progression towards the modern world. 

The city was renamed to Istanbul in 1930.