From the very begining, city walls played the most important role in the status of Constantinoples as the capital and an Imperial city. During history, these walls have been enlarged several times.

First defending walls were erected by St. Constantine the Great and included four main entrance towers, including the Golden Gate on the western site wich was used for triumphal marches and lead directly to the Great Palace complex (Senate, Agia Sophia church, the Palace and the Hippodrome).

Soon after, these walls were relocated and enlarged (during Theodosios II reign).

The defending system

The walls included three levels of security - after long channel filled with water, layed the first wall. Behind this wall were the archmen and men prepared and equiped for close battle. After that is the second wall and system of towers that housed famous Greek fire and soldiers with sparrows. On the painting left You can see the proportions of the second wall with respect to soldier. This is the main reason why these walls emphasised the power and richness of Constantinoples and looked unnatural to strangers and travelers. Even the blodthurst Crusades of the 4th crusade in 1204 were terrified by the size of walls.

On the picture on the left You can see the reconstructed site in Constantinoples wich can show us some of the ornaments that took place even on such a defending place like walls. Everythning in the city was magnificent, even its walls.