Istanbul, Türkiye
Step into the story of the İstanbul Surları, or the Istanbul city walls, which are among the most iconic and enduring symbols of the city. Picture yourself standing before ancient stones that have borne witness to emperors, sultans, traders, and entire civilisations for nearly sixteen centuries.
These illustrious walls were first built in the early fifth century, during the reign of Emperor Theodosius the Second. As he expanded Constantinople—what is now modern-day Istanbul—he strengthened its defences in response to growing threats. Over the centuries, the walls were reconstructed, repaired, and at times extended by later Byzantine and Ottoman rulers, each leaving their mark on the city’s skyline. The most remarkable surviving section, the Theodosian Walls, stretches from the sparkling Sea of Marmara in the south to the gleaming waters of the Golden Horn in the north.
As you stroll along their length, history reveals itself layer by layer. The land walls were a feat of engineering for their time: a wide moat at the front, two formidable parallel walls, and nearly one hundred sturdy towers rising behind. Some towers reach almost twenty metres in height, and every fifty metres or so, another tower appears, complete with arrow slits and vaulted rooms that once served as armouries or secure vaults.
Gateways, such as the majestic Golden Gate or Yedikule Fortress, were much more than mere entrances—they set the stage for imperial processions or fierce last stands during times of siege. The Golden Gate, adorned with gleaming marble and gilded doors, once welcomed victorious emperors back to the city, while Yedikule Fortress became a royal treasury and, in later years, a prison.
Over countless generations, these walls have held firm through innumerable sieges: Persians, Arabs, Bulgars, Crusaders and, finally, the Ottomans all tested their strength against them. In the middle of the fifteenth century, the Ottomans, under Sultan Mehmed the Second, broke through the walls with powerful cannon, closing the chapter on the Byzantine era and ushering in a new one in Istanbul’s story.
Yet the walls were more than merely military barriers—they shaped everyday life. Merchants, peasants, travellers, and whole communities lived and worked in their shadow, passing day by day through the gates, while guards kept watch from the towers above. Over time, the walls inspired legends; it is said that when the city fell, the last emperor vanished into the stones, awaiting the moment to return.
Today, parts of these walls still stand—weathered yet majestic—while other sections lie buried beneath modern streets or have been carefully restored. Their legacy endures in Turkish art, poetry, and in the everyday life of the city. Restoration efforts continue, balancing new challenges with innovative methods. The walls of Istanbul remain a testament to endurance, ambition, and the mingling of cultures—a living monument shaped by rulers and ordinary citizens alike.
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