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List of cities with defensive walls

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The following cities have, or historically had, defensive walls.

Africa

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Algeria

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Egypt

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See List of Egypt castles, forts, fortifications and city walls.

Ethiopia

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Libya

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Mali

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The Kasbah of Aït Benhaddou, High Atlas
The seaside walls of Essaouira, Morocco

Morocco

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Niger

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  • Zinder, Niger was well known for its city wall, the remains of which can still be seen

Nigeria

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Tunisia

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Americas

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Canada

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Place Condition Image Notes
Halifax, Nova Scotia Demolished Defensive walls were built in 1750 to defend the settlement of Halifax (present day downtown Halifax). Five forts were also built around the city's defensive walls, including the predecessor to Fort George.[2] The walls were taken down in the 1760s.[2]
Louisbourg, Nova Scotia Demolished (1760)
Partially rebuilt (1960s)
Main article: Fortress of Louisbourg

Louisbourg was a walled settlement located south of the present community of Louisbourg. The settlement was the capital of the French colony of Île-Royale from 1713 to 1758. After the British capture of Louisbourg, its defensive fortifications were destroyed. During the 1960s and 1970s, one-quarter of the historic settlement was rebuilt in a reconstruction project by the Government of Canada, including portions of its defensive walls.

Montreal, Quebec Demolished; remains partially unearthed Completed in 1744, the walls surrounded most of Old Montreal. The walls were demolished in the beginning of the 19th century, although some of the wall's foundations was left alone, and later buried. The walls’ foundations were later unearthed at the Champ de Mars, and at Pointe-à-Callière Museum.
Quebec City, Quebec Intact
Main article: Ramparts of Quebec

Surrounding most of Old Quebec's Upper Town, construction of the wall began in the 1690s, with additional improvements and restorations done in the following centuries. The southern portion of the walls form a part of the Citadel of Quebec. The citadel is military installation used by the Canadian Armed Forces and an official residence for the monarch and governor general of Canada.

Trois-Rivières, Quebec Demolished
Main article: Fort Trois-Rivières

The first permanent settlement in the area of Trois-Rivières, and the second one in New France, was originally surrounded by a palisade wall with several bastions. Today, there is a plaque marking the site of the fort, although there are no other traces.[3]

Ferryland, Newfoundland and Labrador Demolished; remains partially unearthed Ferryland, founded in 1623 by Edward Wynne, was at one point the principal settlement of the Province of Avalon. During its period of existence, the town was surrounded on at least two sides by a ditch, rampart and palisade, with bastions on the corners. Eventually, though, the town was destroyed by the French during the Avalon Peninsula Campaign. In the late 1980s, an archaeological excavation began on the site and has since uncovered the remains of several buildings, the ditch, a cobblestone street and many other features.[4]
Kahnawake, Quebec Demolished A fort in Kahnawake was constructed by Jesuit Missionaries in 1725 to protect their mission and the adjacent Iroquois village. A mission fort, Fort Du Sault-Saint-Louis, had four bastions, built of stone with bartizans on the tips. The village was enclosed on all sides by a palisade wall (rebuilt in stone in 1747), consisting of six bastions and one half-bastion. Three large gates pierced the village walls, as well as one small gate and three postern gates. The St. Francis Xavier Mission now occupies the site of the fort, and parts of the walls remain in that area.

Chile

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Colombia

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Walls and cannons of the old city of Cartagena

Cuba

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Dominican Republic

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Mexico

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to City walls in Mexico.

Panama

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Old Quarter of Panama City (a portion of the Wall still exists)[6]

Peru

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Puerto Rico

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United States

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A 1660 map of New Amsterdam, later New York City. The city wall (right) gave Wall Street its name.
  • Boston, Massachusetts, maintained a defensive city wall and gate across Boston Neck, the sole point where the city was connected with the mainland, from 1631 until the end of the 18th century.
  • Charleston, South Carolina was a walled city from the 1690s until the 1720s. A portion of the wall, called Half Moon Battery, is still visible in the Provost Dungeon of the Old Exchange Building.
  • St. Augustine, Florida, starting in 1704, the Spanish constructed the Cubo Line – attached to the Castillo de San Marcos and enclosing the city. 18th century maps detail the walls enclosing all of St. Augustine[7]
  • New Orleans, Louisiana, planned in 1718 as a walled city. The wall was present during the Battle of New Orleans, but was found to be in such a state of disarray that it could not be used.[8][9]
  • New York City, in the 17th century New Amsterdam had a defensive wall across Manhattan. Wall Street is named for the barrier.[10]

Uruguay

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Asia

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Afghanistan

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China

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Main article: Chinese city wall
Watch towers on the citywall in Xi'an, China

India

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12th century Jaisalmer Fortress City from northern approaches at dusk, in Jaisalmer, Rajestan, India. A World Heritage site.

Indonesia

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Pakuan Pajajaran, the capital of the Sunda Kingdom, was surrounded by defensive moats and walls. Now the area is part of the modern city of Bogor.

An 18th century wall made by Hamengkubuwono the 1st from the Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat Kingdom to protect the inner capital city from the Dutch and other enemies during the Mataram Kingdom period. Today, 96% of the wall still exists and is a local landmark.

On 17 February 1745, the Surakarta Kingdom moved to a new opened forest named Sala Village and build their Royal Residential Palace and urban area with a 15 kilometers long of "Beteng Kraton" or Palace wall around it. As of 2022, 90% of the city walls still remain.

Well known as Banten Kingdom's capital. The wall was destroyed by the Dutch during its colonial period in the way to ended the Banten reign. The city wall that left is only about 10% from the real appearance.

Trowulan was the capital of the former Majapahit Empire. When its glory period, the capital being a first European systemized ancient city (with city canal system for transportation and also large aisle and road for major transportation) in Indonesia, because Trowulan was developed in Majapahit's glory period in 13th–15th century. The wall was protecting the inner "Kraton" or royal palace and some important places. Today the wall can't be seen as the original appearance.

Iran

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Iraq

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Israel

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  • Acre – 18th-century modern Ottoman fortification able to withstand cannon attack. The wall has been restored and now includes a rampart for tourists.
  • Jaffa
  • Safed
  • Tiberias

Lebanon

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  • Baalbek: sections of the Arab fortifications (built with stones from Roman structures) can still be seen around the Acropolis and the old town
  • Batroun: the town is known for its 225 m long Phoenician seawall. There was also a 9th-century BC citadel, parts of which are still visible
  • Beirut: sections of the Phoenician and Roman fortifications and Ottoman citadel have been unearthed in the city's central district. The famous walls erected by Emir Fakhruddin II have yet to be recovered.
  • Byblos: the old town is surrounded by medieval walls, with a castle standing at their Southern edge
  • Sidon: little remains today of the city's medieval fortifications, except the Castle of St. Louis.

Malaysia

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  • Malacca – Built by the Portuguese after the city's occupation in 1511, it was torn down by the British in 1806. Known locally as the A Famosa.

Pakistan

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Almost every old city in Pakistan had a defensive wall. Much of these walls were destroyed by the British in order to refortify the cities. Few cities which were fortified are:

Palestine

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Philippines

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The walled city of Intramuros in Manila
Main article: Spanish Colonial Fortifications of the Philippines

South Korea

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Main article: List of fortresses in Korea

Sri Lanka

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Syria

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Taiwan

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Some other towns fortified with thorny bamboos in Qing era. [11]

Thailand

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to City walls in Thailand.
Tapae Gate in the eastern wall surrounding the old city of Chiang Mai.

Uzbekistan

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Vietnam

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Yemen

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Surrounded by a fortified wall, the 16th-century city of Shibam, Yemen

Europe

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Albania

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Austria

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Main article: Austrian Walled Towns

Azerbaijan

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  • Baku retains most of the city walls that separate the historic Inner City from the newer parts of the city developed after the 19th century.
  • Shaki
  • Shusha

Belgium

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Place Province Accessible Condition Image Notes
Aarschot Flemish Brabant Yes One or more individual structures (Bastions, gates towers, etc.) remain. The most significant remain of the medieval fortifications which surrounded the town of Aarschot is a tower located on top of a hill just south of the old town, named the Aurelianustoren or Orleanstoren.
Ath Hainaut Yes One or more individual structures (Bastions, gates, towers, etc.) remain. Ath was fortified several times. Of the oldest fortifications, the old castle, including the Burbant Tower, still stands. The bendy course of some of the streets surrounding the old town are vestiges of the bastioned ramparts of the post-medieval era. Some remnants of these fortifications still remain to the north of the old town, near the Boulevard Alphonse Deneubourg.
Arlon Luxembourg Yes One or more individual structures (Bastions, gates, towers, etc.) remain. A smallish citadel stands in the center of the old town, on the location of a destroyed Medieval castle.
Beaumont Hainaut Yes One or more individual structures (Bastions, gates, towers, etc.) remain. A sizable stretch of the old city wall remains to the east of the old town. The most notable part is the old Tour Salamandre, an old keep tower.
Binche Hainaut Yes Sizable parts of the fortifications remain intact. The city of Binche sports the most intact set of city walls of Belgium. Built in 1230 AD, they are 2.1 kilometers long and sport about 30 towers. There were six gates, but these have been demolished in the 19th century.
Bouillon Luxembourg Yes One or more individual structures (Bastions, gates, towers, etc.) remain. Apart from the impressive medieval castle, three small, tower-like bastions, as well as several small stretches of curtain wall, remain of the wall built around the town by the French military engineer Vauban in the 17th century.
Bruges Western Flanders Yes One or more individual structures (Bastions, gates, towers, etc.) remain. Out of the nine gates in the 14th-century walls, four survive today. Several stretches of the earth fortification wall surrounding the city are still in place. Apart from a single tower, no trace remains of the stone wall that topped some parts of the earth ramparts. A single tower of the first city wall can be seen across the canal at the Pottenmakersstraat.
Brussels Brussels-Capital Region One or more individual structures (Bastions, gates, towers, etc.) remain. Of the first city wall, built in the 13th century, a small stretch of curtain wall and several isolated towers still remain. Of the second wall, only the Halle gate remains. The inner ring road of Brussels now occupies the location of this second wall.
Chièvres Hainaut Yes One or more individual structures (Bastions, gates, towers, etc.) remain. A large stretch of the medieval town walls still remains behind the church of St. Martin and the chapel of Our Lady (Notre Dame) and the houses alongside the Rue Hoche. A wall tower, the Tour de Gavre, also remains next to the church.
Chimay Hainaut One or more individual structures (Bastions, gates, towers, etc.) remain. An isolated tower still remains at the Rue de Noailles
Dalhem Wallonia One or more individual structures (Bastions, gates, towers, etc.) remain. Several remains of the town and castle's fortifications can be found at the back of the houses alongside Rue du Général Thys. The ruins of the castle are also located on Rue du Général Thys.
Damme West Flanders Yes One or more individual structures (Bastions, gates, towers, etc.) remain. The location of the 16th-century, seven-sided ring of fortifications can still be seen as low hills in the fields and gardens surrounding the old town. A small portion of the inner and outer wall was reconstructed in 2001.
Dendermonde East Flanders Yes One or more individual structures (Bastions, gates, towers, etc.) remain. Dendermonde received a new set of city walls in the 19th century, being an important part of the Wellington Barrier. Currently, various structures, including the arsenal, barracks, two gates, and several parts of the walls (transformed into a park) remain.
Diest Flemish Brabant Yes Sizable parts of the fortifications remain intact. To the north of the city centre, one can still find two polygonous fronts featuring a land gate; a water gate and a ravelin. An outer wall in front of this wall fragment sports two dilapidated casemated caponieres. To the east, the shape of several bastions have remained intact. An outer work, to the east of the fortifications, is incorporated in a swimming pool complex. The Citadel remains mostly intact, although the side facing the city was demolished to make room for barracks. There is a small fortress to the north of the city center.
Herentals Antwerpen One or more individual structures (Bastions, gates, towers, etc.) remain. Two, much altered, gates of the Medieval fortifications of the town of Herentals can still be found at either end of the town center.
Huy Liège Sizable parts of the fortifications remain intact. Sizable portions of the medieval city wall can be found to the south and east of the old town. During the early 19th century, a large fortress was built by the Dutch on the location where a castle had stood several centuries before.
Kortrijk Western Flanders One or more individual structures (Bastions, gates, towers, etc.) remain. The extensive fortifications of Courtrai have been demolished during the mid-18th century. The only remains are the Medieval Broel towers, standing on either side of the river Lys. A foundation of a defensive wall and a multi angular artillery tower, both situated adjacent to the church of Our Lady, form the last remnants of the first castle of Courtrai.
Leuven Flemish Brabant One or more individual structures (Bastions, gates, towers, etc.) remain. Several dilapidated towers and fragments of the Romanesque 12th-century first wall of Leuven can be found throughout the city centre, although a sizeable portion collapsed due to negligence in February, 2011. Of the second wall, only the ground floor of a watchtower and the base of a watergate over the Dijle river still stand. The second wall was changed into a park in the 19th century, this park was largely destroyed and replaced by a ring road in the 20th century.
Liège Liège One or more individual structures (Bastions, gates, towers, etc.) remain. Several towers and fragments of the medieval city wall remain on the slopes to the north of the old town. The south side of the citadel, featuring three bastions and two ravelins, remains intact. The rest of the citadel was demolished and now the site houses a large hospital. A ring of detached fortresses still encloses the city. In the 19th century, the Dutch constructed large fortress the Chartreuse heights to the east of the city. Although the eastern bastions have been demolished, most of this fortress still stands, be it in a ruinous state after having been neglected since the 1980s
Limbourg Liège Sizable parts of the fortifications remain intact. Although partially demolished, sizable remnants of the city wall can still be seen, surrounding the upper town of Limbourg. The best preserved stretches are located on the eastern side of the old town.
Lo-Reninge West Flanders One or more individual structures (Bastions, gates, towers, etc.) remain. Only the Westpoort, built around 1250 CE, and consisting of two small towers connected by an arch, remains.
Middelburg West Flanders Vestiges of the fortifications are visible in the landscape. Nothing remains above ground of the earth bastions that surrounded this tiny village (which should not be confused with its nearby, much larger Dutch namesake), but the location and course of the defences can still be recognized from air.
Mechelen Antwerpen One or more individual structures (Bastions, gates, towers, etc.) remain. Only the Brusselsepoort (Brussels Gate) remains of the old fortifications of Mechelen.
Menen West Flanders Yes One or more individual structures (Bastions, gates, towers, etc.) remain. Several fragments of the bastioned trace, first built by the French in the 17th century, but extensively rebuilt by the Dutch, remain. Two bastions are still remaining near the Sluizenkaai and Zwemkomstraat, though heavily built by houses. The casemates of one of the bastions remain intact and can be visited.
Mons Hainaut One or more individual structures (Bastions, gates, towers, etc.) remain. Several fragments of the first city wall of mons have been preserved. Of the later defences, only two bastion-like structures remain to the south of the city centre, but the location of the fortifications can still be seen in the zig-zagging street pattern on the east side of the city.
Namur Namur Yes One or more individual structures (Bastions, gates, towers, etc.) remain. Of the defences of the city itself, the enormous arsenal building is the most notable remnant. Some remnants of the bastioned defences may be found in the Parc Louise Marie, as well as at the foot of the citadel. Only small fragments remain of the medieval city wall, most notably a strong round tower, now incorporated into the town hall as the city's belfry. The mighty citadel that grew out of the medieval count's castle, remains mostly intact and can be visited.
Ninove East Flanders One or more individual structures (Bastions, gates, towers, etc.) remain. Only the Koepoort (Cow Gate) remains of the old walls of the town of Ninove.
Ostend West Flanders One or more individual structures (Bastions, gates, towers, etc.) remain. A portion of the bastioned city wall remains to the south of the town center, transformed into a park. East of the harbor stands an old advanced fortification, known as the Halve Maan (Crescent Moon). A short distance further to the east stands the 19th-century Fort Napoleon, now a museum.
Philippeville Namur Yes Vestiges of the fortifications are visible in the landscape. Although the walls themselves were demolished in 1860, an extensive system of 17th-century underground passages remain. A portion of these fortifications is open to the public.
Thuin Hainaut One or more individual structures (Bastions, gates, towers, etc.) remain. Several towers and fragments of wall remain around the old fortress town of Thuin, most notably to the south of the old town, above the Hanging Gardens.
Tongeren Limburg Yes One or more individual structures (Bastions, gates, towers, etc.) remain. Important parts of the 13th-century wall, including several towers and a gate, remain. Outside the medieval town, one can still find remnants of the first Roman wall, which enclosed a much larger area than the medieval wall. Of the much smaller second Roman wall, no above-ground remnants remain.
Tournai Hainaut One or more individual structures (Bastions, gates, towers, etc.) remain. Remnants of fortifications can be found scattered throughout the old town. Of the first fortifications, several towers and a gate remain. Of the second medieval wall, a sizable portion remains to the south-east of the old city, while the Pont des Trous, although severely altered, remains an impressive example of a medieval water gate. A large round tower is all that remains from the fortress built by English king Henry VIII. Of the citadel, only the interior buildings remain, as well as several underground passages which ran underneath the bastions of the fortress.
Veurne West Flanders Vestiges of the fortifications are visible in the landscape. The bendy route of the canal as well as the street plan around the city centre clearly indicate the location of the earthen bastions that used to surround the city.
Ypres West Flanders Yes Sizable parts of the fortifications remain intact. A wall with 3 unusually flat bastions defends the east side of the city. To the south a medieval gate and the lower portions of two medieval towers can be found. Both towers are defended by a ravelin. A park to the east of the city houses a number of underground passages belonging to outworks built by the Dutch.
Zandvliet Antwerp Vestiges of the fortifications are visible in the landscape. The "Conterscherp" road follows the route of the former 17th-century defences around the city, giving the town centre a star shaped appearance from the air.
Zichem Flemish Brabant One or more individual structures (Bastions, gates, towers, etc.) remain. The Maagdentoren (Maiden Tower) is what remains of the medieval town walls. A ring road indicates the trace of the now demolished fortifications.
Zoutleeuw Flemish Brabant One or more individual structures (Bastions, gates, towers, etc.) remain. Remnants of the first 12th-century city wall and a gate can be found incorporated in the old city hall and the adjacent house. Outside the city, a bridge over the river Gete incorporates a partial reconstruction of a 14th-century watergate belonging to the second wall. To the south of the city, several low hills in the landscape indicate the position of a Spanish-built citadel. To the east of the old town stands the “Heksenkot”, a tower of the old city wall.

Bosnia and Herzegovina

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Place Location Accessible Condition Image Notes
Kastel Banja Luka yes presereved
Bihać Una-Sana Canton yes some edifices remaine
Bobovac Central Bosnia Canton yes ruined, royal chapel restored medieval royal seat of Bosnian Kingdom
Daorson Herzegovina-Neretva Canton yes cyclopean walls remain prehistoric fortified settlement Built around a prehistoric central fortified settlement or acropolis (between cca. 17-16th to the end of the Bronze Age, cca. 9-8th c. BCE), surrounded by cyclopean walls (similar to Mycenae) dated to the 4th c. BCE.[12][13]
Walled city of Jajce Central Bosnia Canton yes good
Walled town of Počitelj Herzegovina-Neretva Canton yes good
Walled town of Vidoški Stolac yes preserved
Walled city of Vratnik Sarajevo Canton yes good Vratnik is one of Sarajevo oldest neighborhoods

Bulgaria

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  • Hisarya – the old Roman town is still almost entirely surrounded by the well preserved ruins of its defensive walls.
Roman walls of Hisarya
Vidin fortress

Croatia

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Place Province Accessible Condition Image Notes
Buje
Dubrovnik Dubrovnik-Neretva County yes good Dubrovnik has well-preserved city fortifications including towers, gate, rampart walk and two citadels guarding the docks. Walls of Dubrovnik are among the finest and most complete in Europe.
Diocletian's Palace Split yes good A good portion of the walls of Diocletian's Palace still survive to this day, including 3 gates and long stretches of the fortified defensive Roman walls. Most of the towers are now demolished, apart from 3 square towers, each of them located at a corner of the palace. North of the town center are the remains of a bastion trace, which includes portions of the walls and a bastion located in a park.
Grožnjan
Hvar yes good
Korčula yes good City gate
Krk yes Krk city walls which obtained their current appearance between the 12th and the 15th centuries but the town itself was fortified since Roman period.
Karlovac Karlovac city walls, built in 1579 as a six-point star with bastions.
Omišalj
Oprtalj
Motovun yes good
Nin yes
Novigrad
Novigrad
Pag
Poreč yes
Primošten
Roč
Rovinj yes
Senj City gate
Walls of Ston yes good Fortification walls between Mali Ston and Ston were built in 14th and 15th centuries, at the isthmus of the Pelješac peninsula, to the north of Dubrovnik; 890 meters long town wall and 5 km Great Wall outside the town Ston.
Šibenik yes
Trogir yes good City gate
Zadar yes good Zadar retains about half of its wall.

Cyprus

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Place Condition Image Notes
Famagusta Intact

Main article: Fortifications of Famagusta

The first major fortification in Famagusta was the Othello Tower, which was built by the Lusignans in the 14th century and was later modified by the Venetians. The latter also built city walls in the 15th and 16th centuries, and they remain intact today.

Nicosia Intact

Main article: Walls of Nicosia

The first fortifications in Nicosia were built in the 13th and 14th century. The Venetians demolished the medieval fortifications and replaced them with a circular bastioned enceinte in the late 1560s. The walls remain largely intact except for some breaches.

Kyrenia The remains include some stretches of wall, three towers and a town gate. The Castle is Intact.

The first major fortification in Kyrenia was the Kyrenia Castle, which was built by the Bizantin era. In the 14th century the Lusignans modified the Castle and also built the city walls. Most of the walls were demolished in 1570 after the surrender of the city to the Turks after the fall of Nicosia. Because Famagusta was still resisting, the Turks demolished much of the walls for fear of revolt or attack by the Venetians and the Great Christian Armada. They only kept the towers of the walls for better coverage and the castle.

Czech Republic

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Town wall in Beroun
Wall and tower in Čáslav

Denmark

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  • Fredericia, extensive renaissance ramparts to the north and west of the city and sea facing ramparts.
  • Copenhagen, extensive renaissance ramparts to the south and east, trace remains to the north and west, nice fort at the harbor mouth, three small island fortlets outside the harbor entrance.
  • Nyborg – the remains include three preserved bastions, a town gate and the old town is still mostly surrounded by a moat indicating the locations of the other (now demolished) bastions.
  • Stege, One of the town gates, the Mølleporten, still remains. Most of the earthwork rampart and dry ditch surrounding the town center still remain.

Estonia

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Part of Tallinn City Walls.

Finland

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Caponier "Crescent 1" of the Hamina Fortress with the "Arrow fortress" on the background
The sea fortress of Suomenlinna off the coast of Helsinki
  • Hamina Surrounded by about 4–5 km long star-shaped walled fortification
  • Lappeenranta The old center of the town is located inside a fortress
  • Loviisa It was planned to build a full fortress around the town, but only two bastions were complete
  • Suomenlinna An inhabited sea fortress off the coast of Helsinki

France

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The walled city of Carcassonne in southern France
See also: Fortifications of Vauban

Germany

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Tower and wall in town of Braubach, Germany
The great bulwark in Büdingen
Towers in Cologne, Germany part of former city wall
Tower in Regensburg, Germany part of former city wall
Rothenburg city wall
In the moat of Soest, Germany, with city wall and defense tower
Sömmerda city wall
Worms, Germany city walls

Gibraltar

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Greece

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The walled medieval city of Monemvasia in southern Greece.
The seaside walls of Naupactus, Greece.

Many towns and cities still retain at least parts of their defensive walls, including:

Hungary

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  • Buda – the Castle Hill is surrounded by preserved medieval and early modern fortifications. Only a short section survived from the walls of the Víziváros neighbourhood.
  • Pest – segments of the 15th-century city walls are preserved inside the courtyards of later houses.
  • Eger – some segments preserved, mostly demolished
  • Győr – the walls were demolished in the 19th century but segments are preserved
  • Komárom
  • Kőszeg
  • Mosonmagyaróvár – the walls were demolished in the 1820s
  • Pécs – long sections of the medieval walls are preserved and freed to later intrusions.
  • Sárospatak
  • Sopron – medieval circle of walls partly built on ancient Roman foundations
  • Szécsény – some segments of the city walls preserved
  • Székesfehérvár – long sections of the medieval walls are preserved
  • Vác – some segments and one tower preserved
  • Veszprém – walled old town on Castle Hill

Republic of Ireland

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Place County Condition Image Notes
Ardee County Louth
Athenry County Galway
Athlone County Westmeath
Bandon County Cork
Carlingford County Louth
Cashel County Tipperary
Clonmel County Tipperary
Cork County Cork
Drogheda County Louth Saint Laurence Gate, Drogheda is an original barbican dating from the 13th century. Another town gate survives in Drogheda, the Buttergate. It is thought to have been used as a pedestrian entrance to the town as no road ran to or from it.
Fethard County Tipperary still retains over a kilometer of medieval town wall – 90% of the circuit. Some sections survive to a height of over 8 meters (26 feet)plus).
Dublin County Dublin
Galway County Galway
Kilkenny County Kilkenny
Kilmallock
Limerick County Limerick
New Ross County Wexford
Rindoon / Lecarrow County Roscommon The best preserved abandoned medieval town in Ireland
Trim County Meath
Waterford County Waterford
Wexford County Wexford
Youghal County Cork

Italy

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Towers for city wall in Genoa.
Town wall in Jesi.

Latvia

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  • Riga – the best preserved part of the old town walls is the Powder Tower. Just north west of the Powder Tower remains a stretch of wall with a square tower. Foundations of the wall can be seen at Kalēju iela street, and there are fragments of a ruined wall at the site of a demolished building at Minsterejas iela street. The only remains of the earthen ramparts around the old town is a star shaped moat, now transformed into a park.
  • Cēsis
  • Daugavpils fortress (Not a true walled city, but a huge fortress with buildings)
  • Limbaži
  • Valmiera

Lithuania

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Luxembourg

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Bastion Beck from Metz Square in Luxembourg City.

North Macedonia

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Malta

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Place Region Condition Image Notes
Birgu South Eastern Region Mostly intact
Main article: Fortifications of Birgu

An ancient Castrum Maris stood in Birgu since the 13th century. This was rebuilt as Fort St Angelo in the 16th and 17th centuries, when walls surrounding the entire city were built. Most of the fortifications are intact, except for a small part which was destroyed in a magazine explosion in 1806.

Cospicua South Eastern Region Mostly intact
Main articles: Santa Margherita Lines and Cottonera Lines

The fortifications were built by the Order of Saint John in the 17th and 18th centuries. The city was heavily bombed in the Second World War, but its fortifications remain largely intact although they are in need of restoration.

Floriana South Eastern Region Mostly intact
Main article: Floriana Lines

The area was fortified in the 17th century when the Floriana Lines were built. The walls remain largely intact, although in a rather dilapidated state.

Mdina Northern Region Intact
Main article: Fortifications of Mdina

The town was first fortified by the Phoenicians, and the current fortifications are based on those built by the Arabs in the 9th to 11th centuries. The fortifications were extensively modified in the Middle Ages, and then by the Order of Saint John until the 18th century. The walls were recently restored, and they are some of the best preserved fortifications in Malta.

Senglea South Eastern Region Partly intact
Main article: Fortifications of Senglea
The town was fortified in the 1550s by the Order of Saint John. Most of its fortifications including Fort Saint Michael were dismantled in the 19th and 20th centuries, and the walls sustained damage in World War II. However, some still survive to this day, including the impressive seaward bastions and part of the land front.
Valletta South Eastern Region Mostly intact
Main article: Fortifications of Valletta
The fortifications of Valletta were built by the Order of Saint John between 1566 and 1571, and continued to be modified several times in the following centuries. The City Gate was rebuilt five times, the latest one being completed in 2014. The fortifications of Valletta remain intact, except for a lunette that was demolished in the 19th century and some breaches in the walls.
Victoria Gozo Region Intact (Cittadella)
Demolished (city walls)
Main article: Cittadella (Gozo)

The area was first fortified in the Bronze Age, and was one of the earliest settlements on the Maltese islands. It became the administrative centre of Gozo during Punic-Roman rule. The city of Rabat (now also known as Victoria) was fortified during the Middle Ages, with the acropolis of the Roman city being converted into a castle known as the Cittadella. The city walls were demolished in the 17th century, and at this point the Cittadella was rebuilt by the Order of Saint John. No remains of the city walls survive, but the Cittadella survives intact.

Monaco

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Montenegro

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Defensive walls of Kalaja, Ulcinj.

Netherlands

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Place Province Accessible Condition Image Notes
's-Hertogenbosch North Brabant Yes Sizable parts of the fortifications remain intact. Of the first city wall, built in the 13th century, one tower, belonging to one of the city gates, remains incorporated in a house on the Hinthamerstraat. Another remnant of the first city wall is formed by a gate over one of the arms of the Binnendieze River near the Korte Waterstraat. Sizable sections of the second, 13th-century city walls, and 17th- and 18th-century bastions remain intact as they serve as flood prevention measures. Of special note is the 17th-century pentagonal citadel.
Aardenburg Zeeland Vestiges of the fortifications are visible in the landscape. In 1625 AD, a new trace of earthen ramparts was built. These defenses were demolished between 1688 and 1701 AD. One city gate, the Westpoort, survives. Additionally, remnants of bastions, ravelins, and other outworks are clearly distinguishable in the fields surrounding the town. The foundations of a Roman gatehouse with 2 towers can be found at the Burchtstraat. The foundations of a Roman tower are now incorporated in the playground of a local school.
Amersfoort Utrecht Yes Sizable parts of the fortifications remain intact. Of the first 13th-century city wall, one tower and the barbican of one gate, the Kamperbinnenpoort, remain. After the enlargement of the city in 1450 AD, houses were built on the location of the first wall, and occasionally incorporating fragments of that wall in their structure. Of the 15th-century wall, several stretches remain to the north-east of the old town, while the foundations of the wall have been made visible on the south-eastern side. Two 15th-century gates remain as well; the koppelpoort, a combined land and water gate, and the Monnickendam, a water gate.
Amsterdam North Holland One or more individual structures (Bastions, gates, towers, etc.) remain. Of the medieval walls, the Sint Antoniuspoort is the most important remnant. Other remnants of the same wall are the Schreierstoren and the lower part of one of the towers of the former Regulierspoort. Of the later Baroque defenses, only the Muiderpoort remains intact, while some of the bastions can still be recognizable in the bendy course of the outer moat that still surrounds the old town. The most recent defensive structure around the city is the Stelling van Amsterdam, a 135 km long ring of fortifications around Amsterdam, consisting of 42 forts and other works.
Arnhem Gelderland One or more individual structures (Bastions, gates, towers, etc.) remain. Only the 14th-century Sabelspoort remains.
Asperen Gelderland One or more individual structures (Bastions, gates, towers, etc.) remain. On the side of the Linge River, a stone wall, incorporating the bases of several towers, remains. The water gate, giving access to the old harbor, is partially reconstructed. On the land side, parts of earthen ramparts and moats remain.
Bad Nieuweschans Groningen Vestiges of the fortifications are visible in the landscape. The walls of the tiny fortified village have been partially demolished, although a small section remains.
Bergen op Zoom North Brabant Yes One or more individual structures (Bastions, gates, towers, etc.) remain. Of the medieval fortifications, only the 14th-century Gevangenpoort remains. Of the extensive 17th-century fortifications, only one single ravelin remains.
Bolsward Friesland Yes One or more individual structures (Bastions, gates, towers, etc.) remain. A moat still encloses the town center.
Bourtange Groningen Yes The fortifications were recently reconstructed. The original fortifications were demolished in the 19th century, but have been reconstructed from 1960 onwards, in a successful effort to revitalize the village.
Breda North Brabant One or more individual structures (Bastions, gates, towers, etc.) remain. The only notable remnant of the city walls is the Spanjaardsgat gate; a water gate defended by two multiangular towers. It forms part of the defenses around Breda Castle, which in turn formed an integral part of the city walls.
Bredevoort Gelderland Yes One or more individual structures (Bastions, gates, towers, etc.) remain. Part of the ramparts, located on the north-east of the town, have been reshaped into a park. To the south-west, a windmill stands on top of a remnant of one of the bastions.
Brielle South Holland Yes The city wall remains intact. The old town is completely enclosed by earth ramparts, featuring nine bastions, as well as multiple outer works.
Brouwershaven Zeeland Yes One or more individual structures (Bastions, gates, towers, etc.) remain. Part of the ramparts, located on the east and north of the town, remain intact.
Buren Gelderland Yes Sizable parts of the fortifications remain intact. On the east side of town, facing the river, an impressive wall remains. On the north-west side of the town, a city gate remains, flanked by a row of houses built against the old town wall.
Culemborg Gelderland One or more individual structures (Bastions, gates, towers, etc.) remain. The old town, its medieval extensions, and the site of the old castle, are still surrounded by a moat. Of the oldest, the 14th-century city wall, one city gate remains, while several fragments of the city wall stand on the south and east sides of the old town.
Delft South Holland One or more individual structures (Bastions, gates, towers, etc.) remain. The old town is for the most part still surrounded by a moat. Along this moat stand two towers belonging to the medieval wall. On the eastern end of the old town stands the Oostpoort, a 15th-century combined land and water gate.
Doesburg Gelderland Yes Sizable parts of the fortifications remain intact. The fortifications around the old city have been demolished, but the advanced line of defenses to the east of the city remains intact as part of a nature reserve.
Dokkum Friesland Yes The city wall remains intact. The old city is completely enclosed by a line of earth ramparts, featuring five bastions.
Dordrecht South Holland One or more individual structures (Bastions, gates, towers, etc.) remain. The old city is completely enclosed by a moat, while the old harbor is guarded by the Groothoofdspoort, a late medieval city gate, later rebuilt in a Renaissance style.
Elburg Gelderland Yes Sizable parts of the fortifications remain intact. The old city is completely enclosed by a moat and a 16th-century rectangular earthen rampart with a bastion at each corner. The rampart was changed into a park in the 19th century, but the defenses are still easily recognizable. Several of the old gates were defended by a barbican, the lower parts of which have been excavated and the casemates of one of the barbicans can be visited. Several sections of the medieval city wall still stand behind the 16th-century rampart. One tower of the medieval wall had been changed into a gate in the 16th century. This structure forms the last remaining city gate of the old town.
Enkhuizen North Holland Yes Sizable parts of the fortifications remain intact. The landward side of the old town is still completely surrounded by an earthen rampart with five bastions. The last remaining gate facing the landward side of the city is the 17th-century Koepoort. The most impressive remnant of the fortifications is the 16th-century 'Drommedaris' gate, which stands near the harbor.
Franeker Friesland One or more individual structures (Bastions, gates, towers, etc.) remain. The old city is completely enclosed by a moat. The locations of the old bastions and bulwarks are still recognizable in the shape of the moat.
Gennep Limburg Sizable parts of the fortifications remain intact. Lowered remnants of the old city walls surround the west and north sides of the old town.
Geertruidenberg North Brabant Yes Sizable parts of the fortifications remain intact. Most of the fortifications were demolished, but restored sections of the bastioned trace remains to the north and east sides of the old town.
Goes Zeeland One or more individual structures (Bastions, gates, towers, etc.) remain. The old city is completely enclosed by a moat. The locations of the old bastions and bulwarks are still recognizable in the shape of the moat.
Gorinchem South Holland Yes The city wall remains intact. The old city is completely enclosed by an intact city wall. To the west of the city, the bastioned trace was demolished in order to accommodate the construction of a canal. The defences on that side were subsequently replaced by a Caponier.
Gouda South Holland One or more individual structures (Bastions, gates, towers, etc.) remain. The old city is completely enclosed by a moat. The remains of a town gate are located near a street named Bogen, meaning 'Arcs', named after the arcs built in the medieval town wall which its trace once ran alongside the Turfsingel side of the street. A part of the town wall is located at the corner Oosthaven with Nieuwe Veerstal. This part of the walls itself once was a part of Gouda castle. Other remains of the castle include subterraneans, cellars and fundaments of walls and touwers arel located in the Houtmanplantsoen, behind the nearby windmill. The lower part of this windmill is a remnant of one of the castle's towers.
Grave North Brabant One or more individual structures (Bastions, gates, towers, etc.) remain. Fragments of the double system of moats remain, as well as one city gate. The lower portions of several round medieval towers can be seen at the old harbor. The water gate, leading down to the river Maas, is a recent reconstruction.
Groenlo Gelderland Yes One or more individual structures (Bastions, gates, towers, etc.) remain. The old town is partially surrounded by an old moat, which clearly shows the locations of the old bastions. Part of the bastion trace has been reconstructed.
Groningen Groningen One or more individual structures (Bastions, gates, towers, etc.) remain. The old town is surrounded by a moat.
Haarlem North Holland One or more individual structures (Bastions, gates, towers, etc.) remain. The old city centre is still partially surrounded by a moat. To the north of the city, the moat clearly shows the locations of the old bastions, which have been changed into a park. One city gate remains; the 14th-century Amsterdamse Poort.\
Hardenberg Overijssel Vestiges. The only remnant of the medieval town walls is a small lowerd part of a wall at the western end of the Wilhelminaplein, next to an old water pump.
Harderwijk Gelderland One or more individual structures (Bastions, gates, towers, etc.) remain. Several sections of the old medieval wall remains, the most sizable parts being located to the north of the old city, facing the former Zuiderzee. Two gates, the Vischpoort and the Smeepoort, still remain. The Vischpoort has a lighthouse installed on the roof.
Harlingen Friesland One or more individual structures (Bastions, gates, towers, etc.) remain. Several sections of the moat, indicating the presence of three of the old bastions, remain on the east side of the city.
Hasselt Overijssel One or more individual structures (Bastions, gates, towers, etc.) remain. On the landside of the city, remnants of the ramparts, featuring four sizable bastions, remain incorporated in a park.
Hattem Gelderland One or more individual structures (Bastions, gates, towers, etc.) remain. On the landside of the old town center some remnants of the city walls remain. On the side of the old town facing the river IJssel, the Dijkpoort can be found.
Hellevoetsluis South Holland Yes The city wall remains intact. The old navy harbor is still entirely surrounded by a bastion trace, which is outfitted with a brick revetment on the side of the walls facing the river.
Heukelum Gelderland One or more individual structures (Bastions, gates, towers, etc.) remain. The town is still enclosed by a moat on the three sides facing away from the river Linge.
Heusden North Brabant The fortifications were recently reconstructed. The city walls had been slighted in the 19th century, but have been extensively reconstructed during the middle of the 20th century.
Hoorn North Holland One or more individual structures (Bastions, gates, towers, etc.) remain. The old town is still surrounded by a moat. One city gate remains, the 16th-century Oosterpoort. The most notable remnant of the city defenses, however, is the Hoofdtoren, an impressive 16th-century tower, built to defend the harbor.
Hulst Zeeland Yes The city wall remains intact. The old town is still surrounded by a rampart and a moat. Several remnants of outer works, such as ravelins and an outer wall, remain.
IJzendijke Zeeland One or more individual structures (Bastions, gates, towers, etc.) remain. Some fragments of the old moat remain. One ravelin belonging to the old fortifications has been restored
IJsselstein Utrecht One or more individual structures (Bastions, gates, towers, etc.) remain. The old moat remains, while some remnants of the town wall remain on the south and east side of the old town.
Kampen Overijssel One or more individual structures (Bastions, gates, towers, etc.) remain. The old moat remains, while the old earthen ramparts remain incorporated in a park. Three medieval city gates remain, two of which have been rebuilt in a renaissance style. The largest gate, the Kroonmarktpoort, retained its medieval appearance.
Klundert North Brabant Yes One or more individual structures (Bastions, gates, towers, etc.) remain. Several sections of the ramparts and bastions remain intact to the north and south of the old town.
Leerdam Utrecht Yes One or more individual structures (Bastions, gates, towers, etc.) remain. The city wall remains intact on the side of the town facing the river Linge.
Leeuwarden Friesland One or more individual structures (Bastions, gates, towers, etc.) remain. The old town is still entirely surrounded by a moat. Several bastions to the north of the old town have been changed into a park.
Leiden South Holland One or more individual structures (Bastions, gates, towers, etc.) remain. The old city is still surrounded by a moat. Of the city defenses, two city gates remain and one medieval tower stand to the south of the old town. Part of a bastion on the east side of the city has been reconstructed.
Maastricht Limburg Yes Sizable parts of the fortifications remain intact. Important parts of all major fortification systems remain intact. Of the first city wall, the Helpoort [nl] gate remains, as well as several important sections of the oldest 13th-century city wall. Important parts of the second medieval city wall remain on the east side of the old town, while extensive remnants of the complicated system of baroque fortifications can be found to the north. Additionally, a large network of communication tunnels, casemates, and countermines remain underneath the present outskirts of the city, which were built on top of the old city walls.
Megen North Brabant One or more individual structures (Bastions, gates, towers, etc.) remain. Only a single 14th-century tower, known as the Gevangenpoort, remains.
Middelburg Zeeland Yes One or more individual structures (Bastions, gates, towers, etc.) remain. The bastioned trace of the city wall has been changed into a park and is still surrounded by a moat. Only one city gate remains, the 18th-century Koepoort.
Montfoort Utrecht One or more individual structures (Bastions, gates, towers, etc.) remain. One of the medieval city gates has been incorporated into the town hall. Another remaining portion of the town wall remains to the south west of the old town.
Muiden North Holland Yes Sizable parts of the fortifications remain intact. The 16th-century town walls were greatly adapted in the 19th century, when the town became part of the advanced defenses of Amsterdam. The city walls located to the west of the river Vecht remain intact, as do the walls around the Muiderslot castle.
Naarden North Holland Yes The city wall remains intact. Naarden is one of the best preserved fortified cities in Europe, featuring a double system of moats and walls, built in the 17th century. The inner wall features numerous tunnels, casemates, and barracks.
Nieuwpoort, South Holland South Holland Yes The city wall remains intact. The tiny town is entirely surrounded by an earth rampart featuring six bastions and a false bray in front of the curtain walls. The town hall is built over a canal running through the center of town and defends a system of locks with which the land surrounding the fortress could be inundated.
Nijmegen Gelderland Sizable parts of the fortifications remain intact. Sizable parts of the medieval city walls remain to the west and east of the old city. The most notable remnant is the wall, and three towers, located in the Kronenburger park. Of the three towers, the Kronenburger tower is arguable one of the most impressive medieval towers in the Netherlands.
Ootmarsum Overijssel Vestiges. The old town is still fully enclosed bij two ringroads, called the Westwal (Western wall) and the Oostwal (Eastern wall), indicating the trace of the medieval walls.
Oudeschans Groningen Yes Sizable parts of the fortifications remain intact. The walls of the tiny fortified village have been partially demolished, but remain very recognizable. Part of the city walls have subsequently been reconstructed in the 20th century.
Oudewater Utrecht One or more individual structures (Bastions, gates, towers, etc.) remain. The old city is enclosed by a moat. The locations of some of the old bastions and bulwarks are still recognizable in the shape of the moat.
Philippine, Netherlands Zeeland Vestiges of the fortifications are visible in the landscape. Remnants of bastions, ravelins, and other outworks are clearly distinguishable in the fields surrounding the town.
Ravenstein North Brabant One or more individual structures (Bastions, gates, towers, etc.) remain. A moat surrounds much of the old town, clearly showing the location of bastions and ravelins. The remnants of two hornworks are visible to the north and south of the old town. The side of the town facing the river Maas features the remnants of two bastions, excavated from the body of the dyke, as well as the single remaining city gate.
Retranchement Zeeland Yes The city wall remains intact. Retranchement was built in 1604 AD as an entrenched camp, consisting of two small, square forts, connected by a wall with three bastions. The northern fort no longer exists as it was destroyed in a flood in 1682 AD.
Rhenen Utrecht One or more individual structures (Bastions, gates, towers, etc.) remain. Lowered fragments of the 14th-century city wall can be found to the south of the old town. To the north, a windmill stands on top of a remnant of the wall. On the eastern entrance of the old town, the remnants of a sizable barracane can be found.
Roermond Limburg One or more individual structures (Bastions, gates, towers, etc.) remain. Several fragments of the medieval city wall remain. The most notable and best preserved remnant is the Rattentoren, a 14th-century round tower standing on the north side of the old town.
Sas van Gent Zeeland One or more individual structures (Bastions, gates, towers, etc.) remain. Of the once powerful and strategic fortress, very little remains. Most of the fortifications were demolished in 1930. What remains are the remnants of one bastion, upon which the base of an old windmill stands, and the remnants of an old late 17th-century tidal mill, which was built into the fortifications.
Schiedam South Holland One or more individual structures (Bastions, gates, towers, etc.) remain. Parts of the moat remain, including the northern and western part. The famous Schiedam windmills are built on top of the bases of wall towers.
Schoonhoven South Holland Yes One or more individual structures (Bastions, gates, towers, etc.) remain. Only a fragment of the old moat remains on the landward side of the town. On the riverside stands the Waterpoort, the last remaining city gate, with some adjacent stretches of the old town walls.
Sittard Limburg Yes Sizable parts of the fortifications remain intact. The powerful fortress town was destroyed by French forces in 1677 AD. Sizable remnants of the medieval city wall remain, buried underneath a later earthen rampart which still surrounds most of the old town.
Sluis Zeeland Yes The city wall remains intact. The old town of Sluis was completely destroyed in the second world war, but he extensive fortification system remained intact and can still be visited today.
Sloten Zeeland Yes Sizable parts of the fortifications remain intact. The tiny fortress town of Sloten is still mostly surrounded by its ramparts, while the moat still completely encircles the town. Two water gates remain intact at the places where an old canal dissects the town.
Steenbergen North Brabant Vestiges of the fortifications are visible in the landscape. Some fragments of the old moat remain. The locations of the old bastions can be recognized by the course of the moat and the street pattern. Remnants of the outer works are distinguishable in the surrounding landscape.
Steenwijk Overijssel Yes Sizable parts of the fortifications remain intact. Sizable parts of the moats and ramparts remain.
Stevensweert Limburg Vestiges of the fortifications are visible in the landscape. Although the walls themselves have been demolished, the town was built as an ideal fortress, and features the characteristic spider web street pattern that many such towns were built with. Part of the city walls have been reconstructed from 2007 AD onwards.
Tholen Zeeland Yes One or more individual structures (Bastions, gates, towers, etc.) remain. The ramparts were changed into a park, but the moat is still present and four bastions are still recognizable.
Tiel Gelderland One or more individual structures (Bastions, gates, towers, etc.) remain. Fragments of the moat remain, as well as one city gate.
Utrecht Utrecht Yes One or more individual structures (Bastions, gates, towers, etc.) remain. The medieval city wall has been completely demolished. Remnants of three of the 16th-century Italian style bastions remain. The most complete bastion is Sonnenborgh. Most of the old city fortifications were changed into an English style landscape park in the 19th century. The Dutch Water Line forms a double ring of fortresses where it passes east of the city.
Valkenburg aan de Geul Limburg One or more individual structures (Bastions, gates, towers, etc.) remain. Two city gates remain at the foot of the ruined castle. Part of the city wall remains to the west side of the old town. The small Den Halder castle was built around an old tower of the city wall.
Veere Zeeland Yes Sizable parts of the fortifications remain intact. The Campveerse toren is a large medieval tower that still guards the entrance to the old harbor today. The later earth ramparts remain mostly intact, especially the enlargements built by order of Napoleon
Venlo Limburg One or more individual structures (Bastions, gates, towers, etc.) remain. Nearly nothing remains of the once extensive fortifications of Venlo. The most extensive remnant being a stretch of 14th-century wall known as the "Luif"
Vianen Utrecht One or more individual structures (Bastions, gates, towers, etc.) remain. The Lekpoort is the last remaining city gate of the little town of Vianen. Apart from the gate, a large part of the town is still enclosed by a moat, while a sizable length of (lowered) city wall still stands on the south side of the town.
Vlissingen Zeeland Yes One or more individual structures (Bastions, gates, towers, etc.) remain. Several remnants of bastions, curtain walls and a tower of a medieval city gate, still stand on the waterside. The landward facing defenses have all been demolished.
Wageningen Gelderland One or more individual structures (Bastions, gates, towers, etc.) remain. The foundations of a small stretch of the medieval city wall have been unearthed and restored. Of the later ramparts, the moat remains, its trace clearly showing the locations of the old bastions.
Weesp North Holland Yes The city wall remains intact. Only four of the planned eight bastions were constructed. All four remain intact and surrounded by a moat. In the 19th century, a circular fort was constructed on an island in the river Vecht.
Willemstad North Brabant Yes The city wall remains intact. In 1583 AD, prince William of Orange orders the construction of a fortified city on the location of the village of Ruigenhil. The city, called Willemstad, is still entirely surrounded by its seven sided city wall.
Wijk bij Duurstede Utrecht One or more individual structures (Bastions, gates, towers, etc.) remain. A portion of the moat remains, as do several fragments of the city wall facing the riverside. One city gate still stands as a windmill has been built on top of it. The ramparts that surround the ruins of Duurstede castle have been reshaped into a landscape style park.
Woerden Utrecht Yes One or more individual structures (Bastions, gates, towers, etc.) remain. Sizable sections of the inner and outer moats still remain and several of the bastions are still recognizable as such. The medieval castle still stands on the south eastern side of the old town.
Woudrichem North Brabant Yes The city wall remains intact. The city received a set of strong ramparts with seven bastions in 1580 AD. Only one of the gates, the Gevangenpoort, now remains
Zaltbommel Gelderland Yes Sizable parts of the fortifications remain intact. The earthen ramparts and its bastions were made into an English landscape park in the 19th century, but the structures remain intact up to a significant height and are easily recognizable. The outer moat still encloses the landward side of the city. Behind the earthen ramparts stand several sizable fragments of the medieval city wall.
Zierikzee Zeeland Yes One or more individual structures (Bastions, gates, towers, etc.) remain. A moat still surrounds the old town. While the walls have been demolished, three medieval gates remain. Of these gates, the ensemble of the Noordhavenpoort and Zuidhavenpoort, which guard the entrance to the old harbor, form one of the most impressive remaining medieval defensive structures in the Netherlands
Zutphen Gelderland One or more individual structures (Bastions, gates, towers, etc.) remain. Remnants of moats from the medieval and post-medieval fortifications are still visible around the old town. The remnants of the medieval fortifications include several towers, the impressive Drogenapstoren gate, the Bourgonjetoren bastion, a water gate named Berkel gate, and a sizable stretch of the old city wall to the south of the old town.
Zwolle Overijssel One or more individual structures (Bastions, gates, towers, etc.) remain. The moat, still clearly showing the remnants of the old bastions, still encloses the old town. The Sassenpoort is the sole remaining city gate, but is one of the largest and most impressive gates of the Netherlands. A number of fragments of the medieval city wall, including two strong towers, still stand along the waterside of the Thorbeckegracht

Norway

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Poland

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City walls in Warsaw
City walls in Kraków
City walls in Paczków
Chojna
City walls in Olkusz
City walls in Szydłów
City walls in Stargard Szczeciński
City walls in Wrocław

Portugal

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Romania

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The Sassanian fortress in Derbent.
The Smolensk City Wall from the 16th century

Russia

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City walls
Inside Smederevo Fortress
Golubac Fortress
  • Vyborg (two towers of the medieval wall remain, while one bastion on one side and a full set on the other remain from the bastioned fortifications)
  • Yaroslavl (only several towers still stand)
  • Novokuznetsk
  • Gorodets
Kremlins (citadels)

Serbia

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Slovakia

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A part of the remaining defensive walls of Bratislava
Town castle in Kremnica

Slovenia

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  • Celje
  • Koper
  • Kranj – evidence of the 1st-century fortifications and parts of the medieval fortifications, with four of the original eight towers preserved
  • Ljubljana – In the 1st century AD, a Roman settlement called Emona, on the site of the present-day Ljubljana, was fortified with strong walls. A small section of the southern wall is still preserved to this day. Ljubljana got its medieval walls, like many other towns in Slovenia, in the 13th century
  • Maribor – Originally 13th-century fortifications, rebuilt several times until the 17th century; some segments, including three towers and two bastions, are still preserved. Withstood sieges by Matthias Corvinus in 1480/1481 and by the Ottoman Empire in 1532.
  • Novo Mesto
  • Piran – 7th-century fortification, expanded between 1470 and 1533
  • Ptuj – 13th-century fortification
  • Slovenj Gradec
  • Škofja Loka
  • Vipavski Križ

Spain

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Sweden

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  • City wall of Visby
  • Gothenburg has a part of the western city wall left, the bastion Carolus Rex at Esperantoplatsen (Esperanto square) and most of the city moat is still left.
  • Halmstad had renaissance ramparts. To the north of the old town a bastion with adjacent town gate remains, the Norre Port. To the south of the old town a bastion with a remnant of the moat remains.
  • Kalmar substantial remains of the walls. Sizable stretches of walls and a bastion remain to the south of the old town. To the east remain two bastions. To the north remain portions of wall near Fiskaregatan. To the west the shape of two bastions is clearly recognizable, with a ravelin in front of the remaining town gate Westport (Westgate). Two other town gates still remain, an unmanned gate of later date at the Skeppsbrogatan, and a gate at Skeppsbron.
  • Stockholm has a small remainder of the medieval city wall preserved.
  • Bohus Fortress

Switzerland

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Plan of Geneva and environs in 1841. The colossal fortifications, among the most important in Europe, were demolished ten years later.

Turkey

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A surviving section of the stone base of the walls of Troy, Turkey
  • Troy. The ancient city of Troy was famous for its defensive walls. There is archaeological evidence that Troy VII, generally identified as the stage of the legendary Trojan War of Homer's Iliad, usually dated between 1194 BC – 1184 BC, had walls with a carefully built stone base over four meters thick and some nine meters high in places, which was surmounted by a larger superstructure with towers in mudbrick. The walls in Homer's epic are so mighty that the siege of Troy by Achaeans lasts more than nine years, and only could be finished with the trickery of the Trojan Horse. Sections of the stone base of Trojan walls still survive on the archaeological site in present-day Hisarlık, in Çanakkale Province.
  • Istanbul. The system of walls around (as it was then known) Constantinople built in 412 by the Roman emperor Theodosius II was a complex stone barrier that stretched 6.5 kilometers and is often called the Wall of Theodosius. This barrier stood impregnable for ten centuries and resisted several violent sieges until 1453 when the Ottomans succeeded in breaching the walls. There was a new element in the battlefield: the Ottoman army had powder cannon and the walls offered limited resistance to them.
Roman walls of Diyarbakır, Turkey
  • Diyarbakır. Diyarbakır is surrounded by an almost intact, dramatic set of high walls of black basalt forming a 5.5 km (3.4 mi) circle around the old city. There are four gates into the old city and 82 watch-towers on the walls, which were built in antiquity, restored and extended by the Roman emperor Constantius in 349.
  • Ankara
  • Çanakkale
  • İznik
  • Antalya
  • Sinop
  • Rize
  • Amasya
  • Bodrum
  • Alanya
  • Ani
  • Kuşadası
  • Pergamon
  • Assos
  • Bozcaada
  • Edirne
  • Trabzon. Most of the city walls are still standing and are among the city's oldest buildings. Their oldest part can be dated back to the 1st century AD during the Roman Empire era. Historical sources provide information about older stages of their construction. Xenophon, who visited the city in the 5th century BC also mentioned the existence of city walls
  • Enez
  • Bursa
  • Sığacık

Ukraine

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City walls
Citadels and castles

United Kingdom

[edit]

England

[edit]
Main article: List of town walls in England and Wales
Place County Condition Image Notes
Alnwick Northumberland Grade 1 listed Bondgate (Hotspur Gateway) and section of wall remain of medieval defences, Pottergate Tower is C18 rebuild of medieval gate and may incorporate some medieval fabric.
Bath Somerset Several fragments of the medieval wall still survive. The East Gate is the only remaining gateway. The length of wall opposite the Mineral Water Hospital is largely a reconstruction of the medieval wall. By far the best length, over 160 ft, could until 1963 be seen on the site cleared by an air-raid in 1940. This was the SE corner of the medieval city. The remains of this wall now lie buried below the floor of the new Woolworths store.
Berwick-upon-Tweed Northumberland The Elizabethan ramparts with their bastions, gateways and earthworks survive. Spades Mire is an earthwork linear ditches, possibly forming an outer line of defence for medieval Berwick. Situated on the south side of the ditch are traces of an accompanying rampart, now much spread and up to 13m wide. The Lord's Mount is a massive curved stone bulwark which was built in the 1540s to protect the town walls at their weakest point.
Bridgnorth Shropshire The North Gate is still present, the site of the former Postern Gate still very visible; and parts of the wall now form garden walls in various parts of the town. Bridgnorth's town walls were initially constructed in timber between 1216 and 1223; murage grants allowed them to be upgraded to stone between the 13th and 15th centuries.[18]
Bristol Bristol Most of the walls were demolished in 1760, although traces and one city gate remain. The walls were initially raised by Geoffrey de Montbray, a Norman nobleman who built Bristol Castle.
Canterbury Kent Over half of the original circuit survives, including Westgate, the largest surviving city gate in England. Originally fortified by the Romans
Carlisle Cumbria The castle and western walls largely survive.
Chester Cheshire Mostly intact the city walls are one of the city's biggest tourist attractions. They were originally built by the Romans and continue to form a complete ring around much of the present-day city centre.
Chichester West Sussex The original Roman city wall was over 6 1⁄2 foot (2.0 m) thick with a steep ditch (which was later used to divert the River Lavant). It survived for over one and a half thousand years but was then replaced by a thinner Georgian wall.
Colchester Essex Approximately half of the walls remain. The town was surrounded by a wall built by the Romans after Boudica had sacked the town.
Coventry West Midlands Two gates survive, connected by a section of wall that runs through Lady Herbert's Garden. Other small fragments dotted around the city centre, mainly hidden by modern buildings, include the remains of a bastion near Upper Well Street. Several fragments have been incorporated into newer buildings, including the Town Wall Tavern.[19] The walls were mostly demolished in 1662
Durham County Durham The Castle formed the largest part of Durham's defences, with the neighbouring "Backgate", demolished in the 1760s, which sat across Sadler Street. This was accompanied by a Gaol, which survived until the 1840s, remains of which are present in an alley off Sadler Street. Other walls surrounding the centre of Durham survive between the River Wear, and the houses lining a number of thoroughfares: Sadler Street, North Bailey, South Bailey, and Palace Green. The street names North Bailey and South Bailey are testament to this fact. It is debatable just how defensive these walls were, and some parts have since become garden walls. The archway of a Water Gate survives where South Bailey meets Prebends' Bridge.
Exeter Devon The walls comprise Roman, Anglo-Saxon and medieval elements. 72% of the circuit survives.
Great Yarmouth Norfolk About two-thirds of the wall remains. Of the original eighteen towers, eleven survive. The walls date back to the Middle Ages
Hartlepool County Durham Dating from the late 14th century, the limestone wall once enclosed the whole of the medieval town.
Hereford Herefordshire
Kingston upon Hull East Riding of Yorkshire
Leicester Leicestershire Mostly demolished in the 16th century. The city walls were originally built by the Romans and most of them still remained by the 15th century, however archaeological evidence suggests that they were partially destroyed and rebuilt a number of times, including after the 1173 rebellion.[20]
Lincoln Lincolnshire Fragmentary remains
London Greater London Fragments of London's Wall, the wall that once surrounded the Roman town of Londinium, are still visible just outside the Museum of London and at Tower Hill in the City of London.
Ludlow Shropshire Good lengths of the wall remain and a number of the gates too
Newcastle upon Tyne Tyne and Wear Much of the town wall was demolished during the late 18th and early 19th centuries but several sections still remain.
Norwich Norfolk
Oxford Oxfordshire Major fragments are preserved in the gardens of New College and Merton College and as part of the exterior wall of Pembroke College on Brewer Street.
Rochester Kent The city walls were first built by the Romans.
Rye East Sussex In 1377 the town was sacked by the French, after which the city walls were completed as a defence against foreign raiders.
Salisbury Wiltshire Around the original medieval city, including the cathedral and the close.
Shrewsbury Shropshire One long section remains along the 'Town Walls' road; other shorter sections exist, such as behind Newport House on Dogpole, and near Shrewsbury Castle
Southampton Hampshire Lengthy sections of Southampton town walls remain, especially to the south and west.
Wareham Dorset Wareham town defences consist of an earthen rampart and ditch. The best preserved Saxon town walls in England
Warwick Warwickshire Two of the three main gates of the Norman town wall survive.
Winchelsea East Sussex Three of four gateways survive from the walls built c. 1415; Strand Gate (late 13th century), Pipewell or Land Gate (rebuilt, early 15th century) and New Gate (late 13th century).
Winchester Hampshire Walls fragmentary, but traceable throughout their length. Repaired in 14th and 15th centuries. Limestone rubble. South east corner of full height complete with battlements. Walls shared by the city, Wolvesey Palace, Cathedral Close and Wolvesey Castle. Two gates remain. Wall ran along line of Roman Wall."
Worcester Worcestershire Remains of the Worcester city walls can still be seen
York North Yorkshire the extensive city walls are the longest and most complete in England, lacking only a few short sections and most of the posterns.

Northern Ireland

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Place County Condition Image Notes
Bangor County Down
Carrickfergus County Antrim Only a few fragments of the walls remain
Derry County Londonderry Completely intact The city walls were completed in 1619, it was the last walled city to be built in Europe the walls are entirely intact (the only city on the island of Ireland to hold this distinction). The walls withstood several sieges, including the Siege of Derry in 1689. As the walls were never breached the city gained its nickname as "the maiden city".

Scotland

[edit]
Main article: List of town defences in Scotland
Place Condition Image Notes
Dundee Only one section of the city walls remain First constructed in 1545, the Wishart Arch.
Edinburgh Fragments of the 16th-century Flodden Wall and 17th-century Telfer Wall remain. Walls were first constructed in the 12th century, although none of these remain today.
Stirling 5 significant segments of the 16th century town wall remain, including two defensive bastions. The irregular 7m high and 1.8m thick wall was constructed to defend the southern and western approaches to the town, and today is bordered by the public walkway "the back walk"
St Andrews Only two city gates remain.

Wales

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Main article: List of town walls in England and Wales

Vatican City

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See also

[edit]

References

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  1. ^ "12 Impressive Walled Cities in the World". Retrieved 9 December 2012.
  2. ^ a b "Discovering the secret city from the 1700s under Halifax". CTV Atlantic. BellMedia. 30 April 2019. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  3. ^ "Le Bourg des Trois Rivières".
  4. ^ "Defenses – History – Colony of Avalon". www.heritage.nf.ca.
  5. ^ "Baluarte de Santiago". Fodor's. Retrieved 30 October 2009.
  6. ^ Castillero, Alfredo (2004). UNESCO Guides: Panamá la Vieja and Casco Viejo. UNESCO Publishing. ISBN 92-3-103923-7.
  7. ^ "St. Augustine Town Plan Historic District-American Latino Heritage: A Discover Our Shared Heritage Travel Itinerary". Nps.gov. Retrieved 2018-09-16.
  8. ^ "New Orleans before the battle The Battle of New Orleans December 1814 – January 8, 1815". battleofneworleans.org. Retrieved 2016-09-04.
  9. ^ Administration, Works Progress (2011-08-15). New Orleans City Guide. Garrett County Press. ISBN 9781891053405.
  10. ^ "The Dutch & the English, Part 2: A Wall by Any Other Name". NYC Department of Records & Information Services. February 23, 2017. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
  11. ^ Institute of Taiwanese History, Academica Sinica. "清代臺灣城郭". 台灣歷史文化地圖.
  12. ^ Seka Brkljača (1996). Urbano biće Bosne i Hercegovine (in Serbo-Croatian). Sarajevo: Međunarodni centar za mir, Institut za istoriju. p. 27. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  13. ^ "The natural and architectural ensemble of Stolac". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  14. ^ Muralla urbana de Cedeira
  15. ^ "Manzaneda | Asociación española de amigos de los Castillos, Castillos de España, Castillos medievales". www.castillosdeespaña.es.
  16. ^ Muralla de Tui – Asociación Española de Amigos de los Castillos.
  17. ^ Muralla urbana de Viveiro.
  18. ^ "Fragment of Town Walls (listed section), rear of 93 Cartway (E and N side), SMRNO00374". Discovering Shrophshire's History. Retrieved 22 October 2011.
  19. ^ "The Town Wall Tavern". realalerambles.co.uk. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
  20. ^ "Leceister Walls and Gates". University of Leceister. Retrieved 22 May 2019.
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