See the ancient walls of Rome that still stand today
The most complete Roman walls in the world
Rome was the heart of a powerful empire and is now home to many of Rome's finest ruins, from the mighty Colosseum to more bizarre monuments like Monte della Verità. Another major attraction of Rome are the ancient Aurelian Walls, built to defend the Eternal City.
The most complete Roman walls in the world are not currently in Italy but in the almost intact walls of Lugo, Spain. Probably the most famous Roman wall still standing today is the ancient Theodosian Walls of Constantinople, which visitors can still see in Istanbul. The History of the House Walls: How the Aurelian Walls Indicated the Changing Destinies of Rome The Aurelian Walls were built between AD 271 and 275, not surprisingly during the reign of the Roman Emperor Aurelian.It surrounded the seven hills of Rome and protected an area of about 3,500 hectares out of the city's approximately 6,000-acre urban area. The construction of the Aurelian Walls marked the changing times of the Empire. On the one hand, larger walls were needed because the city had clearly outgrown the old Serbian walls. On the other hand, the walls signaled that times had changed. The Romans have long boasted that their capital was so safe that it didn't need walls during the Pax Romana.With the crisis of the third century, the empire threatened to collapse and its frontiers were breached by the Germanic tribes, whom the Roman army found difficult to hold back. In AD 270, northern Italy was sacked by invading barbarians after defeating the Roman army (although they were soon driven out). It became clear that the Eternal City was no longer as secure as previously thought. The Wall was built by the citizens of Rome because the Empire, beset by threats, could not persuade any of its legionnaires to build it. Only about 135 years later, in 410 AD, were the walls breached by the Visigoths when the Western Roman Empire fell. Although the walls did not stop the fall of Rome, they did provide some protection for the city long after the fall of the Western Roman Empire. They successfully defended Rome against an Arab invasion in 846. They were completely obsolete by 1870.
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The Aurelian Wall stretched 12 miles or 19 kilometers. They were made of exposed concrete and were 26 feet high and 11 feet thick.There was a tower (97 modern feet) along the walls for every 100 Roman feet. As the Empire's security deteriorated, its height doubled to 52 feet by the 4th century, and more towers were added over time. In AD 500 the walls had 383 towers.
The most complete Roman walls in the world are not currently in Italy but in the almost intact walls of Lugo, Spain. Probably the most famous Roman wall still standing today is the ancient Theodosian Walls of Constantinople, which visitors can still see in Istanbul. The History of the House Walls: How the Aurelian Walls Indicated the Changing Destinies of Rome The Aurelian Walls were built between AD 271 and 275, not surprisingly during the reign of the Roman Emperor Aurelian.It surrounded the seven hills of Rome and protected an area of about 3,500 hectares out of the city's approximately 6,000-acre urban area. The construction of the Aurelian Walls marked the changing times of the Empire. On the one hand, larger walls were needed because the city had clearly outgrown the old Serbian walls. On the other hand, the walls signaled that times had changed. The Romans have long boasted that their capital was so safe that it didn't need walls during the Pax Romana.With the crisis of the third century, the empire threatened to collapse and its frontiers were breached by the Germanic tribes, whom the Roman army found difficult to hold back. In AD 270, northern Italy was sacked by invading barbarians after defeating the Roman army (although they were soon driven out). It became clear that the Eternal City was no longer as secure as previously thought. The Wall was built by the citizens of Rome because the Empire, beset by threats, could not persuade any of its legionnaires to build it. Only about 135 years later, in 410 AD, were the walls breached by the Visigoths when the Western Roman Empire fell. Although the walls did not stop the fall of Rome, they did provide some protection for the city long after the fall of the Western Roman Empire. They successfully defended Rome against an Arab invasion in 846. They were completely obsolete by 1870.
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The Aurelian Wall stretched 12 miles or 19 kilometers. They were made of exposed concrete and were 26 feet high and 11 feet thick.There was a tower (97 modern feet) along the walls for every 100 Roman feet. As the Empire's security deteriorated, its height doubled to 52 feet by the 4th century, and more towers were added over time. In AD 500 the walls had 383 towers.
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