Over the centuries, people have defended their cities by building huge walls around them. In that way they marking its territory and at the same time felt protected from potential attackers or enemies. Over time, cities often expanded through walls, but some have remained closed to them. Through the pictures you can see to which cities we are talking and what has happened to them.

1. Carcassonne, Languedoc-Roussillon, France

This city was founded by the Visigoths in the 5th  century. Than was increased in 11 and again in 13 century, but in 1849 was almost destroyed. Four years later, it began to restore it and that process lasted for 60 years.

10 Cities Surrounded by Walls

Image by Etienne Valois via Flickr

10 Cities Surrounded by Walls

Image by Loïc Lagarde via Flickr

2. Fredrikstad, Norway

The wall which is surrounding the city was made entirely in the 1660’s.This city was temporarily protected by a wall during the war between Sweden and Denmark-Norway.

10 Cities Surrounded by Walls

Image by Vladimir Tkalčić via Flickr

3. Lucca, Tuscany, Italy

Lucca – a city and commune in Tuscany, Italy, has untouched walls from the Renaissance.

10 Cities Surrounded by Walls

Image by orland76 via Flickr

4. Noerdlingen, Bavaria, Germany

It is a town in the Donau-Ries district, in Bavaria, Germany which has a completely established city wall till today. This city is one of the three in Germany, famous by the walls that mark their boundaries.

10 Cities Surrounded by Walls

Image by Cheryl Hammond via Flickr

10 Cities Surrounded by Walls

Image by Roger via Flickr

10 Cities Surrounded by Walls

Image by Philip Eagle via Flickr

5. Taroundant, Marocco

Entire city of Taroudant is located inside its walls. Saadi dynasty used this city as the capital and built a wall around it in 1528.

10 Cities Surrounded by Walls

Image by Carsten Drossel via Flickr

10 Cities Surrounded by Walls

Image by UncleBucko via Flickr

6. Dubrovnik, Croatia

One of the most beautiful cities in the world is surrounded by high thick walls. The city was founded in the 7th century, has walls nearly 2 miles long and its thickness is about 4 meters.

10 Cities Surrounded by Walls

Image by Dennis Jarvis via Flickr

10 Cities Surrounded by Walls

Image by Dennis Jarvis via Flickr

7. York, England

The walls around the city of York dating since the Roman times.

10 Cities Surrounded by Walls

Image by Matt Buck via Flickr

8. Pingyao, China

The city walls of this town were made in the 3rd year of the Hondwu Emperor. Also, it is named as one of the most protected cities in the world.

10 Cities Surrounded by Walls

Image by Sheep”R”Us via Flickr

10 Cities Surrounded by Walls

Image by Eden Li via Flickr

10 Cities Surrounded by Walls

Image by Jonas Merian via Flickr

9. Shibam, Yemen

Shibam is a town located in Yemen. It is the oldest city based on vertical construction. That architectural style it is built to protect residents from Bedouin attacks.

10 Cities Surrounded by Walls

Image by maartenF via Flickr

10 Cities Surrounded by Walls

Image by maartenF via Flickr

10. Toledo, Spain

The old city of Toledo in Spain from three sides is surrounded by the River Tagus. But, his fourth side has a wall.

10 Cities Surrounded by Walls

Image by Veyis Polat via Flickr

 

10 Cities Surrounded by Walls

Image by t.bo79 via Flickr