1. Dubrovnik, Croatia
Towering above the dazzlingly blue waters of the Adriatic, the sturdy medieval walls of Dubrovnik are a truly astounding sight. These magnificent walls were built in the 13th century, with some reinforcements added in the 15th century, to protect it from the Ottoman Turks.
Now world-famous for its starring role as King’s Landing in HBO’s Game of Thrones, the near-perfectly preserved walled town ranks as one of Europe’s most beautiful cities. It’s possible to do a circuit of the arresting battlements, which offer amazing views of the old town’s terracotta rooftops, passageways, Baroque churches and out to sea. It was a close-run thing but, for us, this place had to rank number one.
2. Carcassonne, France
This handsome hilltop city on the banks of the River Aude in France’s Languedoc region is the largest walled medieval city in Europe. Built on Roman remains, the Cite de Carcassonne (old town) is encircled by two outer walls that loom over the narrow alleyways and hidden corners within.
Pingyao in Shanxi province is one of China’s most remarkable ancient cities and now a UNESCO World Heritage site. The wealthy trading center and once powerful financial center (as the home to China's first banks), is famed for its commanding and intact walls, old courtyard houses and temples.
4. Taroudant, Morocco
With its majestic ramparts and towers that have stood for more than five centuries, Taroudant – short-lived capital of the Saadian dynasty – is one of North Africa's most beautiful spots. Sometimes known as 'Little Marrakech', due to its distinctive blend of Berber and Islamic influences, the small city's stunning red-mud walls hide a labyrinth of historic streets, squares and souks that sizzle with shopping opportunities.
5. York, England, UK
Heaving with historic nooks and crannies, York has the longest medieval town walls in England at 2.1 miles long. They mainly date from the 13th century but were built on far older defences. The Romans first built walls here, which the Vikings later covered in earth and topped with a palisade (fence of pointed wooden stakes).
6. Mdina, Malta
Another fine example of a walled city lies in Malta, in the country's Western Region. Former capital Mdina sits perched on a plateau and is hidden behind thick fortifications.
7. Obidos, Portugal
Hugged by castellated medieval walls, hilltop Obidos is one of Portugal’s prettiest towns. Given as a wedding present by King Dinis to Isabel of Aragon in 1282, the citadel is filled with little churches, white-washed homes (adorned with flower-filled window boxes) and a maze of narrow cobbled alleys.
8. Xi’an, China
Built in 1370, the mighty 39-foot-high Ming Dynasty walls of Xi'an – capital of several ruling dynasties and powerful trade center – still exude defensive might. Running for 8.5 miles, the walls feature 98 flanking towers (where soldiers stood watch for enemies scaling the walls) and a watchtower at each of its four corners.
9. Rothenburg-ob-der-Tauber, Germany
Walking the walls that wrap around Rothenburg-ob-der-Tauber is a top attraction of this picture-perfect town in Bavaria, with its half-timbered houses and grand medieval town hall. Situated on the scenic ‘Romantic Road’, the town developed around its fortress and became a powerful city – it had the coveted status of being an autonomous imperial city, or Reichsstadt, from 1274 until 1803.
10. Tallinn, Estonia
The tiny old town of Tallinn, protected for centuries by its practical yet pretty fortifications with fairytale towers, remains almost perfectly preserved. Inside the walls (much of which are still standing) lies a labyrinthine network of narrow cobbled passages, squares and timbered merchant houses dating back to the 13th century.
2. Carcassonne, France
This handsome hilltop city on the banks of the River Aude in France’s Languedoc region is the largest walled medieval city in Europe. Built on Roman remains, the Cite de Carcassonne (old town) is encircled by two outer walls that loom over the narrow alleyways and hidden corners within.
With 52 towers and barbicans, the walls were highly innovative at the time and designed to prevent attack by siege engines. They were restored in the 19th century by architect Eugene Viollet-le-Duc so look remarkably pristine. A circuit walk now loops around the battlements.
3. Pingyao, China
3. Pingyao, China
Pingyao in Shanxi province is one of China’s most remarkable ancient cities and now a UNESCO World Heritage site. The wealthy trading center and once powerful financial center (as the home to China's first banks), is famed for its commanding and intact walls, old courtyard houses and temples.
The walls were first built during the reign of King Xuan (827–782 BC) of the Western Zhou Dynasty and later rebuilt in the 14th century. There are 72 observation towers and more than 300 battlements, although only one of the four original corner grand watchtowers, the Great Scholar Tower, remains.
4. Taroudant, Morocco
With its majestic ramparts and towers that have stood for more than five centuries, Taroudant – short-lived capital of the Saadian dynasty – is one of North Africa's most beautiful spots. Sometimes known as 'Little Marrakech', due to its distinctive blend of Berber and Islamic influences, the small city's stunning red-mud walls hide a labyrinth of historic streets, squares and souks that sizzle with shopping opportunities.
If you're after an authentic Moroccan trading town experience in the fertile Souss Valley, without the hassle of dodging tourists, this lesser-known gem is a wonderful place to spend some time. The views of the Atlas Mountains aren't bad either.
5. York, England, UK
Heaving with historic nooks and crannies, York has the longest medieval town walls in England at 2.1 miles long. They mainly date from the 13th century but were built on far older defences. The Romans first built walls here, which the Vikings later covered in earth and topped with a palisade (fence of pointed wooden stakes).
It's possible to walk all around the walls, passing fascinating details such as arrow slits, musket loops, sculptures and masons' marks. Four main ‘bars’ (or fortified gateways) allowed entry into the old city, as well as two lesser bars and a postern (a small gateway defended by a tower).
6. Mdina, Malta
Another fine example of a walled city lies in Malta, in the country's Western Region. Former capital Mdina sits perched on a plateau and is hidden behind thick fortifications.
Known as the Silent City, it was founded by the Phoenicians and there's evidence that walls circled the settlement as far back as 1000 BC. Today it's a place of great beauty and culture with a mix of medieval and baroque architecture, tangle of narrow alleys and grand palaces that remain home to wealthy Maltese families.
7. Obidos, Portugal
Hugged by castellated medieval walls, hilltop Obidos is one of Portugal’s prettiest towns. Given as a wedding present by King Dinis to Isabel of Aragon in 1282, the citadel is filled with little churches, white-washed homes (adorned with flower-filled window boxes) and a maze of narrow cobbled alleys.
Dating from the 14th century, much of the original walls remain and can be walked along via a narrow walkway. The town is dominated by the 12th-century castle, which is the setting for a delightful pousada (inn).
8. Xi’an, China
Built in 1370, the mighty 39-foot-high Ming Dynasty walls of Xi'an – capital of several ruling dynasties and powerful trade center – still exude defensive might. Running for 8.5 miles, the walls feature 98 flanking towers (where soldiers stood watch for enemies scaling the walls) and a watchtower at each of its four corners.
There was once a moat and drawbridge which made the old city completely impenetrable. Today walking or cycling along the wide path on top of the walls is one of Xi'an's most popular things to do.
9. Rothenburg-ob-der-Tauber, Germany
Walking the walls that wrap around Rothenburg-ob-der-Tauber is a top attraction of this picture-perfect town in Bavaria, with its half-timbered houses and grand medieval town hall. Situated on the scenic ‘Romantic Road’, the town developed around its fortress and became a powerful city – it had the coveted status of being an autonomous imperial city, or Reichsstadt, from 1274 until 1803.
The town’s intact walls, with their many towers and fortified gates, are among the finest in Germany.
10. Tallinn, Estonia
The tiny old town of Tallinn, protected for centuries by its practical yet pretty fortifications with fairytale towers, remains almost perfectly preserved. Inside the walls (much of which are still standing) lies a labyrinthine network of narrow cobbled passages, squares and timbered merchant houses dating back to the 13th century.
Set on the Baltic coast, Estonia’s capital was a thriving Hanseatic trading center during the Middle Ages.
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