In Europe, travelers will have to go to the north of England in York. Founded by the Romans, the city was quickly stormed by the Angles and Vikings before being incorporated into the Kingdom of England in 954. It is notably its walls that have defended it on many occasions. Nowadays, the remaining ramparts continue ►
In Europe, travelers will have to go to the north of England in York. Founded by the Romans, the city was quickly stormed by the Angles and Vikings before being incorporated into the Kingdom of England in 954. It is notably its walls that have defended it on many occasions. Nowadays, the remaining ramparts continue to solicit intrigue. Not far away, tourists can make a detour to Carcassonne in France, which turns out to be one of the best-preserved fortified places in the world. Moreover, it is the largest medieval town in Europe. In this place, travelers should expect to find two exterior walls, towers and barbicans. They should know that one of the towers was used for the Catholic Inquisition in the 13th century. On the Croatian side, a stop in Dubrovnik is necessary. This place originates in maritime trade, and in the Middle Ages, it rivaled Venice in its development. The ramparts were constructed from the 12th to the 17th century, and they are perfectly preserved. In Italy, there is San Gimignano, a small municipality in the province of Siena, Tuscany. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a double wall enclosure and several towers. A sea of olive trees also surrounds it. In Spain, Avila is beautifully surrounded by a medieval Roman-style wall. This city is more than 1,100 meters above sea level in a rocky enclave; therefore, tourists must be patient to get there. Moreover, in Spain, travelers will also be able to discover Toledo, whose history dates back to Roman times. They will see the Tagus and the two medieval walls. Further on, the capital of Estonia, namely, Tallinn, has preserved not only its walls dating from the thirteenth century but also its many relics of medieval times as well as its buildings with pastel facades in baroque style. Obidos in Portugal is synonymous with time travel. The Moors are at the origin of the first fortifications of the city. After being rebuilt several times, nowadays, travelers can walk on it to admire the magnificent view. The next point of discovery in eastern Ethiopia is Harar. For several centuries, Harar was an important center linking the trade routes of Africa and Arabia. This zone has 82 mosques and 102 shrines, all surrounded by a wall with five gates. This wall is now called Jugol, a real symbol of this place. A little further away in Morocco, Taroudant is a Berber city in the heart of the Souss Valley. The walls that encircle the town were built in the 16th century under the Saadians, and today, this place allows the inhabitants to trade. The next visit will be to the Asian continent in Pingyao. This Chinese town is mainly known for its ultra-well-preserved fortified wall. It includes six massive gates and 72 watchtowers. Further on, there is Xi'an which is one of the oldest cities in China. This place has been the capital of 13 dynasties, and more than 70 emperors have reigned here. To get there, tourists must stop at the end of the Silk Road, one of the widest ramparts in the world. In Central Asia, Itchan Kala is an old town in Uzbekistan that has preserved its historical monuments and old houses. Here, the point of interest is the sun-dried brick walls and the four gates on either side of the rectangular fortress. Then, located in the Middle East on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean, Jerusalem is a place home to Judaism, Islam and Christianity. This fortified city reveals a lot of history and charm. The city of Jaisalmer in India is an incredible one to discover. It extends over 5 km, and the ramparts and 99-ochre bastions make this place more beautiful than it is. ◄
