Arechi Castle is a castle in southern Italy located on top of a mountain, at the foot of which lies the city of Salerno.
The construction of the castle began in the 6th century under the Byzantine rule (the construction of the oldest part of the ramparts made of sandstone blocks is characteristic of this period).
Salerno was part of the Duchy of Benevento, which was the southernmost part of the Kingdom of the Lombards. When Charlemagne attacked the Lombards in the year 774, the Duchy of Benevento was ruled by Arechi II. He moved the main centre of power from Benevento to Salerno in order to strengthen his control over strategic areas such as the coastline and to secure communications within the province of Campania. During this period the castle was heavily fortified and its ramparts took the shape that have survived to our times.
Over the centuries, the castle had many owners. Archaeological work has identified, among other things, traces of the Norman presence. A watchtower was built north of the castle, allowing to conduct observations of the Gulf of Salerno.
Currently, the castle has been bought from the commune by a private company that arranged a restaurant inside. The defensive walls, however, are open to visitors free of charge, there is also a museum in the castle (large collections of coins and medieval ceramics were found during the renovation). At night, perfectly lit, it is visible from almost anywhere in Salerno.
The Walls of Constantinople are a series of defensive stone walls that have surrounded and protected the city of Constantinople (today Istanbul) since its founding as the new capital of the Roman Empire by Constantine the Great. With numerous additions and modifications during their history, they were the last great fortification system of antiquity, and one of the most complex and elaborate systems ever built. They were also the largest and strongest fortification in both the ancient and medieval world.
Initially built by Constantine the Great, the walls surrounded the new city on all sides, protecting it against attack from both sea and land. As the city grew, the famous double line of the Theodosian Walls was built in the 5th century. Although the other sections of the walls were less elaborate, they were, when well-manned, almost impregnable for any medieval besieger.