The Great Wall of China is world-renowned as a technological marvel that was centuries before its time. While this wonder of the world should be high on the list of walls to see, it’s by no means the only impressive sight waiting to be explored and appreciated.
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C. is a simple structure filled with a powerful statement. The names of 58,256 soldiers who either died in Viet man or are among the Missing in Action from that war are inscribed on the rock walls. Another tribute to war, the Berlin Wall continues to stand as a reminder of war and oppression. Much of the wall has been torn down, but somber remnants remain in front of the former Prussian Parliament and at the current Berlin Parliament.
The Walls of Troy once helped a great culture protect itself from invasion. Located in modern-day northwestern Turkey, it is now a major site for tourists. Indigenous Bantu people built the Great Zimbabwe between the 11th and 14th centuries. Extending for more than 250 meters, the stone ruins are spread throughout modern Zimbabwe.
Stretching 117 km across northern England, Hadrian’s Wall stretches between the North Sea and the Irish Sea. Constructed between 122 and 128 AD, a national path now follows the length of the wall from Bowness-on-Solway to Wallsend.
Most walls are built in clean, crisp lines. They mark boundaries or follow the landscape. The Sacsayhuaman in Peru is a zigzagging stone wall that is believed to resemble the teeth of a Puma. Once considered one of the Wonders of the World, the Walls of Babylon are found in modern Iraq. Dating back to 575 BC, the walls helped protect the city of Mesopotamia.
Jerusalem is home to the Wailing Wall, or the Western Wall. Considered to be the only remnant of the Holy Temple, Jews from around the globe pilgrimage to visit the site. In Rome, Italy, the Aurelian Walls are a series of city walls that date back to the year 275. Built during the reign of Emperors Aurelian and Probus, the walls encircled the Seven Hills of Rome.
Defensive stone walls in Turkey are known as the Walls of Constantinople and are worth viewing. The Great Wall of Gorgon in Iran, also known as the Red Snake, is the second longest wall in the world. One of the oldest walls to visit is the Wall of Jericho, which dates back to about 8000 BC.
A series of walls known as the Basel City Walls once surrounded the city of Basel, Switzerland. Cleared away in 1859, three of the connecting gates and a short section of wall were salvaged and are on display. Croatia is home to the Walls of Ston, which protected the city-state of Dubrovnik.
Modern walls are also marvels to behold. The Atlantic Wall in France was built to keep out the Germans while the Democracy Wall in Beijing became a focal point for political dissent. Located in the Western Sahara, the Moroccan Wall stands as a modern defensive wall.
Visitors to Spain may be interested in the Arabic Walls of Niebla, while visitors to Northern Ireland may want to take time to visit the Derry walls. Famous walls worth visiting in England include the Chester City Walls and the London Wall while Scotland is home to the King’s Wall.