In The News - Cities Behind Walls

Massive stone walls were once the last line of defense for ancient cities – impervious structures built to protect their inhabitants from enemies outside. Over the years, many of these walled cities have crumbled. But those that remain continue to protect a way of life for those living within, providing residents with a daily appreciation for history and influencing various aspects of life, from safety to traffic to tourists and more.

Dubrovnik, Croatia

Already beloved for its attractive seaside location and easy airport access, the Mediterranean city of Dubrovnik has become even more famous in recent years as the fictional setting of King’s Landing in the popular television show Game of Thrones. The medieval walls that run nearly a mile around the Old City date back to the 16th Century, and its pedestrian-only roads help maintain the historically preserved atmosphere.

The Hollywood-inspired tourist influx has brought changes to the Old City, many residents have moved out and now rent their apartments to visitors. Still, the locals that remain are dedicated to preserving the unique way of life that the city walls foster.

Jerusalem

Though the walls surrounding today’s Old City were built in the 1,500s, stone has surrounded this history-seeped settlement since Biblical times. The sense that it's ancient – even outside the walls  – is felt in the old stones of the buildings, the street names and the native residents who are six-, seven-, eight-generations [native to] Jerusalem.

Throughout Jerusalem – both within the Old City and outside its walls – neighborhoods are often dictated by nationality or religion – though some areas are more mixed than others. English and French speakers often flock toward the trendy German Colony, tranquil Katamon or upscale Rechavia, all just a few miles west of the Old City. Nachloat, located 2 miles northwest of the Old City, is particularly popular among students for its historic character and bustling Mahane Yehuda Shuk, the popular street market.

Ávila, Spain
The Walls of Ávila were constructed in the 12th Century to protect its residents from the conflicts between the warring Castile and Leon kingdoms. Nearly 1,000 years later, they continue to completely encircle the perfectly preserved town, which is scattered with Romanesque and Gothic churches. Residents feel that there is a magical effect, as if you were living in a tale, set in the Middle Ages. The laid-back city is friendly, with a tranquil and relaxing vibe. Residents tend to be older – and while there are plenty of cultural and literary activities that celebrate the compact town’s history, activity dies down at night. 

Visitors who are looking for a (slightly) faster pace should look south of the city walls. There are more facilities than in the center and the area has an exciting energy. 

Cartagena, Columbia
Halfway around the world and hundreds of years later, Spain built another set of walls. The Caribbean port city of Cartagena proved to be an important Spanish outpost. Both the English and French made attacks on the city and Spain spent millions of Spanish reales providing for its protection in the pirate-plagued 18th Century, funding the walls and fortresses that still stand today.

Residents say that living in the Old City feels like living in a real-life movie set. There are mansions, along with animated plazas filled with independent cafes and restaurants. These provide a lively backdrop to those that live and visit here.  

Carcassonne, France
Wandering within the walls of “La Cité” – the walled medieval citadel within the city of Carcassonne – one can’t help but become a history buff.

It makes you think about what life would have been like for those living here many hundreds of years ago, and the skills of the artisans who worked to build the chateau, houses and walls of La Cité, which have withstood the test of time. 



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