Walls can’t talk but they can tell a story – as shown in these stunning photos.
MailOnline Travel has selected pictures of some of the world’s most breathtaking walled cities and towns to inspire you to book your next historic holiday.
These spectacular walled communities offer a window into the past, some dating back to the Middle Ages.
And there’s wall-to-wall beauty to be found in all of them.
Scroll down to admire some of the world’s most spectacular walled settlements
And discover some of the world’s best preserved fortified destinations, from a ‘fairytale’ town with ‘towered walls’ to a mountain city with ‘starburst-shaped ramparts’….
CARCASSONNE, FRANCE: This picturesque medieval walled city boasts 52 towers with circular walls measuring 3km/1.86km, and is still inhabited today. Carcassonne Tourism explains: ‘Nestled at the top of a hill, the Medieval City dominates the whole city and is said to be one of the best preserved medieval ensembles in the world’
JAISALMER, INDIA: Jaisalmer’s 12th-century fort ‘has stood the test of time’ says Lonely Planet, with ‘families and businesses that still thrive within its thick walls’. Built out of yellow sandstone, the structure is known as the ‘golden fort’ and a quarter of Jaisalmer’s residents live within its walls
BONIFACIO, CORSICA: A coastal fortress town in Corsica, Lonely Planet describes Bonifacio as an ‘essential stop for all visitors’ to the island. It adds: ‘Protected by vast smooth walls, the town itself stretches along a narrow, top-heavy promontory, undercut by creamy-white limestone cliffs hollowed out by centuries of ceaseless waves’
BRIANCON, FRANCE: The highest city in France, sitting at an altitude of 1,326m/4,350ft, Briancon is known for its striking historic walls surrounding the old town. The walls were built under the direction of military planner Sébastien Le Prestre, Marquis de Vauban, and are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Lonely Planet says: ‘Surrounded by mighty starburst-shaped ramparts, Briançon’s hilltop old town looks much as it did centuries ago, its winding cobbled lanes lined with Italianate, pastel-painted townhouses’
AIT-BENHADDOU, MOROCCO: Ait-Benhaddou is a fortified village, known as a ksar, in Morocco, and is a ‘striking example’ of ksar architecture, says UNESCO. The organisation adds: ‘The ksar, a group of earthen buildings surrounded by high walls, is a traditional pre-Saharan habitat. The houses crowd together within the defensive walls, which are reinforced by corner towers’
ROTHENBURG, GERMANY: The German town of Rothenburg is surrounded by a 4km/2.48-mile-wide wall, and has 46 historical towers, some of which can be seen in this image. Lonely Planet reveals: ‘With its web of cobbled lanes, higgledy-piggledy houses and towered walls, the town is the archetypal fairytale Germany’
PINGYAO, CHINA: Pingyao’s impressive walls date back to 1370 and stand at 10m/32ft high, stretching for more than 6km/3.7 miles in circumference. Lonely Planet explains that the city’s walls have 72 watchtowers, each containing a paragraph from Sun Tzu’s ‘The Art of War’ – an ancient Chinese military treatise
DUBROVNIK, CROATIA: Coastal city Dubrovnik’s historic centre is encircled by walls that stretch for 1,940m/6,360ft. The first set of city walls was built in the 9th century with additions made in later years. Rewind Dubrovnik explains: ‘Today, they’re one of Croatia’s most popular attractions, due to the breathtaking views of the city they offer’
MDINA, MALTA: The former capital of Malta, Mdina’s history dates back 4,000 years. Visit Malta explains: ‘Behind its fortified walls, Mdina’s timeless beauty has been mesmerising nobilities throughout its 4,000 years of existence. With narrow, cobbled streets shrouded in an air of mystery, Mdina will snatch you away from the present and transport you back in time’
CARTAGENA, COLOMBIA: A port city on Colombia’s Caribbean coast, Cartagena’s old town is surrounded by thick walls, known as Las Murallas. Construction began in the 16th century and took two centuries to complete. Lonely Planet reveals: ‘It’s possible to walk along large stretches of these magnificent structures, with wonderful sea views and a cooling breeze from the northern and western sides’
BUDVA, MONTENEGRO: Budva’s historic old town is encircled by walls first built in the 9th century. MedGulets.com explains: ‘The fortified town is now an open-air living museum, and residents still live in the medieval stone-hewn buildings’
AVILA, SPAIN: Avila’s walls date back to the Middle Ages, stretching 2,516m/8.254ft around the Spanish city, and including 87 turrets, nine gates and two smaller gates. Avila Tourism explains: ‘The walls of Ávila are the best-conserved example of their kind in the world’
CHESTER, UK: Chester’s city walls are the ‘oldest, longest and most complete in Britain’, explains Visit Chester & Cheshire. Construction was started by the Romans and the walls were extended in the 10th century. The tourism board reveals: ‘Walking the complete circuit gives wondrous views down into the city and gives a fantastic insight into Chester’s long history’
OBIDOS, PORTUGAL: Obidos boasts an intact wall from the Moorish era surrounding the town’s historic centre, stretching for 1,560m/5,118ft. Tourists can walk along the full stretch of the wall. Lonely Planet says: ‘Surrounded by a classic crenellated wall, Óbidos’ gorgeous historic centre is a labyrinth of cobblestoned streets and flower-bedecked, whitewashed houses livened up with dashes of vivid yellow and blue paint’