Canterbury city walls, Medieval defensive walls in Canterbury, England
Canterbury's city walls are stone fortifications that encircle the town center and survive in substantial portions today. You can walk sections of them and see views over the city and surrounding landscape.
Roman troops built the first fortifications in the late third century, but the walls you see today were constructed in the 14th century when the city faced threats from French raids. This rebuilding reflected new military needs of that era.
The Westgate remains as the sole surviving gate of the original eight entrances, equipped with specialized gunports for medieval artillery defense systems.
You can walk along several stretches of the walls, particularly around the western side and near the town center. It is a good spot for strolling if you want to see the city from above.
In some places you can see Roman stones built into the medieval walls, showing how the city reused the old foundations. These layered sections tell the story of different periods side by side.
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