The old city of Famagusta is encircled by the historical walls, which are massive and on average are 60 feet high and 30 feet thick and date back to mediaeval times. The walls stand intact to this day, well preserved. 

The city walls built by the Lusignans were very high but thin. After the Venetians captured the island from the Lusignans, they brought over specialists from Venice to fortify the walls against artillery fire particularly to protect themselves from the Ottomans. 

Two of the original gates of the Famagusta Castle, (the walls) still stand: Porta del Mare (The Sea Gate), and Ravalin / Akkule Bastion (The Land Gate). Two more gates have been opened during the British period, which are the Djanboulat Gate, and the New Gate. 

The wall on the sea front, the Mantinengo bastion and the Ravelin (Land Gate) were modified during the period. A ditch 46 metres wide was dug on the outer flanks of the wall and was filled with water. The wall built of ashlar is 3 kilometres in length and reaches 9 metres in width at some points. 

The city walls have bastions, gates, ramps, embrasures, arms depots, depots and stables.