The last walled city to be built in Europe

Derry is the last walled city to be built in Europe. The walls were built between 1613 & 1618 during the reign of James I in order to protect Scottish and English plantation settlers. This became Ireland’s first planned city and is still the only completely walled town in the country. James granted a Royal Charter to the city which controversially changed its name from Derry to Londonderry. The walls are approximately one mile in circumference and the 4 original gates were Ferryquay Gate, Bishop’s Gate, Butcher Gate, and Shipquay Gate. The grid pattern with a central diamond was much copied in the colonies of British North America during this period. In 1688 when the Catholic King James ll was deposed by the Protestant King William of Orange most of Ireland stayed loyal to him. When his army attempted to enter the city 13 Apprentice Boys shut the gates and the famous siege of Derry began. It lasted 105 days until a wooden boom that had been erected across the River Foyle was broken by ships fighting for King Billy. This enabled food and supplies into the city however by this time thousands of people had already died of starvation. Derry is also known as ‘The Maiden City’ as its fortifications were never breached! The walls are now the largest monument in state care in Northern Ireland.