I was under the impression that we could repair the major towns much like we can already repair forts.

Here is a picture of Chorrol in ESO (note the chapel is NOT in ruins) - http://img4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20130909214308/elderscrolls/images/a/af/Chorrol_-_Online.jpg

Here is a video from ESO (note the chapel IS in ruins, along with a lot of the town) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGFVFhdhB0Y

I went there myself and it is in ruins. So is the picture saying we can repair the place or was it from an old build when the town wasn't in ruins?

I've already been let down by not being able to enter Bravil as an Ebonheart pact member, and many Ayleid ruins in Cyrodiil. Bravil is even on the map and I walked (most of) the perimeter just to see buildings within the walls but I couldn't get in.

I really would like to see the towns restorable. If they can do it for forts they can surely do it for the iconic cities from Oblivion.

The image I can presume was of a early build and the fact Cyrodil has been in a war and now just got two more (Molag Bal and the Alliance War) so there probably wasn't much time to repair buildings) and add the fact the Regent reinstated Daedric Worship that the last Longhouse Emperor installed before the rebellion.

How'd they manage to repair the forts then if there wasn't enough time .

Military priority in a war zone.

The armed forces in a faction would want their holdings to be secure, so the keeps need to be whole.

The towns? they don't really have any militarily significance, none are walled from what I have seen, and they don't exactly seem to be in prime tactical positions.

The same thing happened all over Europe during the middle ages.

Military strong points were given priority for repairs and construction in war zones. The wall of a castle could be quickly repaired with the man power of an army.

At the same time non tactical locations were left, they had no importance to winning the war in the area.

Ah, when do we get to go to Cyrodiil, anyway?

What level? What do we have to do?

Get to level 10, join a campaign, travel to Cyrodiil from a wayshrine, enjoy the awesomeness.

You need to get to level 10, and then just go to campaign's menu in trough your inventory.

You can queue up for Cyrodil in there.

You could also press L and select a campaign and when you can join it you will get a notification. From there you open your notifications with N I think, and you can directly accept joining cyrodiil and load right in without visiting a wayshrine. But you do need to visit one if you wish to leave cyrodiil.