Discover Europe's oldest cities: experience history up close!

Discover Europe's oldest cities: experience history up close!

Europe is known not only for its picturesque landscapes and historical sites, but also for some of the oldest cities in the world. These cities offer a unique insight into the history and cultural development of the continent. However, historians and archaeologists are faced with the challenge of naming exact dates for the founding of these settlements, as new archaeological finds are continually being made. Prominent examples include Plovdiv in Bulgaria, Argos in Greece and Genoa in Italy.

Plovdiv, one of the oldest cities in Europe, was founded around 6000 BC. Founded in the 1st century BC and shows traces of a long history in which various peoples such as the Thracians, Romans and Ottomans ruled. Today Plovdiv is the second largest city in Bulgaria with around 350,000 inhabitants. The Nebet Tepe archaeological park, the Roman stadium and the ancient theater are just some of the sights that attract visitors. Additionally, Plovdiv was elected European Capital of Culture in 2019 and celebrates the diversity of its history.

Insight into the oldest cities

Argos, Greece, is considered one of the oldest continuously populated cities in Europe. With an estimated history of around 7,000 years, it is an important testimony to ancient civilizations. The first settlements date back to 5000 BC. BC. Sights such as the theater carved into the rock and the archaeological museum bear witness to this long history. The city today has around 27,000 inhabitants.

Genoa in Italy, the country's sixth largest city, can trace traces of human life in the fourth millennium BC. Look back. The ancient Ligurians were the first inhabitants of this region, followed by numerous conquerors such as Carthaginians and Romans. Genoa is now an important port and a popular starting point for cruises. The old town, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its Renaissance and Baroque buildings, regularly attracts tourists.

The capital of Greece, Athens, has its origins in 3000 BC. The first settlement was on the famous rock of the Acropolis, from where the city grew through trade and shipping. Nowadays, Athens is home to around 665,000 people and is known for its impressive sights such as the Acropolis, the Parthenon and the Propylaea.

• Chania, Griechenland: Besiedlung seit ca. 1700 v. Chr.; bekannt für seinen venezianischen Hafen.
• Larnaka, Zypern: Historisches Stadtkönigreich Kition mit Überresten bis ins 13. Jahrhundert v. Chr.
• Lissabon, Portugal: Vermutlich ab 1000 v. Chr. gegründet, wichtiges Handelszentrum in der Antike.
• Cádiz, Spanien: Grundsteinlegung um 1100 v. Chr., strategisch bedeutend für die Seefahrt.

In addition to these cities, there are other ancient cities around the world such as Matera in Italy, which has traces from the Paleolithic era, or Varanasi in India, which is considered one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities. These cities, not only in Europe but around the world, offer captivating insights into the origins and developments of human civilizations and are a valuable heritage for future generations.

The interaction of different cultures, civilizations and historical events is reflected in the urban structures and monuments that still exist today and keep the past alive. The diversity and longevity of these cities remind us how closely history and contemporary life are intertwined. For those interested in the roots of humanity, these historic sites are invaluable and offer countless stories waiting to be told.