You must agree, most of the time, when planning a vacation, we choose beaches, shopping or nature. But there is a special category of travel – to where history literally lives. In these places, houses, streets and temples preserve the memory of thousands of years. Here you can walk along the same paths that people walked several thousand years ago. It is about such places that we will talk about today. We will talk about the oldest cities on the planet.
Jericho is the city that stands at the origins
On the territory of present-day Israel, not far from the Dead Sea, there is a real record holder – Jericho. Scientists claim that the first settlements settled here as early as 11,000 years ago. Therefore, if you are wondering which is the oldest city in the world, start your search from here. Despite the modest size of the city, pilgrims, historians and tourists come to Jericho, who are interested in seeing the ancient walls, the remains of fortifications and the very place where, according to legend, the walls collapsed after the sound of trumpets.
Damascus – antiquity in the rhythm of a big city
This is, without a doubt, a city of contrasts. On the one hand, it is the modern capital of Syria with transport, universities and markets. On the other hand, it was a city that stood back when the first nomadic tribes were just appearing on the territory of Kazakhstan. If you are looking for the oldest city in the world, the name of Damascus will definitely be on the list. Here you can walk through the streets where Alexander the Great’s soldiers marched, and take a guided tour of the Umayyad Mosque, one of the oldest in the world.
Byblos is the birthplace of the alphabet
A small, cozy coastal town in Lebanon boasts an age of about 7,000 years. One of the first forms of writing originated here. It is not difficult to guess that the word “bible” originated from its name. Today Byblos is not only a historical center, but also a resort with atmospheric cafes, antique shops and a promenade where the sunset seems to have descended from an ancient mosaic. These are the places I would like to add to my personal top of the oldest cities.
Athens – philosophy of time
Perhaps no one doubts that Athens is more than just the Greek capital. It is the cradle of democracy, philosophy and art. Yes, there are tens of thousands of tourists here today, traffic jams and noise. But it’s worth going up to the Acropolis – and you seem to fall into the depths of the centuries! Interesting old cities are often the most stunning for their architecture, and Athens is out of competition here. It’s nice to just walk around here, try souvlaki and gyros in small shops and feel how the past adjoins the present literally next to you.
Argos is a modest greatness
Few people have heard of this Greek city, but at one time Argos was one of the most influential cities of Ancient Greece. Now it is a quiet town, but archaeological excavations and a magnificent amphitheater, which is about 2.5 thousand years old, remind of its former greatness. Argos is a great option for those who want to better understand how the ancient Greeks lived, but without the crowds of tourists.
Erbil is the Kurdish fortress of time
We are talking about the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan, but it is known for more than that. The Citadel of Erbil is located here – a massive fortification that is still inhabited. And this is very rare, as you know. If you want to see the oldest existing city in the world, which has preserved its structure, then Erbil is definitely worth including in the itinerary. Nowadays, the city is actively developing, business centers and high-quality roads are being built, but at the same time, Oriental antiquity has literally grown into everyday life here.
Plovdiv is a Bulgarian pearl
One of the most picturesque cities in Eastern Europe was founded about 6 thousand years ago. This place combines ancient ruins with 19th-century architecture and modern art galleries in a surprisingly harmonious way. The city has an ancient Roman theater, wine cellars, and the vibrant creative quarter of Kapan. So Plovdiv knows exactly how to be fashionable in the old days.
Varanasi is the spiritual breath of India
People don’t just live here, they pray, purify and believe. Varanasi, according to legend, was founded by the god Shiva himself. The streets of the city are full of the scents of incense, the sounds of mantras and lights. This place is not for an excursion, but for an internal trip. For those who are interested not only in architecture, but also in the philosophy of life, Varanasi will give a special spiritual experience.
What have we learned?
The earth holds memories. And these cities are like living witnesses of how it all began. Some of them have turned into modern megacities, others have remained small, but all of them are unique. Not only were the first temples built and the first books written in these places. The voice of time is heard there. And perhaps he is already ready to tell his story to you.
