L earning about facts of ancient cities can provide people a gateway and means of communication to feel connected to everything that has existed before them. Fortunately for you, we have all the necessary information there is to know about some of the oldest cities around the world.
Situated in the Keserwan-Jbeil Governorate, Byblos is a city in Lebanon. Through investigations, it was found how Byblos was first inhabited around c. 8000–c. 4000 BC and has since maintained settlement.
It holds a reputation for being a famous trading center for the valuable species of woods, including cedar. With the ruins of many civilizations present here, it is truly a wonderful place to visit. According to the city profile, Byblos now has a population of 40000 inhabitants. A large sector of its economy is directly related to tourism, so don't be afraid to be the next tourist in this city of historic treasures!
Known as the "City of Jasmine," Damascus is the capital of Syria. Apart from being the oldest capital, it is also considered by many to be one of the most Islamically important cities. It was first civilized in the second millennium BC and has been continuously inhabited since. According to world statistical data, Damascus currently has a population of 2.4 million people.
Apart from being famous for its prosperous craft industry (especially laces and swords), Damascus is exceptionally known for the infamous Umayyad Mosque- or the Great Mosque of Damascus- and is, therefore, a great place to visit to learn more about the beautiful history of Islam. Religious or not, it is a great place to go if you're sincerely interested in history and want to research it.
Varanasi is a city located on the banks of the river Ganges in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh and is sure to ignite all your spiritual tendencies! Modern Archaeologist excavations have revealed that Varanasi was first populated in the 11th or 12th century BC and has remained continually inhabited.
It is, however, most famous for its religious significance. The city attracts many Hindu pilgrims who perform funeral rituals or bathe in the Ganges river as it is believed to be sacred. It is also home to more than 2000 temples. So, if you're interested in studying Hindu traditions or just like observing beautiful places to visit, be sure to add this mesmerizing city to your list of places you need to visit!
The capital of Greece, Athens is another awe-inducing destination that is sure to take your breath away. Evidence suggests that Athens was inhabited before 3000 BCE, since the Neolithic Period, and has remained civilized since then.
Athens offers a few of the most beautiful buildings, including the infamous Acropolis. Its rich cultural background, gripping museums, and remaining ruins of previous civilizations are just a few of the many reasons this city should be your next destination!
Located in the Jordan Valley, Jericho is a Palestinian city situated in the West Bank. Jericho first started being inhabited in around 9000 BC, making it one of the earliest civilizations in the world. Famous in biblical history, it is also described in the old testament as the “City of palm trees”.
However, it is not only this that has made Jericho so famous. The pleasant climate throughout the year, the historical sites of previous civilizations, and the religious significance make this city a hit among travelers worldwide. Moreover, Jericho has a small population of 20300 people, so if you're someone who doesn't like crowded places as much, be sure to make use of the space and visit whenever you have time!
Plovdiv is a city situated in Bulgaria with 343,424 inhabitants, and it first started populating around 6000 BC. Plovdiv is known for many reasons. It is the cultural capital of Bulgaria because of its vibrant, diverse background but is also home to landscapes such as the Plovdiv Roman Theatre, Ancient Stadium of Philippopolis, Roman Ruins, and Tomb. There’s an antiquary store and house museums on almost every house corner -how amazing is that?
Furthermore, Plovdiv is a city built on fertile lands. It thus produces many crops such as vegetables, rice, fruits and more which leads to good cuisine and great food- something you cannot experience at other places.
With so much knowledge about the oldest cities around the world, what more is there left to do other than go sightseeing? If you’re lucky enough to live in these cities, most people envy you. For anyone who’s interested in visiting after reading this article, get up and start planning your trip because you’ve got a ton of places to go to!
