For reference: in Europe, the oldest cities include Lisbon (about 1000 BC), Rome (753 BC), Corfu (about 700 BC), Mantua ( around 500 BC). For comparison: London was founded in 43 AD, Moscow no later than 1147, Kyiv around 880, my Vasilkov 988.

The Twenty Most Ancient Cities in the World Still Inhabited

Situated on the western bank of the Ganges River, Varanasi - also known as Benares - is an important holy city for Hindus and Buddhists. According to legend, it was founded by the Hindu god Shiva 5,000 years ago, although modern scientists believe that the city is about 3,000 years old.

Built on a narrow strip of land jutting out into the Atlantic Ocean, Cadiz has been a Spanish naval port since the 18th century. Founded by the Phoenicians as a small trading post and captured by the Carthaginians around 500 BC, becoming a staging area for Hannibal's conquest of Iberia. Then it was in Roman and Moorish possession. Now it is experiencing a renaissance.

Around 1400 BC. three modern cities founded

A major rival of ancient Athens, Thebes was ruled by the Boeotian Confederacy and even assisted Xerxes during the Persian invasion in 480 BC. Today Thebes is little more than a city market.

Founded as China by the Phoenicians, Larnaca is famous for its numerous coastal palm trees. Archaeological sites and numerous beaches attract modern visitors.

The cradle of Western civilization and the birthplace of democracy. Athens is filled with Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman monuments and remains an extremely popular tourist city

Known to the ancient Greeks as Baktr, modern Balkh is located in Northern Afghanistan and is often called [the mother of Arab cities]. The peak of development occurs in the years between 2500 BC. and 1900 BC before the emergence of the Persian Empire and the Median. Modern Balkh is the center of the region's cotton industry.

Situated about 150 miles north of Baghdad, Kirkuk stands on the site of the ancient Assyrian capital of Arrapha. Its strategic importance was recognized by the Babylonians and Media, who tried to control the city. The ruins of the 5,000-year-old citadel are still visible, and the city is now the headquarters of Iraq's oil industry.

To the north of Kirkuk lies Erbil, which was once a possession of different time: Assyrians, Persians, Sasanians, Arabs and Turks. It was the main stop on the Silk Road. The ancient 26-meter high citadel still dominates the skyline.

The legendary birthplace of Europa and Dido, Tire was founded around 2750 BC, according to the description of Herodotus. It was conquered by Alexander the Great in 332 BC. after a seven-month siege and became a Roman province in 64 BC. Today tourism is the city's main industry: the World Heritage (UNESCO) Roman Hippodrome.

Jerusalem spiritual center Jewish people and the third holy city of Islam. The city is home to several important religious sites, including the Mosque of Omar, the Western Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher and al-Aqsa. During its history, the city was besieged 23 times, attacked 52 times, captured 44 times and destroyed twice.

The capital of Lebanon, as well as its cultural, administrative and economic center, Beirut reaches back 5,000 years of history. During excavations in the city, monuments from the Phoenician, Hellenistic, Roman, Arab and Ottoman eras were found; there is information that the city was mentioned in the letters of the Pharaoh of Egypt as early as the 14th century BC. After graduation civil war in Lebanon, Beirut has come to life and become a modern tourist attraction.

Built in the southern part of Turkey, near the border with Syria, Gaziantep's history dates back to the times of the Hittites. The Ravanda fortress, restored by the Byzantines in the 6th century, is located in the city center, and ancient Roman mosaics were discovered in it.

Also three cities were founded around 4000 BC

The second largest city in Bulgaria, Plovdiv was originally a Thracian settlement before becoming the main city of the Roman Empire. It was later captured by the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires before becoming part of Bulgaria. The city is a major cultural center and is home to many ancient monuments, including a Roman amphitheater and aqueduct, and an Ottoman bath.

About 25 miles south of Beirut is Sidon, one of the most important and perhaps the oldest Phoenician cities. It was the basis from which the Mediterranean empire of the Phoenicians grew. Both Jesus and St. Paul are said to have visited Saida, as did Alexander the Great, who captured the city in 333 BC.

Faiyoum (El Fayoum) is located southwest of Cairo, and most of it is occupied by Crocodilopolis, an ancient Egyptian city that worshiped Petsuchos, the sacred crocodile. The modern city has several large bazaars, mosques and baths; nearby are the pyramids of Lekhin and Hawara.

Susa was the capital of the Elamite Empire until it was captured by the Assyrians. It was precisely the subjugation of the Achaemenid Persians by Cyrus the Great that took place, as Aeschylus and other ancient theatrical plays write about in his tragedies. The modern city of Shush has about 65 thousand population.

3rd and 4th placesdivided between two ancient cities around 4300 BC.

There is information from some sources that Damascus is the most ancient city on Earth, founded more than 12 thousand years ago. It became a large and important settlement after the arrival of the Arameans, who created a network of water canals. Damascus was at various times under the rule of Alexander the Great, Rome, the Arabs and the Ottomans. Today, its rich historical heritage has made the city one of the most popular tourist destinations.

The most populous city in Syria with about 4.4 million inhabitants, Aleppo was founded as Halab around 4300 BC. The city was under the control of the Hittites, then under the Assyrian, Greek and Persian empires. It was later captured by the Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, besieged by the Crusaders, and then fell under the rule of the Mongols and Turks.

Founded by the Phoenicians as Gebal. The name Byblos (Byblos) received from the Greeks, who imported papyrus from the city. By the way, the modern word [Bible] comes from the name of the city. The main tourist sites are the ancient Phoenician temples, the castle of St. John the Baptist and the medieval city wall.

The oldest city currently inhabited. Archaeologists have discovered the remains of a settlement dating back to 11,000 BC. The city is located on the West Bank of the Jordan River, and today it is home to about 20 thousand people.

That's all! That's it, little ones, the dancing is over :)

This material will introduce you not to the very first cities that appeared on our planet, but to those cities that, from the moment of their founding, were constantly inhabited. Although, the debate about who is the most among them has been going on for years.

1. Most often, the most ancient city that safely exists to this day is considered Palestinian town of Jericho, which appeared back in the Copper Age (9000 BC).

2. In second place is the capital of Syria is Damascus. It appeared in the same era as Jericho, but approximately a thousand years later.

3. small town Bible located in the suburbs capital of Lebanon, Beirut, has a history that dates back to the Neolithic (7000 BC).

4. Iranian city of Susa (Shush) has a disputed founding date, which ranges from 5000-7000 BC.

5. Another disputed city is Syrian Aleppo. The problem is that there is no old and new city. Present-day Aleppo is located on the site of the first settlements, which significantly complicates archaeological excavations.

6. Sidon - Lebanese town, first inhabited 5500 BC

7. El Fayoum - an oasis city in the middle of the Libyan Desert was founded around 4000 BC.

8. Oddly enough, but the oldest in Europe, a still existing city with a constant population throughout history, is Bulgarian Plovdiv (city on seven hills), on modern territory of which the first settlements also appeared 4000 BC.

9. Turkish Gaziantep, According to one version, it appeared 3650 BC. But the date is also disputed downwards.

10. Two Greek cities, Argos and Athens, appeared at about the same time. However, controversy surrounding the first permanent settlements continues constantly. Accurate facts about the existence of urban settlements date back to 5000 BC. However, there is information about seven millennia BC. In general, the debate continues.

Argos.
center]

Here's a simple question. Which city is the oldest? Not easy the very first city to appear on our planet, and a city that, from the moment of its founding, was constantly inhabited.

Most often, the most ancient city that successfully exists to this day is considered to be the Palestinian town of Jericho, which appeared back in the Copper Age (9000 BC).

After the exodus from Egypt and the death of Moses, Joshua led the Israelites. According to Yahweh's will, he led them to conquer Canaan. For some reason, the first city on his way turned out to be Jericho (the question has not been clarified to this day): it was not at all on the way from Egypt, nor on the way from the desert. From time immemorial the fortress was considered impregnable, so Jesus sent out scouts. Obviously, the spies confirmed the worst fears of the Israelis regarding the power of the walls of Jericho, for the siege tactics chosen by Jesus the commander have no analogues in world history.

After celebrating the Passover, Jesus forced the entire male population of Israel to undergo the rite of circumcision, which had not been used since the Exodus. After this, the Israelites walked at a safe distance around the walls of Jericho for six days. The procession was led by warriors, followed by men and doomedly blowing pipes and trumpets, followed by priests carrying the ark, and old men, women and children bringing up the rear of this procession. Only 4 million people, everyone was ominously silent, the air was filled only with the howling and whistling of pipes. The besieged observed with great surprise such a strange method of siege, suspecting the magical meaning of what was happening, but did not surrender to the mercy of God's chosen people.

On the seventh day, Joshua (by the way, in violation of the covenant to rest on the seventh day) decided to attack. The Israelis walked around the walls six times, maintaining deathly silence. And on the seventh circle they cried out loudly and in unison. The walls could not withstand the screams and cries - and collapsed. Probably, the Canaanites also fainted along with them... The Israelites burst into the city and killed every single inhabitant, and even the animals. Only the prostitute Rahab was spared, who let me spend the night Israeli spies. The city itself was burned to the ground...

Much effort was spent on finding Jericho of Canaanite. Researchers have expended a lot of energy in search of Jericho of Israel. The peculiarity of the search was that science tried to reconcile the Bible with history: most archaeological scientists of the past were Christians. They were looking for confirmation Old Testament in Egypt and Syria, Babylon and Palestine. From the search for the pharaoh, during whom the exodus from Egypt took place, a whole problem arose, insoluble for centuries. That is why it was so important to find Jericho - if it existed, it should have stood in the same place, on the Jordan... True, they had no idea which one it was: Canaanite or Israeli Jericho? Neither one nor the other was found.

Joshua cursed the Canaanite Jericho (Book I.N., VI, 25). IN mid-19th century centuries, Tobler and Robinson suggested the approximate place where it should have been, this damned Jericho. Having chosen a hill in the middle of the plain, not far from the Jordan, they began excavations on it and found nothing. Warren also dug on the hill in 1868, and nothing was found either. In 1894, Blythe drew the attention of scientists to the same hill, believing that Jericho was still hidden underneath it. And the German archaeologist Sellin in 1899 studied the surface of the hill and discovered several shards of Canaanite dishes. He came to the conclusion that his predecessors were right: most likely, hidden under the layers ancient city. Moreover, there is a village called Ericha preserved here... And the Jordan is not far away.

In 1904, the Germans Thirsch and Gelyper visited here and collected new data that indicated the correctness of the conclusions of everyone who tried to discover Jericho in the vicinity of Erich. But the honor of the discoverer still belongs to Sellin. In 1907, Sellin obtained materials that confirmed everything that archeology had dreamed of: he discovered houses and part of the city wall with a tower (five rows of stone masonry and adobe masonry 3 meters high). Finally, in 1908, the East German Society organized more serious excavations, led by Sellin, Langen-Egger and Watzinger. In 1909 they were joined by Neldeke and Schulze.

The hill, in plan resembling an ellipse, stretches from north-northeast to south-southwest, the city occupied an area of ​​235,000 square meters. Archaeologists completely excavated (in the north) the width of the city wall, equal to 3 meters, and discovered a second city wall 1.5 meters wide. Another part of the wall was discovered on the same northern slope of the hill with a stone plinth and mud brickwork 7 meters high. Having examined an area of ​​1,350 square meters between the city walls and trial northern excavations, scientists discovered a later Muslim cemetery in the upper layers, and the remains of city buildings in the lower layers.

Excavations on the western side of the hill revealed stone staircases built after the destruction of the city walls, and underneath the staircases were also the remains of much earlier houses. In the northern part of the hill, the walls of a Hittite building (the Khilani building) were discovered. Closer to the eastern wall, which has not survived, are the remains of houses. Not far from the inner city wall there are blocks of houses, as well as a street under the wall. In an area of ​​200 square meters to the west, a city wall and the remains of buildings were discovered, and a Byzantine necropolis was found under the wall. Near the southwestern wall, the remains of a house from the Jewish era were excavated.

Initially, archaeologists counted eight layers, replacing one another: Muslim, the latest, represented by graves; Byzantine layer; Late Judaic, with fragments of Attic pottery from the classical era; ancient Jewish (house over an ancient wall); Israeli, which includes the Hilani house, the houses in the center (closer to the missing eastern wall), graves, stairs and the outer city wall; Late Canaanite (finds between the outer and inner city walls and pottery); ancient Canaanite - the remains of a city with houses and an outer and inner city wall; finally, the original layer, also divided into several periods, which includes houses under the inner city wall, some masses of bricks to the north-west?...

Despite the significant shortcomings with which the excavations were carried out, even the fact that scientists certainly wanted to “fit the Bible” of many discoveries, the main contribution of Sellin and his colleagues to science is that the history of Jericho ceased to be counted from Joshua, and the scientific world received the most ancient city known on Earth, dating back (in the view of the 1920s) to the 4th millennium BC. e.

The city was called Lunar because of the cult of the Moon. The initial and Canaanite periods of Jericho, of which the latter is marked by the destruction of massive brick walls in the northwest and the construction of two city walls - an outer and an inner one, like two rings. The city was especially impregnable from the east, from where the nomads harassed. The population of the city, both in the initial period and in the Canaanite period, was the same. In the oldest layer, tools made of flint, tools made of other stones, so-called “cup” stones were found.

After the destruction of the city of the initial period, Jericho moved somewhat to the south of the hill. The Canaanite walls were erected already in the 3rd-2nd millennium BC. e. Sellin correlated the fact of destruction with the invasion of the “four kings of the East” (Genesis, chapter 14).

Double protective wall Jericho is an exception for Palestine. But among the Hittites this was the usual method of defense.

Canaanite Jericho is very beautiful. It contains Aegean and Babylonian motifs, although it is mainly independent. In one of the houses a stone god similar to the products of Gezer was found. No burials from the Canaanite period were found in the city. The city was destroyed from the east, where the entire city wall was destroyed, and set on fire (there are traces of fire everywhere), after which it remained almost uninhabited for some time. However, part of the population continued to live in Jericho, and archeology connects this with the late Canaanite period. The period is characterized by so-called chipped ceramics. Sellin believed that this time Jericho was destroyed by the Israelites. During the Israeli era, Canaanites lived in the city for a long time until they were completely assimilated with the conquerors. However, excavations at the beginning of the century showed that the late Canaanite period did not leave any traces of the presence of another people. Before the invasion of the Israelites in the middle of the 2nd millennium BC. e. there were still a few centuries left... Actually, Sellin himself dated the Israeli layer in Jericho to the 11th-9th centuries BC. e.

Jericho, Israel, was unusually busy. The influence of connections with the Aramaic regions was felt. Stairs were built on top of the destroyed walls, and a new imposing wall was erected, the Hittite-style Khilani Palace. Archaeologists have discovered a lot of colorful and varied ceramics, even stylized as metal. The palace and wall of Israel's Jericho were built by Hiel, probably the viceroy of King Ahab. Jericho became the center of a large region, and the fortress protected from the Moabites.

In Israeli Jericho, burials were excavated in the courtyards of houses. Clay vessels were found with the bones. Children were buried under the floors of houses.

At the end of the 8th century BC. e. The kingdom of Israel perished (722). The walls of Israeli Jericho were destroyed. But the city did not cease to exist. Above it, Jewish Jericho lived its two periods - early and late. The city was no longer fortified, but life was in full swing in it. The early Jewish city was located on the eastern slope of the hill. Jericho traded with Cyprus and Egypt. Among the finds are Cypriot vases, Indian ceramics, Attic and Hellenistic vessels, amulets, gods and demons. The city of Judah was destroyed at Sodecia by the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar, who suddenly attacked: many utensils remained in the houses. The city was burned out, and many people were taken prisoner. New Jericho began to be rebuilt in the north (within the limits of the previous one).

In 350 BC. e. the city was again destroyed, and all the inhabitants were taken captive. Until the middle of the 2nd century BC. e. The Maccabean city was located 2-3 kilometers northwest of the hill. At the end of the 2nd century, Jericho came to life again, however, also not on the hill, but near Wadi Kelt. But in the year 70 of the 1st century AD. e. was destroyed by Vespasian. Under Adrian it was restored. At that time, the ruins of Khilani were still “alive,” which were revered as the “house of Rahab.” And, although this house is more recent, it is represented as the home of a traitor to the city who helped Israel.

In 614 the city was destroyed by the Persians. Traces remain Byzantine period: pottery oven, a lot of dishes - ceramic, glass, bronze, iron...

The city existed in the 7th-9th centuries and later. Since the 13th century, there was a Muslim village in it, which was demolished by Ibrahim Pasha in the middle of the 19th century... But life on the hill did not stop: the village of Eriha remained...

As for the Trumpets of Jericho, it is probably not a legend, but a remnant of wonderful ancient knowledge, known then, but forgotten by us. So the ziggurat of Chichen Itza Kukulkan in the days of spring and autumn equinox“with the precision of a Swiss chronometer” (G. Hancock “Traces of the Gods”) on the steps of the northern staircase he composed an image of a giant writhing snake from triangles of light and shadow. The illusion lasted three hours and twenty-two minutes... the wonderful temples of Ancient America, according to the enthusiastic recollections of the Indians themselves, were built “to the sound of divine trumpets”: the multifaceted block itself fit into complex geometric masonry. These walls still stand today. In the same way, to the sounds of Orpheus’ lyre, stones formed walls by themselves, and trees began to dance. Perhaps the walls of Jericho were destroyed in an equally incredible way... True, the children of Israel had to work hard carrying the “Holy Ark” around the city for seven whole days...

Hisham's Palace. Mosaic with the Goddess.

And, oddly enough, Sellin's research showed that the walls of Jericho had indeed fallen! External - outward, internal - inward. A dispute arose for several decades: when?.. And so far there is no consensus on this matter among scientists. We would venture to suggest that, after all, at the turn of the XIV-XIII centuries BC. e. This version is not rejected by some experts.

Further events were associated with new discoveries. An accidental grenade explosion on the hill in 1918 resulted in the discovery of an ancient synagogue.

Clickable 2000 px

Since 1929, excavations in Jericho have been led by the Englishman John Gerstang. In 1935-1936 he discovered the lower layers of a Stone Age settlement! People who did not know ceramics already led a sedentary lifestyle. They lived first in round half-dugouts, and later in rectangular houses. In one of these excavated houses, a ceremonial hall with six wooden pillars was discovered - these are the remains of a temple. Scientists did not find household items here, but they found many animal figurines made of clay: horses, cows, goats, sheep, pigs, as well as plastic sculptures of fertility symbols. In one of the layers of prehistoric Jericho, life-size group portraits (sculptures) of men, women and children (clay on a reed frame) were discovered.

Further discoveries in Jericho were made by Cutley Canyon in 1953. It was then that people started talking about Jericho as the oldest city in the world.

Clickable

The 8th millennium fortress was surrounded by a thick stone wall with powerful towers, and none of the later cities on this site had such powerful towers. The wall surrounded an area of ​​2.5 hectares, on which approximately 3 thousand people lived. Most likely, they were engaged in the trade of salt from the Dead Sea.

In addition, ancient Jericho is probably the “ancestor” of the tradition of beheading the dead before burial. This was probably associated with the cult of the Moon and symbolized hopes for revival. In any case, the heads were kept (or buried) separately from the body. This custom is still preserved among some peoples.

This was the most ancient city on Earth, Jericho.

Thanks to his geographical location Jericho has long been the key to the Palestine Highlands, as many roads converged here. Pilgrims from countries located east of the Jordan gathered in the city when they headed to Jerusalem on the days of major temple holidays. Jesus Christ also came here from Nazareth when he first directed his steps towards the holy city. Before reaching Jericho, the Savior healed a man blind from birth, who was sitting by the road and begging for alms.

Clickable 1800 px , panorama

Not far from the market square of modern Jericho there is a hill 20 meters high. It was here at the beginning of the 20th century that what remained of ancient Jericho, one of the oldest cities in the world, was discovered. However, on the excavation site, the remains of a powerful tower rooted deep into the ground also attract attention; and to the north of the excavations of ancient Jericho are the ruins of the palace of Hisham ibn Al-Malik, the Caliph of Damascus from the Umayyad dynasty. This magnificent palace was built in the 8th century, but now scientists have only found the remains of two mosques and several baths. The main attraction of Hisham's palace are the surviving mosaic paintings: one of them is especially noteworthy, which depicts the “tree of life” strewn with golden fruits and a lion attacking gazelles.

On the western border of modern Jericho rises the “Forty Day Mountain” (its height is 380 m), which is also called the “Mountain of Temptation”. It was on this mountain, according to legend, that Jesus Christ, tempted by the devil, fasted for 40 days and 40 nights after his baptism. At the top of the mountain there are ruins of a Byzantine church.

Joshua. A fall Jericho.

On the way to this mountain is the source of the prophet Elisha, and the ruins around it mark the location of the ancient city, located five miles from the Jordan River. However, some scholars believe that this is not the location of New Testament Jericho, which may or may not coincide with the location of the small village of Erich, which is sometimes called Jericho.

Clickable 1800 px, panorama

Clickable

Cities with a thousand-year history can surprise you with much more than just beautiful architecture and unique artifacts. They bear the imprints of previous eras and civilizations and are a reflection of both positive and negative events humanity. These cities are full of amazing stories and legends and are the biggest draws for seasoned explorers. Let's look at cities that are almost as old as the hills on which they were built.

10. Damascus, Syria

Syria's capital, Damascus, is also the country's second largest city, with a population of approximately 2.5 million. The city's history dates back to 10,000 - 8,000 BC, although the exact time is still debated. Damascus is recognized as one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. The city, located between Africa and Asia, has a favorable geographical location at the crossroads of East and West.

Since time immemorial, Damascus has been a significant cultural, commercial and administrative center. It was a gathering place for local and foreign traders and artisans. The city was shaped by several civilizations that created it: Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine and Islamic. The old fortified city amazes with its ancient architecture, narrow streets, green courtyards and white houses. However, the centuries-old architecture is a bit of a contrast to the flow of tourists who come from all over the world to see this breathtaking site.

9. Athens, Greece


The cradle of Western civilization, Athens is the capital of Greece with a population of approximately three million people. It has been inhabited for over 7,000 years. Appearance The city is marked by Ottoman, Byzantine and Roman civilizations. It is the birthplace of outstanding philosophers, writers, playwrights, artists and the classical style to which they gave rise.

Modern Athens is a cosmopolitan city. It is the cultural, media, educational, political and industrial center of Greece. The historical center of the city is located at the Acropolis ("high city"), on a huge hill with the remains of ancient buildings and the Parthenon. Because Athens is considered a huge archaeological research center, the city is full of historical museums, including the National Archaeological Museum, the Byzantine and Christian Museum, and the New Acropolis Museum.

When visiting Athens, you should not miss the opportunity to visit the Port of Piraeus, which has been the most important port in the Mediterranean for centuries due to its geostrategic location.

8. Byblos, Lebanon


Byblos is another cradle of many ancient civilizations. It is one of the oldest cities in Phenicia and has been continuously inhabited for 5,000 years, although the first signs of settlement date back to earlier periods. The Bible is directly related to the development of the Phoenician alphabet, which is used even today. The interesting thing is that English word The Bible is derived from the name of the city, since Byblos was an important port through which papyrus was imported.

Byblos is now a popular tourist destination due to the number of wonders it contains, including ancient citadels and temples with scenic views of the Mediterranean Sea, ancient ruins and port. Over the years, it has become a modern city, but the imprint of antiquity is visible to the naked eye. It has an impressive combination of tradition and sophistication and still lives on through its ancient heart.

7. Jerusalem, Israel


Jerusalem is one of the most visited cities in the Middle East, as well as the most important religious direction in the world. As you know, Jerusalem is considered a holy place for Jews, Christians and Muslims. According to the Bible, Jerusalem was founded by David as the capital of the United Kingdom of Israel. Currently, Jerusalem has 800,000 inhabitants, 60 percent of whom are of the Jewish faith.

Over the years, Jerusalem has experienced many tragic events, including numerous attacks, sieges and destruction. The Old City was founded four thousand years ago. It is divided into four quadrants, which are known today as the Christian Quarter, the Muslim Quarter, the Armenian Quarter and the Jewish Quarter.

In 1981, the Old Town was listed as a World Heritage Site in Danger. Modernization has spread far beyond ancient center. Jerusalem holds incredible symbolic meaning for Jewish people around the world, as it symbolizes their desire to return home.

6. Varanasi, India


India is the world famous home of ancient civilizations, religions and spirituality. The holy city of India, Varanasi, is located on the banks of the Ganges River, which Hindus believe was founded by Shiva. The history of the city dates back to the 12th century BC.

Varanasi, also known as Benares, was a destination for pilgrims and wanderers. Mark Twain once said the following about this city: “Benares is older than history, older than tradition and even older than legend. He looks twice the age of all of them combined.” Varanasi is a prominent cultural and religious center with many famous poets, writers and musicians residing in the city.

Varanasi had great industrial potential due to its high quality textiles, perfumes, sculptures and ivory trade. It is currently a center for arts and crafts. Almost anything you could imagine can be found here, including silk brocade, carpet weaving, toys, glass and ivory work, perfume, and various accessories and jewelry. For some people, Varanasi is a true paradise.

5. Cholula, Mexico


More than 2,500 years ago, the city of Cholula developed from numerous scattered villages. It was home to various Latin American cultures such as the Olmecs, Toltecs and Aztecs. The city's name means "place of flight" in Nahuatl and was formerly known as Acholollan. When the city was captured by the Spanish, it began to prosper. Cortés once called Cholula "the most beautiful city outside Spain."

Currently it is a small colonial city with a population of 60,000 people. The city's most notable landmark is the Great Pyramid of Cholula, with its sanctuary at the top. It is considered the largest monument ever built by people. It consists of many tunnels and caves, however only a small part of these tunnels have been converted into passages and open to the public.

4. Jericho, Palestine


Currently, Jericho is a small city with a population of about 20,000 people. In the Hebrew Bible it is called the City of Palm Trees. Archaeological excavations have shown evidence of human settlement in this city almost 11,000 years ago, with at least 20 settlements.

Jericho is located in the center of Palestine, making it an ideal location for routes and trade. Additionally, Jericho's natural beauty and resources led to numerous invasions of ancient Palestine. In the first century the city was destroyed by the Romans, rebuilt by the Byzantines and destroyed again before being abandoned for centuries. In the 20th century, the area of ​​Jericho was occupied by Jordan and Israel before becoming part of Palestine in 1994. The most famous sights of Jericho are Tell es-Sultan, Hisham Palace, and the mosaic floor of the Peace to Israel synagogue.

3. Aleppo, Syria


The city of Aleppo is the largest in Syria, home to more than two million people. Aleppo has an incredibly advantageous geographical location, being in the center of the Great Silk Road, which connected Asia and the Mediterranean. The city remained inhabited for over 8,000 years, but archaeological excavations have uncovered evidence of human habitation in the area dating back almost 13,000 years. Over the course of various eras, Aleppo was under the control of the Romans, Byzantines, Ottomans and ended up being a melting pot. architectural styles.

The old town is filled with hotels, schools, hammams, and churches from the 13th and 14th centuries. Aleppo also has narrow streets and large estates, although the modern part has wide roads and large squares. What's interesting is that Aleppo is made up of cell-like segments that are socially and economically independent. Over the years, the city was subject to invasions and instability, so the inhabitants were forced to fortify the city. Aleppo is often called the “soul of Syria”.

2. Plovdiv, Bulgaria


The history of Plovdiv dates back to 4000 BC, we learned about this thanks to Neolithic excavations. Over the centuries, Plovdiv has been ruled by many empires, although it was originally a Thracian city. It was later conquered by the Romans. In the Middle Ages, Plovdiv was an attractive territory for the Bulgarian, Byzantine and Ottoman Empires. In 1885 the city became part of Bulgaria and is now the second largest city in the country, as well as a significant economic, educational and cultural center.

The old town is definitely worth a visit. It turned out to be crowded with restaurants, workshops and museums that were previously famous houses. Archaeological sites, museums, churches and temples are also must-see places in Plovdiv.

1. Luoyang, China


While most old cities are located in the Mediterranean, Luoyang stands as the oldest continuously inhabited city in Asia. It is included in the list of the Seven Great Ancient Capitals of China and is also considered the geographical center of China and the cradle of Chinese culture and history. No other city in China has seen as many dynasties and emperors as Luoyang, which has been inhabited for over 4,000 years and now boasts a population of nearly 7 million.

With its long and fascinating history, Luoyang has become a spectacular tourist destination. The Longmen Grottoes complex and numerous historical Buddhist temples are the city's real attractions. In addition, there is also famous Temple White Horse (Baymasy) - the first temple erected in China.

Although determining the exact age of ancient settlements is not as simple a task for science as it seems at first glance, today there are a number of cities known that scientists call the oldest on the planet.

The history of the ancient city of Jericho begins in the 9th millennium BC. e., when traces of the first human habitation were discovered here. Located 30 km from Jerusalem, Jericho has been mentioned more than once in evangelical events. The mention in the Bible brought Jericho religious fame and later attracted crowds of scholars who wanted to document the biblical chronology. According to some archaeologists, Jericho is the oldest excavated city in the world, dating back some 6,000 years of almost continuous occupation. The signs at the entrance to the city, which read: “The most ancient city in the world,” are also in a hurry to declare this. In addition, the city is more than 200 m below sea level, making it one of the lowest in the world.

On the Lebanese coast Mediterranean Sea from ancient state Phenicia, whose center is located in modern Lebanon, has preserved to this day the ancient city of Byblos, which is often referred to as the oldest city on the planet. In ancient times, Byblos was known as one of the largest ports in the Mediterranean, through which papyrus was exported from Egypt to Greece. During the era of wars, the city was not spared by any of the conquerors of the ancient world, leaving fortress walls, amphitheaters, temples and colonnades in memory of themselves. Today Byblos is a small fishing town in northern Lebanon with a population of 20,000 people, which preserves an ancient harbor with stone walls and towers, a Roman amphitheater, stone wells with sarcophagi of rulers and the ruins of Hellenic temples. The central square of the city is decorated with the ancient Egyptian Temple of the Obelisks, built almost 4,000 years ago.

A number of cities in neighboring Syria also vie for the title of the oldest on the planet. The country's largest city by population, Aleppo, was first mentioned in the 3rd millennium BC. e. as the capital of the ancient Semitic state of Ebla. Over the course of its history, more than a dozen conquerors from Alexander the Great to Tamerlane passed through the city, leaving their traces on the appearance of Aleppo. Thanks to its strategic location on the Great silk road, Aleppo attracted many traders from all over Asia. The Al Madina covered market in the old city has survived to this day, which is the world's largest historical market with a length of almost 13 km. The market, together with the territory of the old city and the famous Aleppo Citadel - a medieval fortress of the 10th century - is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The city of Susa in southwestern Iran is another contender for the title of the oldest in the world. It gained fame as the capital of the ancient state of Elam, which existed on the territory of Iran from the 3rd millennium BC. After the fall of Elam, the city became first the residence of the Assyrian and then the Persian kings. Currently Susa is small town with a population of 60,000 people. Despite its significant cultural and historical heritage, the city is famous not for the ruins of the ancient palace of the Elamite kings, but for the fortress built by French archaeologists in the late 1890s, which ensured their safety and the safety of their finds.