Cities are like people: they are born, live and die. But their age can be thousands of years. But, like people, not everyone is successful. Some cities that were previously large settlements are degenerating into tiny villages, others are completely deserted. But sometimes they are lucky, and for thousands of years they have been a real active city. And the most ancient cities were inhabited not even hundreds, but thousands of years.
You've probably heard about the city of Jericho, its walls and pipes that destroyed them. About the war of Joshua with this city, during which he massacred all the inhabitants, except for one family. In the Bible, this settlement is mentioned many times in general, it is not surprising that many consider this city extremely legendary.
But it exists in fact, and it is the oldest city in the world. It became a large settlement in about the third millennium BC, that is, people have been living in it for more than 50,000 years. Periodically, it was even longer, from about the ninth millennium BC, that is, another 6000 years. Today it is the capital of one of the provinces in the Palestinian territory.
During this time, the city saw everything: the emergence and collapse of civilizations, the emergence of new religions and the death of old ones, new inventions and breakthroughs ... If stones could talk, then Jericho would become the best teacher of history. But, alas, they are silent ...
If Damascus is younger than Jericho, then not much - only 500 years. The first mentions of it as a city date back to 2500 BC. But as a settlement, it appeared much earlier - 10-11 thousand years ago. Today it has become the capital of Syria, despite being the second largest. But this does not prevent him from being the cultural capital of the Promised Land. In addition, it is considered one of the cultural heritage sites and is listed as endangered by UNESCO.
Closes the three most ancient cities in the world Byblos. Despite the fact that the city still lives and flourishes in the same place, it bears a different name - Jebeil. However, foreigners always called him Byblos (or Byblos). Through this major port, they exported many goods, including papyrus. Therefore, its Greek name, like the word "book" itself, came from this settlement.
This settlement appeared about four thousand years ago.
Today this Lebanese city belongs to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, because it is practically a monument of history and architecture.
Susa
This Iranian city is rightfully considered one of the oldest on earth, it appeared about 7 thousand years ago, becoming the place of permanent settlement of a fairly large number of people. He remains with them now. Susa has seen dozens of civilizations, more than once it was the capital of states. Now it is a relatively small settlement, in which about 60-70 thousand people live, mainly Persian Jews and Shiite Arabs.
Derbent is the most ancient city in Russia. This monument of the history of Dagestan is located. Its name translates as "closed gate", which is no coincidence - it has become a kind of Caspian gate (it is located at a narrow passage between the Caucasus mountains and the Caspian Sea). It is not surprising that an active city grew up and constantly existed on this place. According to official versions, it appeared about six thousand years ago, in the Bronze Age.
Saida
Lebanon is generally lucky with ancient cities, and Saida is one of them. As historical research shows, it appeared as a city about 4000 thousand years BC. But archaeologists claim that people periodically appeared on its territory long before that, already in the tenth millennium BC. In the Bible, he was called "the firstborn of Canaan," hinting at his antiquity. Historians, however, argue that it was from this city that the culture of Phenicia grew - one of the largest civilizations of the ancient world.
Fayum
The Egyptian civilization is considered one of the most ancient, but the city related to it has appeared on our list only now. On the other hand, it is difficult to talk about the age of such cities, because there are no exact dates, there are only approximate data. So the foundation of Fayum is attributed to the same fourth millennium BC as Saida, and it is rather difficult to say which of them is older. It is located in the Egyptian region under the funny name Crocodilopolis, which appeared due to the cult of the god with a crocodile head - Petsuhos.
Bulgaria can boast of more than one ancient city, but Plovdiv is one of the best. He is a kind of the same age as the already mentioned Fayum and Sayda, the fourth millennium BC turned out to be quite productive. Now it has become the second largest settlement in Bulgaria and a major cultural center. History and architecture are especially thriving in it, which is not surprising, given the number of picturesque ruins and ancient buildings.
We hope that after reading this article, you have a better idea of which city in the world appeared first. At the same time, it is worth noting that today we talked about those settlements that remain active from the moment of their appearance to the present day. After all, a city remains a city as long as people live in it, without them it becomes ruins.
In ancient times, the city was the capital of the Hashemite state, formed by an Arab tribe. You can find a stone miracle in the desert near the Akkaba resort. It will take about 4 hours to explore all its attractions, during which you will have to cover a path of 10 km. The excursion starts from the entrance to a narrow gorge, at the exit from which the Al-Khazne building meets the holidaymakers. The temple-mausoleum, also referred to as the Treasury of the Pharaohs, conveyed the skill of the best stonecutters of antiquity. It is followed by the street with the Colonnade, attractive with red and pink buildings. On one of the rocks rises the monastery of Ed-Deir, attracts with its beauty the Roman 3-storey palace, the Urn burial vault is striking. Most of the structures were intended for rituals.
Ancient Greek Ephesus in Turkey
It was built by the Greeks in the 9th century BC. For many years of its existence, the ancient city was able to absorb the cultural and historical values of many countries of the ancient world. Even a one-time visit to Ephesus allows you to see many unique attractions that annually gather thousands of tourists around them. These are the fountain of the Emperor Troyan, the library of Celsus, the destroyed temples of Artemis and Hadrian, the remains of the sanctuaries of nymphs and ordinary buildings, attractive for their unusual designs. Surprisingly, the huge amphitheater, erected by the Hellenes for entertainment, has been perfectly preserved to this day. Ephesus has undergone many changes in its history, but no events could take away its beauty and wealth. The unusual city leaves indelible memories of itself.
Persepolis in Iran
City-landmark, conveying the luxury and grandeur of the ancient Persian empire of the Achaemenids. In 330 BC. he was burned by the Macedonian. Despite this, the remains of the ancient palace complex are still perfectly preserved in the city. They are located on a high platform and occupy 135 thousand square meters. m. The cultural "core" of Persepolis is the apadana, or a giant square-shaped hall that can accommodate up to 10 thousand people. Apadana rises on a 2.5-meter platform, and its walls are made of durable raw brick material. Medieval Persepolis was used by the locals as a quarry. Since 1931 archaeological work has been carried out here. The columns of Persepolis are adorned with ancient images and covered with writing by tourists who wished to leave a memory of themselves in the form of their own names.
Baalbek in Lebanon
The city-temple, lost between the mountains of Lebanon and Anti-Lebanon. It is shrouded in many legends explaining its appearance on Lebanese soil. The city owes its name to Baal, a deity worshiped by the Egyptians and Assyrians. The attractions of Baalbek are temples, amazing in their architecture. Scientists still cannot understand how, without the use of high-tech tools, ancient people managed to grind huge boulders so smoothly and use them for construction. The researchers of Lebanon are also surprised by the fact that under the temple there is a system of underground passages. The width of this ancient labyrinth is about 3 m, the height is 2.5 m. The southern stone of Baalbek is also attractive for tourists, climbing which you can feel like a microparticle of the vast Universe.
Palmyra (Tadmor) in Syria
An ancient Syrian city, the first mention of which is found in the chronicles of the 19th century BC. The small elliptical town is decorated with an 11-meter colonnade connecting the cult and shopping centers. This colonnade is considered the main street, but as you move along it you can see arched branches leading to the neighboring streets.
The center of the road is decorated with a triumphal arch, which, despite its dilapidated state, is still striking in its grandeur. The street ends with the Bela sanctuary, erected in 32 AD. in honor of a local deity. This temple was the main one, and its territory was represented by a courtyard with swimming pools. Temple of Nabo, ruins of Roman baths, amphitheater, Senate, agora, Diocletian's camp, Necropolis and Kalaat Ibn Maan fortress are considered the main attractions of Palmyra.
Polonnaruwa in Sri Lanka
The ancient capital of the island of Sri Lanka. Its main attraction is the Stone Temple, built to worship the Buddha. 4 huge statues of the deity are carved directly into the granite rock. Particularly, pilgrims are attracted by the statue of Buddha, who crossed his arms on his chest. The riches of Polonnaruwa are numerous brahminical monuments, the ruins of the garden city of King Parakramabahu, the Lotus pool, Lake Parakrama Samudraya. The Cave of the Spirits of Knowledge, aka Gal Vihara, is recognized as a mysterious territory in Polonnaruwa. And this is not the usual underground kingdom, but an open stone wall with impressive statues of Buddha carved out of stone, frozen in a lying and standing position. Today the ancient city is represented by the remains of palaces and temples enclosed in a rectangle of the city wall.
Chichen Itza in Mexico
The ancient Mexican city belonged to the people of Itza. The name has an interesting translation - "the well of the Itza tribe". Once having hundreds of buildings, the city occupied about 6 square meters. miles. Today it looks like ruins, among which about 30 preserved buildings are of historical value. Archaeologists attribute Chichen Itza to the Mayan culture, tk. most of the buildings were erected by representatives of this tribe. Another group of ancient buildings and cenotes - smooth-walled wells were built already during the Toltec period from the 10th to the 11th century AD. But the most striking buildings remain those that were built by the Mayan tribe (under him the city became the largest religious and ceremonial center). These are Pali House, Deer House, Red House, Temple with lintels, church, monastery with outbuildings, Akab Dzib.
Teotihuacan in Mexico
One of the most unusual cities in ancient Mexico. It is located on the edge of the Anahuac Valley in a treeless highland area. The year of its foundation is considered to be 750th, dating back to our era. In the Nahuatl language, the word "teotihuacan" means the area where people turn into gods. Teotihuacan has a great variety of attractions. The city is rich in temples and palaces, the walls of which are decorated with original frescoes. Its historical place is the Citadel - this is a square framed by platforms with 16 pyramids. According to researchers, the royal residence of the ruler of the ancient city was located here. Another attraction is hidden inside the Citadel - the Pyramid of the Feathered Serpent. However, the pyramids of the Sun and the Moon have always eclipsed the monuments of the mysterious Teotihuacan with their grandeur and beauty.
Machu Picchu in Peru
The city, which belonged to the Incas in antiquity, eventually turned into a tourism center for South American Peru. Built in the XV century. in the mountains, he got a suitable name - "old mountain" (Quechua language). The news of the existence of a piece of the Ancient World, lost in the Andes, was promulgated in 1911 by the American Hiram Bingham. Wondrous Machu Picchu is also called the city in the clouds. Modern researchers of its territory are amazed by the fact that when the city was founded by the Incas, all the nuances of geology, topography, ecology and astronomy were taken into account. All buildings with unusual triangular roofs stand on natural slopes, but they are built in such a way that they will not be damaged even in the event of an earthquake. Since 2007, this wonderful city has been included in the register of New Wonders of the World. His artifacts are on display at the Museum of the City of Cusco.
Leptis Magna in Libya
The ancient city, founded by the Phoenicians in the VII century. BC stretching on the Mediterranean coast next to the city of Homs (Africa, Libya). For 3 centuries, it was subject to Carthage, at the end of the Second Punic War, it belonged to the Numidians, and then to the Romans. The peak of its heyday falls on the end of the II century. AD Today, on the territory of the city, you can get acquainted with many Roman monuments: the ruins of the Thermal Hadrian, the theater, the triumphal arch of Septim Sevres, the central hall with statues and mosaics, the ruins of once luxurious villas decorated with mosaics, the Forum, the semicircular Nymphaeum, the Basilica. Outside the city there is an amphitheater and a circus. The Roman Circle is also very interesting. The structure, which looks like a horseshoe, is located on the eastern side of Leptis Magna.
According to scientists, modern man descended from a small population of Homo sapiens, which survived after a terrible natural disaster that occurred 74,000 years ago, and settled across the African continent. After 10-14 millennia, its members penetrated to Asia, and even later to Europe and America.
With the advent of agriculture, people stopped roaming and began to found villages. Over time, they grew, and around the 7th millennium, the most ancient cities in the world began to emerge.
A bit of terminology
Before talking about the oldest cities in the world, you should find out what is meant by such a definition. In particular, as a result of archaeological excavations on different continents, many large settlements have been found. However, today it is customary to call the ancient cities of the world only those of them that, since their foundation, have never been abandoned by the inhabitants. At the same time, some scholars continue to argue about whether the "age" should not be counted from the moment when a given settlement ceased to be a village, i.e. the number of inhabitants engaged in agriculture has become less than the number of peasants. If we proceed from these considerations, then many ancient cities will be "younger" by several millennia.
Jericho
Be that as it may, to the question of which is the most ancient city in the world, today it is customary to answer by naming Jericho. The first traces of a person found on its territory date back to the 10th millennium BC. e., and the oldest buildings excavated by archaeologists - by 95000th year. The history of Jericho can be traced in some detail in the Old Testament, and later it was repeatedly mentioned in Roman chronicles. In particular, it is known that it was presented by Mark Antony as a gift to Cleopatra. However, later the emperor Augustus gave it to King Herod, who built many magnificent structures there. In addition, there are records that a Christian church was built in Jericho in the first centuries of our era.
Having existed until the 9th century, the city fell into decay due to the wars of Muslims with the crusaders and the raids of the Bedouins, and from the 13th century it turned into a small Muslim village, destroyed in the 19th century by the Turks. Only in the early 1920s, the irrigation system was restored on the territory of Jericho. After that, these places began to be populated by Arabs.
Today Jericho is a small city of just over 20,000, located in the unrecognized State of Palestine. Its main attraction is the Tel es-Sultan hill with a tower, which is supposedly 9 thousand years old.
Damascus
As already mentioned, when the most ancient cities in the world are listed, it is customary to start the list with Jericho. But the second position in this rating belongs to Damascus. The city was founded in 2500 BC. NS. However, scholars believe that its territory has been continuously inhabited by people since the 10th millennium BC. NS. From the 15th century BC NS. in different periods the city was under the rule of the Egyptian pharaohs, Assyria, Israel, Persia and other powerful states of that time. The history of Damascus at a later time is no less interesting. In particular, it is known that after the visit of St. Apostle Paul, just a few years after the crucifixion of the Savior, there was already a Christian community in the city, and in the Middle Ages it was stormed three times, but the knights-crusaders could not capture it. Like the most ancient city in the world, Jericho, Damascus lay in ruins for some time. The fault was the troops of Tamerlane, who invaded Syria in 1400 and staged a terrible massacre, the consequences of which did not allow Damascus to regain its former power for many years.
The oldest city in the world according to ancient historians
Scientists learned about the true age of Jericho only in the second half of the last century, and before that, in different eras, completely different cities claimed this title. For example, in the ancient world it was believed that the Bible was founded earlier than others, which appears in the Old Testament under the name Gebal. It has been mentioned as a city since the 4th millennium BC. NS. Many legends are associated with it. For example, the ancient Egyptians believed that it was there that Isis found the body of the god Osiris. In addition, Jaybel (the Arabic name for Bybla) is known as the birthplace of various ancient cults, such as those worshiping Baal and Adonis. Since it was in it that most of the papyrus produced in the ancient world was produced, the first books made from such "paper" began to be called byblos.
Athens
Interestingly, the capital of Greece does not claim to be the most ancient city in the world, since it was founded only around 1400 BC. NS. It is known that even in the Mycenaean era there existed a palace and a fortified settlement. For millennia, Athens was the main educational and cultural center of the ancient world and did not lose this role even during the time of Rome. Today, you can see many architectural monuments there, which are several thousand years old. Moreover, in terms of their number, Athens is far superior to other ancient cities on the planet.
Rome
Oddly enough, Rome, which for millennia was called eternal, is not included in the list of the 10 most ancient cities in the world, since it was founded in 753 BC. NS. However, it is obvious that settlements in its place existed for many millennia before. Just if historians get information about the origin of other cities from archaeological excavations, the "birthday" of Rome was "calculated" in the first century on the basis of the legend about the sons of Mars and Princess Rhea Silvia - Remus and Romulus.
The oldest cities in the world: Yerevan
Few people know that the capital of Armenia, more precisely, the city of Erebuni that existed in its place, is 29 years older than Rome. Moreover, this fortress has a quite weighty, both literally and figuratively, "birth certificate" signed by its founder - Argishty, the son of Menua. We are talking about a stone with cuneiform, which in 1894 the famous Russian anthropologist A. Ivanovsky acquired from one of the Armenian peasants. It was possible to decipher the inscription on the boulder, and it turned out that it informs about the construction of a large granary by King Argishta the First. More than half a century later, on the outskirts of Yerevan, on the Arin-berd hill, excavations were carried out and two more slabs were found, one of which already touched the foundation of the fortress. In addition, another "metric of Erebuni" was found, already embedded in the wall of the fortress, some of the buildings of which have been perfectly preserved to this day. In particular, today in the Erebuni fortress, recognized by Forbes as the 9th oldest in the world, you can see the ruins of the Sushi temple with cuneiform tablets of King Argishti, the wall of the Khaldi sanctuary with beautiful wall paintings, an ancient stone water supply and much more.
Derbent
Talking about the most ancient cities in the world, one cannot fail to mention the Russian Derbent. Judging by the archaeological finds, a settlement in its place existed as far back as the 4th millennium BC. NS. and has been raided several times. As for the name Derbent, it was first encountered by Herodotus in a 5th century document. It is also known that in the first century AD, in order to capture this city, which was considered the gateway to the Caspian Sea, the Romans and Persians organized campaigns, fighting for domination in the Caucasus and adjacent regions.
Now you know which is the most ancient city in the world, some interesting information about Damascus, Derbent, Yerevan, Byblos and other cities.
.For reference: in Europe, the oldest cities include Lisbon (about 1000 BC), Rome (753 BC), Kerkyra (about 700 BC), Mantua ( about 500 BC). For comparison: London was founded in 43 AD, Moscow no later than 1147, Kiev around 880, my Vasilkov 988.
Twenty most ancient cities in the world, still inhabited
Located on the west 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 5000 years ago, although modern scientists believe that the age of the city is about 3000 years.
Built on a narrow strip of land jutting out into the Atlantic Ocean, Cadiz has been a port for the Spanish navy since the 18th century. Founded by the Phoenicians as a small trading post and captured by the Carthaginians around 500 BC, becoming Hannibal's base for the conquest of Iberia. Then he was in Roman and Moorish possession. It is now experiencing a renaissance.
Around 1400 BC. three modern cities founded
The main rival of ancient Athens, Thebes was ruled by the Boeotian Confederation and even aided Xerxes during the Persian invasion of 480 BC. Today, Thebes is little more than a city market.
Founded as [Kitiyk by the Phoenicians, Larnaca is known for its many coastal palms. 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 destination
Known to the ancient Greeks as Baktr, modern-day Balkh is located in northern Afghanistan and is often referred to as the [mother of Arab cities]. The peak of development occurs in the years between 2500 BC. and 1900 BC before the rise of the Persian Empire and Mediana. Modern Balkh is the center of the region's cotton industry.
Located 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 a 5,000-year-old citadel are still visible, and the city is currently the headquarters of Iraq's oil industry.
To the north of Kirkuk lies Erbil, which was a possession at different times: Assyrians, Persians, Sassanids, Arabs and Turks. It was the main [stop] on the Silk Road. The ancient 26-meter citadel still dominates the horizon.
The legendary homeland 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 seven months of siege and became a Roman province in 64 BC. Today tourism is the city's main industry: World Heritage (UNESCO) Roman Hippodrome.
Jerusalem is the spiritual center of the Jewish people and the third holy city of Islam. The city is home to several important religious sites, including the Omar Mosque, the Western Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher and al-Aksu. 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 is rooted in history for 5,000 years. During excavations in the city, monuments of the Phoenician, Hellenistic, Roman, Arab and Ottoman eras were found; there is evidence that the city was mentioned in the letters of the pharaoh of Egypt already in the 14th century BC. After the end of the Lebanese Civil War, Beirut came to life and became a modern tourist attraction.
Built in the southern part of Turkey, near the border with Syria, Gaziantep dates back to the time of the Hittites. The fortress Ravanda was restored by the Byzantines in the 6th century and is located in the center of the city, where ancient Roman mosaics were discovered.
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 famous for many ancient monuments, including the Roman amphitheater and aqueduct, as well as the Ottoman bath.
About 25 miles south of Beirut lies Sidon, one of the most important and perhaps the oldest Phoenician cities. It was the foundation from which the Mediterranean empire of the Phoenicians grew. Both Jesus and Saint Paul, according to legend, visited Saida, as did Alexander the Great, who captured the city in 333 BC.
Fayum (El Fayum) is located southwest of Cairo, and most of it is Crocodilopolis, an ancient Egyptian city that worshiped Petsucho, the sacred crocodile. The modern city has several large bazaars, mosques and baths; nearby are the Lehin and Khavara pyramids.
Susa was the capital of the Elamite Empire until it was captured by the Assyrians. It was the subordination of the Achaemenid Persians to 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 seatsthe two ancient cities were divided between themselves approximately 4300 BC.
There are some sources that Damascus is the oldest 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 ruled by Alexander the Great, Rome, Arabs and 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 in about 4300 BC. The city was under the control of the Hittites, then as part of the Assyrian, Greek and Persian empires. Later it was captured by the Romans, the Byzantines by the Arabs, was 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 ancient Phoenician temples, the castle of St. John the Baptist and the medieval city wall.
The oldest city inhabited at the moment. Archaeologists have discovered the remains of a settlement dating back to 11000 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! Basta, little kids, the dancing is over :)
Any city has its own history of creation, but not each of them can boast of a centuries-old existence. Some of the settlements that exist today were formed a very long time ago. The age of many cities has been established with the help of archaeological and historical researchers, according to the conclusions of which the approximate time of appearance is indicated. Based on these data, a rating was compiled: the oldest cities in the world, where the most ancient urban settlements of our planet are considered.
10.
This city is known to many residents of all countries, as it contains the holy places of Jews, Christians and Muslims. It is also called the city of the world and the city of three religions. The first traces of a person on the territory of Jerusalem appeared already in 2800 BC. e., therefore, it can rightfully be considered one of the oldest cities in the world.
Throughout its history, Jerusalem has gone through numerous wars, two times they tried to completely destroy it, but to this day it pleases us with its grandeur and beauty and gladly welcomes pilgrims from all over the world. In Jerusalem, centuries-old traditions of different peoples are amazingly mixed, which is expressed in historical monuments, the culture of local residents and in unique architecture.
9.
Beirut ranks 9th in the ranking of the oldest cities in the world. According to various sources, the city appeared in 3000-5000 years BC. NS. During its existence, Beirut was repeatedly destroyed, but it was always possible to restore it.
On the territory of the Lebanese capital, excavations have been carried out several times, during which various artifacts belonging to the Phoenician, Ottoman, Roman and many other ethnic communities have been found. According to research, written records of Beirut date back to the 14th century BC. NS. Now the city is the tourist center of Lebanon. Its population is 361,000.
8.
Gaziantep is one of the oldest cities in Turkey and around the world. It is located close to the Syrian border. Its settlement took place in 3650 BC. NS. Until 1921, the city had a different name - Antep, after which the title "gazi" was added to it, which means brave. In ancient times, crusades passed through the city, and in 1183, during the Ottoman Empire, mosques and inns began to be built in Gaziantep, later it became a trade center.
The modern city is inhabited by Turks, Arabs and Kurds, their approximate number is 850,000 people. Every year Gaziantep is visited by crowds of tourists from different countries. There is something to see here: the ruins of ancient cities, museums, bridges and other unique sights.
7.
The first settlements in the Bulgarian city of Plovdiv appeared in 4000 BC. NS. According to some reports, it is the oldest city in Europe, so it was given the 7th line in the ranking of the oldest cities in the world. In 342 BC. NS. Plovdiv had a different name - Odris. This name can be seen on old bronze coins.
In the 6th century, the city was under the control of the Slavic tribes, later it became part of the Bulgarian kingdom and was renamed Pyldin. During its subsequent history, the city several times fell under the rule of the Byzantines and returned again to the Bulgarians. In 1364 Plovdiv was captured by the Ottomans. The modern city is famous for a large number of historical architectural monuments and other attractions known far beyond the borders of Bulgaria.
6.
This Egyptian city appeared in about 4000 BC. NS. It is located on the territory of another ancient city of Crocodilopolis, southwest of Cairo. The fact that it is one of the oldest cities in the world is evidenced by excavations, which confirm the visit of the city by the pharaohs of the 12th dynasty. In those days, the city was called Shedet, which means the sea.
Currently, El Fayyum is flooded with numerous markets, bazaars and mosques. The city has an unusual infrastructure with various attractions. Rose oil is produced here, exotic fruits and cereals are grown.
5.
The oldest city in Lebanon began its existence in 4000 BC. NS. It is located 40 km from the capital. According to historical data, it is known that Jesus and the Apostle Paul visited him. In the days of the Phoenicians, it was the largest trade center in the Mediterranean. A seaport built in the Phoenician era has survived to this day.
Sidon was a member of various states and empires many times. It was considered one of the most impregnable cities. Now about 200,000 people live here.
4.
The very first settlements in Susa appeared in 4200 BC. e., the city is mentioned in the ancient Sumerian annals, as well as in the Old Testament and other sacred writings. The city had the status of the capital of the Elamite Empire until it was captured by the Assyrians. In 668, a battle took place, during which the city was plundered and burned. After ten years, the Elamite Empire disappeared.
One of the most ancient cities of Susa suffered bloody massacres and destruction many times, but each time it was rebuilt anew. Currently, the city of Susa is called Shush, its population is about 65 thousand people, mostly Muslims and Jews.
3.
The three oldest cities in the world include Byblos, not known as Jebeil. This Lebanese city was founded in the 4-5 millennium BC. NS. It was built by the Phoenicians and named Gebal. On its territory there are many Phoenician shrines, as well as the Church of Ion the Baptist. The ancient Greeks began to call the city a biblios, who visited the city and acquired papyrus here. In ancient times, Biblios was the largest port.
The biblical writings have not been translated, they still remain a mystery left by the ancient city. They bear no resemblance to any of the writing systems of that time.
2.
The second position is occupied by the ancient city of Damascus. The first mention of it dates back to the 15th century BC. NS. During this period of time, the Egyptian pharaohs ruled here. Later, the city was the center of the Damascus kingdom. During the rest of its existence, Damascus has repeatedly become part of different states and empires. It is known that the Apostle Paul visited Damascus, and then the first Christians appeared here.
Damascus is currently the cultural capital and the second largest Syrian city, home to more than 1.5 million people.
1.
The top of the pedestal rightfully belongs to the oldest city in the world - Jericho. Historians have discovered on its territory the remains of ancient settlements, which settled here as early as 9 millennia BC. NS. The city is located on the banks of the sacred Jordan River, it is known to many from the biblical writings.
Modern Jericho is a real living museum of ancient monuments. Here you can see the ruins left over from the palace of King Herod, visit the source of the holy prophet Elisha and visit various Orthodox shrines. At this time, its population is more than 20,000 people.
