Although these metropolises date back thousands of years, evidence of their glorious pasts is still visible to this day.
Words: Keeta Brennan
VARANASI
INDIA
Hindu pilgrims flock to the ghats in Varanasi, one of the holiest cities in India. It is believed that bathing in the sacred Ganges will wash away sins. Photo from Getty Images
Formerly known as Benares, Varanasi is India’s oldest city, with its earliest known settlement dating back to the 11th century BC. In the sixth century AD, Varanasi grew as a hub for trade, particularly in goods such as muslin, silk, ivory and crafts. Varanasi sits majestically on the banks of the holy Ganges River and is alive with spirituality. Every year, thousands of Hindu and Jain devotees make a pilgrimage here, and Hindus believe that those who die within the city will attain moksha, emancipation from samsara, the endless cycle of death and rebirth. Upon the banks of the Ganges sit the often-photographed ghats, which lead down to the river and it’s quite common to see cremation ceremonies and cleansing rituals here. The city itself is a maze of galis (alleys), where crowds jostle for spices, textiles and flatbreads, as the sweet scent of incense fills the air.
SEOUL
SOUTH KOREA
Seoul’s Bukchon Hanok Village showcases dwellings that date back to the Joseon Dynasty. Photo from 123RF
Archaeological findings prove that humans have been living in and around the area known today as Seoul since the Palaeolithic Age. Early evidence suggests that the founding of the first city here dates back to 18BC, when the Kingdom of Baekje founded its capital city – Wiryeseong – within Seoul’s current city limits. In the 14th century, the Joseon Dynasty made Seoul its capital, and a formidable stone fortress was built around the city to protect its people and keep invaders out. Although most of the wall has been torn down, remnants of it can be seen throughout the city today, notably the South Gate called Namdaemun, now a famous district known for its 24-hour market. The late 19th century saw the modernisation of Seoul, and it became one of the first cities in East Asia to have modern facilities like electricity, piped water and telephone lines. In 1945, after World War II, Seoul became the official capital of South Korea. Today, Seoul is a bustling city that is a harmonious blend of culture and modernity.
ROME
ITALY
One of Rome’s most iconic structures, the Coliseum or Colosseum was once the venue for brutal gladiator fights. Photo from Getty Images
According to legend, Rome was founded by Romulus, the first of the seven Roman kings, in 753BC. Amongst Rome’s most famed icons is Julius Caesar (born in 100BC), a politician and general who achieved much greatness, and is considered one of the best military commanders of all time. The Roman Empire fell in AD476, and Rome only rose again as the capital of Italy in the late 19th century. Today, Rome is a cosmopolitan city radiating old-world charm, and it is also the epicentre of culture, arts and fashion. Almost every building in the city holds historical significance, and monuments like the Coliseum, Trevi Fountain and the Roman Forum tell tales of an ancient time when gladiators and emperors ruled. Rome is also of great spiritual importance, as it surrounds Vatican City, an independent city-state that is the pulse of Catholicism.
HANOI
VIETNAM
The central sector of the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2010. Photo from 123RF
Early evidence of human habitation in the area now known as Hanoi dates back to 3000BC, with historic evidence suggesting that through the centuries, the city was ruled by many different colonial powers, starting with the Chinese in 197BC. In 1010, Ly Thai To, the first ruler of China’s Ly Dynasty, named the city Thang Long, which means ‘ascending dragon’ in Sino-Vietnamese, after seeing what he described as a dragon ascending from the Red River that runs from Yunnan in China across Northern Vietnam and onwards to the Gulf of Tonkin. In 1831, the Nguyen Emperor, Minh Mang, named the city Hanoi, which means ‘between rivers’ in Sino-Vietnamese. In 1873, control over Hanoi was wrested by the French, and later, the Japanese, before once again falling into the hands of the French colonists in 1946. Finally, in 1954, Hanoi became the capital city of an independent North Vietnam state and in 1976, after the Vietnam War, Hanoi became the capital of a reunited North and South Vietnam. Today, the legacy of this ancient city’s rich colonial past is visible in its sumptuous cuisine from the banh mi (Vietnamese baguette with various fillings) to the banh paté (meat-filled puff pastry), as well as its architectural gems like St Joseph’s Cathedral and the Hanoi Opera House.
HANGZHOU
CHINA
The beauty of Hangzhou’s West Lake has been celebrated by poets, writers and artists for centuries. One of the best times to view the lake is in summer when lotus blossoms bloom. Photo from Hangzhou Tourism Commission
Although there’s proof that a community existed here for at least 5,000 years, Qiantang, as the city was formerly known, was only founded approximately 2,200 years ago, during the Qin Dynasty. In AD589, it was officially renamed Hangzhou, which means county of Hang. One of the seven ancient capitals of China, Hangzhou is the largest city in Zhejiang province and is also its capital. Strategically located on the shores of Hangzhou Bay, the coastline separating Shanghai and Ningbo, the city has managed to preserve much of its breathtaking natural beauty, earning the moniker, ‘Paradise on Earth’. In the mid-1800s, during the Qing Dynasty, a large number of mosques were erected in Hangzhou, making the city an important centre for Islam in China. Today, Hangzhou’s picturesque West Lake, with its pristine waters, offers visitors a chance to take a boat ride and revel in the remarkable history of this ancient kingdom as they pass hilltop pagodas and lush gardens.
LISBON
PORTUGAL
The sunshiny Portuguese capital is famed for its heritage monuments, old neighbourhoods and the lovely River Tagus, the longest waterway of the Iberian Peninsula, flowing through Portugal and Spain. Photo from Getty Images
First inhabited over 30,000 years ago, Lisbon is one of the world’s oldest cities. According to legend, famed Greek hero Ulysses named the city Ulissipo or enchanted port, a nod to its prime location at the mouth of the River Tagus. In 205BC, Lisbon came under Roman rule and was renamed Felicitas Julia before the Moors conquered it in the 8th century. In the 12th century, Christian crusaders gained power over the city and in the 15th century, Lisbon became the important port city from which the great explorer Vasco Da Gama set sail to India for the first time, opening up the first ocean route between Europe and Asia. Today, Lisbon is a melting pot of arts and culture, and its glorious history is still clearly visible in its architecture like the Museu do Teatro Romano (Roman Theatre Museum) and the Jeronimos Monastery.
ISTANBUL
TURKEY
The Galata Tower, which is believed to have been built in AD507, has played many functions throughout history: watchtower, prison and observatory. Today, this famous landmark offers panoramic views of the city. Photo from 123RF
Istanbul is the only city that spans two continents – Asia and Europe – and has been the capital of the Roman, Byzantine, Latin and the Ottoman empires. Each empire brought with it various cultural, religious and artistic influences that have left a permanent mark on the city. During the reign of the Ottomans, Istanbul thrived and the city was rejuvenated with the building of learning centres, hospitals, public baths, mosques and the Grand Bazaar, Istanbul’s largest and oldest covered market. After World War I, the Turkish War of Independence broke out, and in 1923, Istanbul became part of the Republic of Turkey. Today, it is still one of the world’s most mesmerising cities, with 1,000-year-old mosques and buildings, bustling bazaars and the breathtaking Bosporus Strait that flows through the heart of the city.
OSAKA
JAPAN
Since its construction in the 1580s, Osaka Castle has been damaged, destroyed, rebuilt, struck by lightning, and reconstructed once again. Today, the castle reveals a modern interior and houses an informative museum on the history of the building. Photo from 123RF
Osaka is a centre of commerce, and is famous for its great food. It first became a political and cultural centre for Japan in the 5th century, and by the 7th century, Osaka was established as the first capital of Japan. In 1583, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, a general and politician, built the magnificent Osaka Castle, making the city his base. This further cemented Osaka’s position as Japan’s economic and political centre. When the capital moved to Tokyo in the 17th century, Osaka remained a hub for trade and the distribution of goods, such as rice and fresh produce, earning it the title, Nation’s Kitchen. Today, Osaka is known far and wide for its culinary offerings, and is often hailed as the food capital of Japan, famous for delicacies such as okonomiyaki (Japanese pancake), takoyaki (piping-hot octopus dumplings) and udon noodles, as well as fine sake (rice wine).
RICH HISTORICAL LANDS
THEBES
Greece
Today, Thebes is a small town known for its markets but it was once one of the most powerful cities in ancient Greece, the largest city in the region of Boeotia and a great rival of Athens.
ZAGREB
Croatia
The city’s history dates back to the 1st century with the urban Roman settlement of Andautonia. It was officially named Zagreb in 1904 and became the capital of Croatia in 1945. Today, it is the country’s biggest city and is best known for its Austro-Hungarian architecture, medieval castles and the majestic Zagreb Cathedral.
TRIER
Germany
Arguably the oldest city in Germany, the Romans established Trier in the 1st century BC, and by the 4th century, it had become one of the largest cities in the world. Today, it houses many important historical sites such as the Porta Nigra, a Roman city gate completed in AD200 and the 4th century Basilica of Constantine.
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