Several of the towns in Europe have been inhabited for thousands of years, and their history has been well-researched and chronicled. All of the cities on this list, which have played significant roles as economic, political, and cultural hubs at various points in time, share this quality. These cities are among the most well-liked tourist attractions in the world and are home to historical sites and artifacts left behind by their former rulers.
Top 10: Chania
One of Crete’s most significant cities, Chania, was the location of a Minoan settlement known to the Greeks as Kydonia (or Cydonia). Nowadays, Chania is home to several architectural relics from this era. In addition to the Greeks, Chania was ruled by the Byzantines, Arabs, Venetians, Ottomans, and Arabs.
Top 9: Mantua
Mantua is famous for being one of the crown jewels of the Italian Renaissance and for having ties to the aristocratic Gonzaga family, who dominated the city for several decades. Mantua, on the other hand, is one of the oldest cities in Italy and has existed at least since 2000 BCE.
Mantua was a major center for Italian art, culture, and music during its heyday. Moreover, L’Orfeo by Claudio Monteverdi, the oldest opera that is still routinely performed, was written for the Court of Mantua in the early 17th century, making Mantua the birthplace of opera. Mantua was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its historical significance to culture and art.
Top 8: Nicosia
Despite having been a settlement since at least 2500 BCE, Nicosia has only been the capital of Cyprus since the tenth century CE. The only Bronze Age settlement in Cyprus that has endured to the present is this one. Nicosia, like every other ancient city on this list, has been inhabited by a variety of diverse people over the years.
While the city is divided in half and occupied by the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities, Nicosia still experiences some strife today. The capital of the internationally recognized Republic of Cyprus is, technically speaking, Nicosia. Nonetheless, Nicosia also acts as the capital of Northern Cyprus, which is regarded as occupied territory by the rest of the world and is only recognized by Turkey.
Top 7: Thebes
Thebes is one of Greece’s most important historic cities, along with Athens. Thebes has been inhabited since roughly 3000 BCE and is roughly as old as Athens. In addition to having a true Greek past, Thebes served as the backdrop for numerous Greek myths, such as those involving Cadmus, Oedipus, Dionysus, Heracles (Hercules), and many others.
Thebes was a powerful city in antiquity, competing with Athens. Early in the fourth century, when it was Greece’s most powerful metropolis, Thebes reached its zenith. Although this domination was short-lived, Thebes is now a considerably more tranquil city than bustling Athens.
Top 6: Athens
Unquestionably, Athens is the oldest ancient city in Greece and one of the most significant towns in all of Western history. It is regarded as the origin of democracy and the cradle of Western culture. Athens has been continually inhabited for more than 5,000 years and, by 1400 BCE, had grown to be a significant hub of the Mycenaean civilization.
Despite several changes, Athens has remained a sizable metropolis that is at the center of Greece’s political, economic, industrial, maritime, and cultural life. Athens is one of the most visited cities in the world and is also the location of numerous historical landmarks.
- Read more Top 10 Most Visited Cities in Europe
Top 5: Varna
Due to its advantageous location on the Black Sea coast of Bulgaria, Varna has traditionally been a significant port city. People have lived in Varna since the prehistoric era, just like in a handful of the other towns in the area.
When Varna was first founded by the Thracians as a beach hamlet, it eventually developed into a significant metropolitan hub. Varna has now become a significant center for commerce, transportation, instruction, tourism, entertainment, and healthcare. The Bulgarian Navy and commercial marine have their headquarters in Varna, which is also the country’s maritime capital.
Top 4: Bratislava
Slovakia’s capital city, Bratislava, is technically the youngest in Europe because of the country’s history of being ruled by other countries, most notably the Soviet Union. Yet, Bratislava’s history predates Slovakia’s 1993 formation by a significant amount. A permanent Neolithic settlement existed in Bratislava circa 5000 BCE, similar to some of the other cities on this list.
Over the years, Austrians, Bulgarians, Croats, Germans, Hungarians, Jews, Serbs, Czechs, and Slovaks all invaded and affected Bratislava. Bratislava has a lengthy history, making it one of the richest areas in the EU.
Top 3: Nitra
Nitra, one of the oldest cities in Slovakia, along with Bratislava, has been continually inhabited since the Neolithic era (5,000 to 7,000 years ago). Nitra is actually regarded as the oldest city in Slovakia. Archaeological findings even imply that people may have intermittently resided in the region of Nitra as far ago as 30,000–25,000 years ago.
Nitra has been home to a variety of ethnic groups since the first Slavs moved there in the fifth century CE. Nitra has fluctuated in significance over time, and today it serves as the administrative and political hub of the Nitra District.
Top 2: Argos
Greece as a whole has a lengthy history, but Argos, one of the earliest polis or city-states in Ancient Greece, has a past that dates much further back. Evidence of a late Neolithic hamlet near the base of Aspida Hill demonstrates that the Region has been continually occupied from at least 5000 BCE.
In the Late Bronze Age, Argos developed into a significant Mycenaean village, and it remained a significant city during the Greek, Hellenistic, and Roman eras. In the fourth century CE, the Visigoths plundered and devastated Argos, yet people continued to reside there. Argos is now a significant city in southern Greece.
Top 1: Plovdiv
Plovdiv is the oldest city in Europe and has been inhabited continuously since at least 6000 BCE. Archaeological relics may be found everywhere across Plovdiv, demonstrating that the region has been inhabited for more than 8,000 years.
Thracians, Macedonians, Romans, Byzantines, Ottoman Turks, Persians, Slavs, Huns, Celts, and Bulgarians are just a few of the numerous groups who have conquered the city during its lengthy history. Each of these groups had an enduring influence on Plovdiv, which was and continues to be a significant center for culture, commerce, education, and transportation.
