As the famous adage goes, old is gold. Whether it's intriguing history, beautiful architecture or the imprints of human civilisation, every city in the world has a story to unfold. Let’s take a look at the oldest cities in the world:
5 of the oldest cities in the world
Faiyum, Egypt
The oldest city in Egypt and one of the oldest in Africa, Faiyum was founded around 4000 BC. The modern city was an arid desert basin until the Nile River silted up and diverted water to the area which, in turn, attracted life to the region. The city is partly located in an area that was once the ancient city of Crocodilopolis, whose inhabitants worshipped a sacred crocodile named Petsuchos. You can still see markers of the site of The Crocodile City today.
Luxor, Egypt
Luxor, which is also known as the ancient city of Thebes, is a town in Egypt dating back to 3200 BC. Often referred to as the largest open-air museum in the world because of its abundance of temple ruins, tombs and other ancient museums, Luxor was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979. In recent years, it has undergone regeneration to make it more convenient for tourists, after all, its location on the Nile River makes it a popular port on many Nile River cruises.
Argos, Greece
Situated in the Peloponnese, Greece, Argos is one of Europe’s oldest continuously inhabited cities. It has been an urban settlement for the last 7,000 years, remaining neutral throughout history. It did not participate in the Greco-Persian wars, which is potentially why much of its architecture stands today. According to Greek mythology, Argos got its name from Argus, the son of Niobe and Zues.
Athens, Greece
As Greece's capital and largest city, Athens is the birthplace of western civilisation and philosophy. The city has been continually inhabited since 5000 BC and archaeological explorations estimate the earliest settlement began in the 11th millennium. The Acropolis is one of Athens’ most iconic landmarks and it remains the heart of tourism as travellers seek to experience its unique culture and history.
Varanasi, India
Varanasi is the oldest city in India and the birthplace of the oldest religion in the world, Hinduism. Located on the banks of the Ganges River, India’s spiritual capital has been a centre of learning and culture for over 3,000 years, drawing Hindu pilgrims and tourists from all across the world. There are some 2,000 temples, including Kashi Vishwanath, the Golden Temple, which is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva.
