Sometimes it happens like this: you come to the city, and it literally smells of antiquity. Every wall, every stone, every window in each house literally rings with the desire to tell its story. Also they have seen a lot: if the stone could talk, it would tell us the secrets of past centuries for a long time and excitingly.
It's a pity that most often only ruins remain of such cities, and the glorious past is hidden by the sands of time - but not always. There are also cities that survived and managed to preserve their appearance now.
Jerusalem, Israel
Jerusalem is a true cradle of civilizations, where history, culture and religion merge into a single whole. If you want to recharge your "internal batteries", then Jerusalem is exactly the place where you can enrich yourself spiritually and get a powerful charge of energy.
Every building here seems to breathe history: the melting pot of cultures and the intersection of religions such as Christianity, Islam, and Judaism have left indelible marks. The city keeps centuries-old stories, amazing the imagination and make you think about the eternal. Here, in every stone, in every alley, legends are hidden, which formed the basis of our civilization.
The Old Town is the heart and soul of this amazing place. Divided into four quarters, Jewish, Christian, Muslim and Armenian, it immerses travelers in a world where different cultures and traditions intersect. Each of these parts has features and attractions that are definitely worth a visit.
Among the iconic places of the Old City, it is worth noting such shrines as the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Western Wall. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre, which, according to Christian beliefs, was erected on the site of the crucifixion and burial of Jesus Christ, also attracting pilgrims from all over the world. Finally, the Temple Mount as such is revered by all three world religions.
Jericho, Palestine
Jericho is considered one of the oldest cities in the world. Here, on the banks of the Jordan River, archaeologists have discovered traces of human habitation that were left in 9000 B.C. This place is full of antiquity: history literally comes to life before your eyes, a real open-air museum, where every detail sheds light on the life of ancient civilizations.
One of the most famous places in Jericho is the Hill of Tell es-Sultan, which houses the oldest ruins of the city. This place existed even before the invention of pottery, making it especially significant for archaeologists and historians. At least eight cultural layers have been discovered at the site, which testifies to the rich history and importance of the city in antiquity.
Jericho is also closely associated with many biblical and evangelical stories, such as the Mount of Temptation, where Jesus is said to have spent 40 days and nights resisting the temptations of the devil. This place is considered a special energy center, and many pilgrims come here to feel its power and strength.
Finally, from Jericho, it is easy to reach the resorts on the Dead Sea, where you can enjoy the healing mud and mineral waters.
Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Founded around 4000 BC, Plovdiv is considered the oldest continuously inhabited city on the continent, bypassing even famous cities such as Athens and Rome. This city in the Balkans, located on seven hills, captivates travelers with a rich history that goes back to ancient times, stretching through many eras and civilizations: from the Thracians to the Romans, Byzantines and Ottomans. Each of them has left its mark, creating a cultural heritage that can be explored endlessly. The city is literally imbued with the spirit of antiquity, and every street, each building tells its own stories.
The main attraction of Plovdiv is the magnificent Roman amphitheater, which has been preserved in excellent condition and is still used for concerts and theatrical performances. This impressive structure, which can accommodate about 6,000 spectators, allows you to immerse into the atmosphere of ancient times and enjoy the acoustics, for which the structure was created.
Here you will also find many other Roman buildings, such as ancient baths and an arena, reminiscent of the times when the city was an important center of the Roman Empire. These architectural monuments are an integral part of the urban environment and give Plovdiv a special charm.
In addition to the Roman heritage, it is worth paying attention to the Bachkovo Monastery, located near the city: it is the second largest monastery in Bulgaria, attracting pilgrims and tourists with ancient frescoes and icons. The Ethnographic and Archaeological Museums of Plovdiv have extensive collections that tell the story of the rich history and culture of the region.
Beirut, Lebanon
Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, is known as the "Paris of the Middle East" due to its rich history and distinctive culture, shaped by many peoples and civilizations. Founded around 3000 BC, the city has gone through many eras, surviving the influence of the Phoenicians, Romans, Arabs, Turks and French. Each of these peoples has left its mark on architecture, art and culture, and today all this together creates a unique flavor, attracting tourists from all over the world.
Beirut is a city where East meets West, and this is reflected in everything from architecture to cuisine. There are oriental bazaars with their bright colors and aromas, where you can buy spices, fabrics and handicrafts, as well as modern shopping centers and restaurants offering exquisite international cuisine.
Susa, Iran
Susa is an ancient city, historically known as one of the oldest and most majestic centers of the ancient world. This city, located in the southwestern part of present-day Iran, was inhabited as early as 5500 B.C. Susa was once an important cultural and political center of the Elamite civilization and later became the capital of the Persian Empire.
Every king of Persia, since the Elamite era, has sought to make a mark here by erecting magnificent palaces and temples that were supposed to emphasize the power and grandeur of his rule. Among the most significant archaeological finds in Susa are the ruins of the palaces of Darius I and Artaxerxes II, which impress with their monumentality and architectural complexity. These palaces were not only the residences of kings, but also the centers of political and cultural life of the Persian Empire.
An important monument is the Apadana, a huge audience hall built by order of Darius I. This majestic structure with columns reaching a height of more than 20 meters impresses with its size and architectural sophistication. Here the rulers received ambassadors and guests from different parts of the world, which emphasized the power of the Persian state.
Athens, Greece
A real cradle of European civilization, a place where ideas were born that changed the world forever. Founded around 1400 BC, Athens is one of the oldest cities in Europe, which for centuries has remained the center of cultural and intellectual life.
The main "feature" of the city is their ancient history and those valuable achievements of the Hellenic civilization that continue to influence the modern world. There are more than 200 museums and galleries in Athens that tell about the history, art and culture of ancient Greece. The Acropolis, the temples of Zeus and Hephaestus, the Theater of Dionysus and the Library of Hadrian - all these attractions are monuments of architecture and history that allow you to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of antiquity and touch the great achievements of the past.
One of the most recognizable and emblematic landmarks of Athens is the Parthenon, a majestic temple dedicated to the goddess Athena, which rises at the top of the Acropolis. This architectural masterpiece has become the hallmark of Greece and a symbol of ancient Greek culture and art. Its graceful columns and sculptural reliefs, despite the destruction and time, still impress and attract millions of tourists from all over the world.
