The most ancient city in the world reports. The most ancient cities What is the oldest city in Russia

Not all cities were lucky enough to keep their original appearance. In difficult times of wars and conquests, many cities were destroyed and then rebuilt, so only a few buildings managed to "survive" to our times. Yet there are majestic cities that can rightfully bear the proud title of "the oldest city in the world."

Jericho (Palestine)

The mention of the first settlements on the site of modern Jericho dates back to 9000 BC. Three millennia later, the city began to actively rebuild and already at the turn of the 3rd and 2nd millennium reached the peak of its development. Several times it was destroyed, one of which was mentioned in the Bible.

It was a majestic city, in which houses were built of brick and stone. Archaeologists have discovered here the ruins of an ancient synagogue dating back to the 1st century BC, magnificent winter palaces with baths, pools and richly decorated halls. Not far from Jericho rises Mount Karantal, on which, according to legend, Jesus was tempted by the devil for forty days. Now in that place there is a majestic monastery of Temptation carved into the rocks.

Damascus (Syria)

Another most ancient city is Damascus, the first mention of which appeared in the middle of the 2nd millennium BC. Due to the fact that in ancient times Damascus was under the rule of the Egyptians, Israelis, Assyrians, Persians and even, this ancient city absorbed the culture of these peoples.

He became famous for his Damascus steel, which was popular in medieval Europe. Today you can see the ruins of the ancient gates of the fortress, protecting the city from raids, Catholic churches, temples, mosques, old houses, which are the most important monuments of Damascus culture and history.

Susa (Iran)

The first mention of the ancient city of Susa (modern Shush) dates back to the 7th-4th millennium BC. It was the ancient Sumerian capital of the state of Elam. In 668 B.C. The Babylonians burned Susa, and after 10 years the state of Elam ceased to exist. The Persians rebuilt the city, rebuilding and expanding the stately palaces, and making Susa their capital.

In our era, the city was plundered and destroyed by Muslims and Mongols, so few monuments of that period have come down to us. Only the French archaeological expedition, which excavated the ancient city, left the most significant attraction - the French fortress, built in the 19th century to protect the members of the expedition and protect the finds.

Derbent (Dagestan)

Russia also has the oldest city, and it was founded in 438 AD, although the first mention of settlements dates back to the end of the 4th millennium BC. From different languages, its name is translated as "closed gate", "stone", "wall". And this is no coincidence - due to the frequent raids of nomads, Derbent has become a reliable fortress. Since the Great Silk Road passed through the city, it was of great commercial importance, and at one time many nations wanted to conquer it. It was under the control of the Persians, Arabs, Iranians, and only in 1813 began to belong to Russia.

The main attractions of Derbent are its fortress with many gates, the Juma mosque, the oldest in Russia, the Naryn-Kala fortress and the Derbent tunnel, which is 318 meters long.

Plovdiv (Bulgaria)

The oldest city in Bulgaria was known as early as the 6th millennium BC. In 72 B.C. came under Roman rule and was rapidly developed. The influence of Rome has brought to our times the Roman buildings of that time - the amphitheater, the baths and the hippodrome. In the VI century, they began to belong to the Bulgarians (Slavic tribe), then Byzantium, and in 1364 it was captured by the Ottoman Empire.

Plovdiv is now the second largest city in Bulgaria. The rich history of the city has left many wonderful sights that characterize a particular culture. Here you can see ancient Roman buildings, mosques, and a Thracian fortress.

Jerusalem (Israel)

This city has a rich history associated with conquests and biblical legends. Founded in the 4th millennium BC Jerusalem has a sacred meaning for millions of people. Many biblical events are associated with it, including the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. His story is truly amazing and extensive. Here are the shrines of Christianity, Judaism and Islam, and thousands of pilgrims come to Jerusalem every year to remember their saints and pray.

The most famous sights of Jerusalem are the Wailing Wall, the mosque on the Temple Mount and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher.

Athens, Greece)

The first mention of the ancient capital of Greece dates back to the 15th century BC. It reached its peak of development in 500-300 BC. and rightly bears the name of the cradle of Greek culture. It became the birthplace of many famous ancient Greek historians, geographers, poets and philosophers. There are still preserved monuments of ancient history, such as the Acropolis, the Athenian Agora, the Temple of Hephaestus and the Temple of Olympian Zeus, etc.

This is only an incomplete list of the most ancient cities. There are still cities in the world that have such an old history that one can only guess about their origin and foundation from the few documents that have come down to us. They are priceless because they saw the change of eras and civilizations, and even despite the ruins, their greatness will never sink into oblivion.

Russia is an ancient country. And on its territory there are many cities whose age has exceeded a thousand years. The historical and cultural heritage that they have preserved is an invaluable gift from generations that have already gone to future generations.

We present you the oldest cities in Russia.

10. Vladimir - 1027 years

The official date of foundation of one of the cities that now make up the Golden Ring of Russia is 990. And the founder is Prince Vladimir Svyatoslavich.

Under the leadership of Vladimir Monomakh and Yuri Dolgoruky, the city became an important stronghold for the defense of the Rostov-Suzdal Principality. And under Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky, Vladimir became the capital of the principality.

During the Tatar raids (1238 and later), the city surprisingly did not suffer much. Even the Golden Gate has survived to this day, although in a somewhat different form from its original form.

On the territory of Vladimir there is the Vladimirsky Central prison, praised by Mikhail Krug, built under Catherine II. It contained such famous personalities as Vasily Stalin, son of Joseph Stalin, Mikhail Frunze and dissident Julius Daniel.

9. Bryansk -1032 years

It is not known exactly when the city of Bryansk arose. The approximate date of its foundation is 985.

In 1607, the city was burned down so that False Dmitry II would not get it. It was rebuilt and for the second time survived the siege of the Tushinsky Thief troops.

In the 17th century Bryansk was one of the most important trade centers in Russia. And now it is an important industrial center of the country.

8. Pskov - 1114 years

The date of foundation of Pskov is considered to be 903, when the city was first mentioned in the Laurentian Chronicle. Olga, the first Christian princess in Russia and the wife of the Kyiv prince Igor Rurikovich, is from Pskov.

For a long time Pskov was one of the largest cities in Europe and was an impenetrable barrier on the western borders of the country.

And in March 1917, while at the Pskov station, the last Russian Emperor Nicholas II abdicated and became simply a Romanov citizen.

7. Smolensk - 1154

In September, beautiful and ancient Smolensk will celebrate its anniversary - 1155 years since its founding. It is only one year behind its closest rival in terms of being mentioned in the annals (863 versus 862 for Murom).

For many centuries, this "key city" protected Moscow from the encroachments of a number of European countries. During the Time of Troubles, the inhabitants of Smolensk heroically kept the siege in the fortress, which was besieged by Polish troops, for 20 months. Although the Poles still managed to take the city, King Sigismund III, who spent all the money on the siege, had to abandon the idea of ​​\u200b\u200bgoing to Moscow. And the Moscow garrison of the Poles, which did not receive military assistance, surrendered to the Russian militia under the leadership of Dmitry Pozharsky and Kuzma Minin.

6. Murom - 1155 years

This small town, standing on the left bank of the Oka, is mentioned in The Tale of Bygone Years. Its name, presumably, came from the Muroma tribe, although historians do not exclude the reverse relationship. One of the main characters of the Russian epic epic, the legendary hero Ilya Muromets, originally from the city of Murom. The townspeople are proud of this and even erected a monument to the hero in the city park.

5. Rostov the Great - 1156 years

Rostov, the current center of the Yaroslavl region, has been conducting its official chronology since 862. After its foundation, the city became one of the most important settlements of the Rostov-Suzdal land. And the prefix "Great" appeared to him thanks to the "Ipatiev Chronicle". In it, when describing the events of 1151 (the victory of Prince Izyaslav Mstislavich over Yuri Dolgoruky), Rostov was called the Great.

4. Veliky Novgorod - 1158 years

In early June 2018, Veliky Novgorod will celebrate the 1159th anniversary of its founding. Here, according to the official version, Rurik was called to reign. And in 1136 Novgorod became the first free republic in the history of feudal Russia. The city escaped the fate of many Russian cities and was not affected by the Mongol invasion. Precious architectural monuments of Russia of the pre-Mongolian period have been preserved in it to this day.

3. Staraya Ladoga - over 1250 years old

In 2003, the village of Staraya Ladoga celebrated its 1250th anniversary. Until 1703, the settlement was called "Ladoga" and had the status of a city. The first mention of Ladoga dates back to 862 AD (the time of the calling for the reign of the Varangian Rurik). There is even a version that Ladoga is the first capital of Russia, because in it, and not in Novgorod, Rurik reigned.

2. Derbent - over 2000 years old

If you conduct a survey about which is the oldest city in Russia, then most educated people will name Derbent as such. This sun-drenched city, the southernmost in Russia, located in the Republic of Dagestan, officially celebrated its 2000th anniversary in September 2015. However, many Derbent residents, as well as some scientists conducting excavations on the territory of Derbent, are sure that the city is 3,000 years older.

The Caspian Gates - namely, the ancient name of Derbent - as a geographical object is mentioned as early as the 6th century. don. e. in the writings of the ancient Greek geographer Hecateus of Miletus. And the beginning of the modern city was laid in 438 AD. e. Then Derbent was the Persian fortress of Naryn-Kala, with two fortress walls blocking the way along the coast of the Caspian Sea. And the earliest mention of Derbent as a stone city was in 568 AD or the 37th year of the reign of Shah Khosrov I Anushirvan.

The date of 2000 years is not exact, but more of an anniversary, and refers to the time of the appearance of the first fortifications in Caucasian Albania.

Until 2014, when the Crimean peninsula returned to Russia, Derbent held the title of the oldest Russian city. However, in 2017, Rambler / Saturday media reported that The Scientific Council of the Institute of Archeology of the Russian Academy of Sciences recognized Kerch as the most ancient city in Russia. On the territory of the city, the ruins of the ancient Greek colony of Panticapaeum have been preserved. Historically, Kerch is the heiress of Panticapaeum and its age has exceeded 2600 years.

According to archaeological research, the foundation of Kerch refers to the time range from 610 to 590 BC. e. On its territory, historical and architectural monuments belonging to different eras have been preserved. Among them are: mounds with burials of the Bronze Age, the ruins of the city of Nymphaeum, the settlement of Mirmekiy, etc.

Far from immediately, Kerch received its current name, after Panticapaeum ceased to be the historical and cultural center of the Black Sea region.

• In the 8th century, the city came under the rule of the Khazar Khaganate and was renamed from Panticapaeum to Karsha or Charsha.
• In the 10th century, the Northern Black Sea region came under the control of the Rus. The Tmutarakan principality appeared, which also included the city of Karsha, called Korchev. It was one of the most important sea gates of Kievan Rus.
• In the 12th century, Korchevo came under the rule of Byzantium, and in the 14th century it became part of the Black Sea Genoese colonies, and was called Vospro, as well as Cherkio. The local inhabitants have preserved the name Korchev in everyday life.
• In the 15th century, the merchant and diplomat Josaphat Barbaro named the city Chersh (Kersh) in one of the chapters of his essay “Journey to Tanu”.
• In 1475 the Turks took over the Genoese colonies and Cerchio became part of the Ottoman Empire. The city began to be called Cherzeti. He repeatedly suffered from the raids of the Zaporozhye Cossacks.
• In the 16th century, the ambassadors of the Moscow tsars, going to the Crimean Khan, knew the city as "Kerch".
• In 1774, Kerch (already under its final name) became part of the Russian Empire. This happened as a result of the Russian-Turkish war of 1768-1774.

In order for Kerch to officially top the list of the oldest cities in Russia, it is necessary to obtain the approval of the Presidium of the Russian Academy of Sciences and the Russian government. The management of the East Crimean Reserve prepared the relevant documents last year.

The list of the oldest cities in the world includes settlements in which people have constantly lived from ancient times to the present day. It is quite difficult to determine which of them appeared earlier, since it is customary in scientific circles to distinguish between the concepts of “urban-type settlement” and “city”.

For example, Byblos was already inhabited in the 17th century. BC e., but received the status of a city only in the III century. BC e. For this reason, there is no single point of view on the question of whether it can be considered the oldest in the world. In the same ambiguous position are Jericho and Damascus.

In addition to the top three, there are other ancient cities in the world. They are located in all corners of the world.

The most ancient cities of East Asia

The most ancient cities of East Asia, Beijing and Xi'an, are located in China. This country rightfully belongs to the most ancient civilizations in the world. There are practically no dark spots in its history, since it is recorded in written sources, so it is relatively easy to establish the dates of the founding of settlements.

Beijing

Beijing is the capital and largest political, educational and cultural center of the People's Republic of China. Its original name is literally translated into Russian as "Northern Capital". This phrase corresponds to the status of the city and its location today.

The first cities in the area of ​​modern Beijing appeared in the 1st century BC. BC e. First, the capital of the kingdom of Yan - Ji (473-221 BC) was located there, then the Liao empire established its southern capital - Nanjing (938) on this site. In 1125, the city passed into the administration of the Jurchen Empire Jin and was named Zhongdu.

In the XIII century, after the Mongols burned the settlement, and it was rebuilt, the city received two names at once: "Dadu" and "Khanbalik". The first is in Chinese, the second is in Mongolian. It is the second option that is reflected in the notes of Marco Polo, which remained after his trip to China.

Beijing received its modern name only in 1421. Historians believe that in the period from the 4th to the beginning of the 19th century. it was one of the largest cities in the world. During this time, it was repeatedly destroyed and rebuilt, deprived of the status of the capital, and then returned to it. Empires also changed, under whose possession the old settlement fell, but people continued to live there.

At present, the population of Beijing is almost 22 million people. 95% of them are native Chinese, the remaining 5% are Mongols, Chuer, Hui. This number includes only people who have a residence permit in the city, but there are also those who came to work. The official language here is Chinese.

The city is considered a cultural and educational center. There are many architectural monuments, museums, parks and gardens. There are more than 50 higher educational institutions, within the walls of which Russian citizens also receive education. Nightlife lovers will also not be bored - in the capital of China there are several areas with popular night bars.

Top attractions in Beijing:

Interesting facts about the capital of China:

• The government spent $44 billion to prepare for the 2008 Olympic Games. To date, this is the world's largest expenditure on a sporting event.
• There are 980 buildings on the territory of the Forbidden City, according to researchers, all of them are divided into 9999 rooms.
• The Beijing subway is considered the 2nd longest in the world.

The northern capital of China does not claim to be the most ancient city in the world, but the history of its formation is still of interest to scientists.

Xi'an

Xi'an is a city in the People's Republic of China located in Shaanxi Province. He is over 3 thousand years old. For some time it was considered one of the largest in the world in terms of area and number of inhabitants.

In the II century. BC e. The Great Silk Road ran through the city. At that time, it was called "Chang'an", which translates as "long peace."

Like Beijing, the city was destroyed several times during wartime, and then rebuilt again. The name has also changed several times. The modern version took hold in 1370.

According to 2006 data, more than 7 million people live in Xi'an. By government decree in 1990, the city was transformed into a cultural, educational and industrial center. Here is the largest aircraft manufacturing center.

Attractions in Xi'an:

Interesting facts about the capital of Shaanxi Province:

• Xi'an remained the capital of China during 13 consecutive imperial dynasties. This is the longest time.
• Here is the city wall, which is more than 3 thousand years old. For such a period, it is quite well preserved.
• During the reign of the Tang Dynasty (7th-9th centuries), the city was the most populated in the world.

Xi'an has long ceased to be the actual capital of the PRC, but thanks to its rich history spanning several centuries, it continues to be the main cultural center.

The oldest cities in the Middle East

There are three ancient cities in the Middle East at once: Balkh, Luxor and El Fayoum. The researchers came to the conclusion that all of them were founded no earlier than the 1st century BC. BC e. They are of interest both from a historical and cultural point of view.

Balkh

Balkh is a city located in the province of the same name in Pakistan. It is believed that it was founded in 1500 BC. e. during the resettlement of Indo-Iranians from the Amu Darya region.

During the heyday of the Silk Road, its population reached 1 million, now this figure has significantly decreased. According to 2006 data, only 77 thousand people live in the city.

Until the beginning of the Hellenistic era, the city was considered the largest spiritual center. According to legend, it was there that Zarathustra, the founder of Zoroastrianism, one of the oldest religious teachings in the world, was born.

In 1933, Balkh became one of the 3 Afghan cities where Jews were allowed to live. It was forbidden to leave the settlement without urgent need. A kind of Jewish ghetto was formed here because the representatives of this people preferred to settle separately from the rest. As of 2000, the Jewish community in the city has disintegrated.

Attractions:

• Tomb of Khoja Parsa;
• Madrassah of Said Subkhankulikhan;
• Grave of Robiai Balkhi;
• Masjidi Nuh Gumbad.

Interesting facts about the city:

• In 1220, Balkh was destroyed by Genghis Khan and lay in ruins for almost a century and a half.
• The first Jewish community in the city was founded in 568 BC. e., there, as the legend says, the Jews expelled from Jerusalem settled.
• The main local attraction, the Green Mosque or the Tomb of Khoja Parsa, was built in the 15th century.

Currently, this settlement is considered a major center of the textile industry.

Luxor

Luxor is a city located in Upper Egypt. Part of it lies on the east bank of the Nile. It was known as "Uaset" in the ancient world. It occupies a place where, according to historical data, the capital of Ancient Egypt, Thebes, was located. Five centuries have passed since its foundation. It is considered the largest open-air museum, therefore it is currently a tourist center.

Luxor is conditionally divided into two districts - the "City of the Living" and the "City of the Dead". Most of the people live in the first region, in the second, due to the huge number of historical monuments, there are practically no settlements.

According to 2012 data, the population of Luxor is 506 thousand people. Almost all of them are Arabs by nationality.

Attractions:

Interesting Facts:

• in 1997, members of the Islamist group Al-Gamaa-Al-Islamiya staged the so-called Luxor massacre in the city, during which 62 tourists died;
• in summer the temperature reaches + 50 °C in the shade;
• at one time the city was called "the hundred gates of Thebes".

Now Luxor receives the main income from tourists.

El Fayoum

El Faiyum is a city in Middle Egypt. Located in the oasis of the same name. Around it lies the Libyan desert. Scientists have come to the conclusion that the city was founded more in the 4th century. BC e. Its modern name comes from the Coptic language and means "lake" in translation.

The city was the administrative center in ancient Egypt. At that time, he bore the name Shedet, which literally translates as "sea." The settlement got its name due to the fact that on its territory there was an artificial lake Merida, in the waters of which crocodiles were bred to honor the Egyptian god Sebek.

In historical documents, the city is also found under the name Crocodilopolis.

At present, the population of El Faiyum is about 13 thousand people. The city is an agricultural center. Olives, grapes, sugarcane, dates, rice, corn are grown on its fields. Also here are engaged in the production of rose oil.

The city's attractions:

Interesting El Fayoum Facts:

• the national symbol of the province in which the city is located - 4 water wheels;
• the Catholic Church currently believes that it has no power over the city, although it was once a religious center;
• Merida Lake was dug almost 4 centuries ago.

It was in El Faiyum that funeral portraits dated to the 1st-3rd centuries were first found. In honor of the city, they received the name "Fayum".

The most ancient cities in Europe

The oldest city in the world, if we consider its European part, is Athens. Its name is known to every person. But there are other ancient settlements in Europe, for example, Mantua and Plovdiv, which are far from being so famous.

Athens

Athens is one of the most famous and oldest cities in Greece, the capital of the state. It was founded around the 7th century. BC e. The first written monuments that were discovered there date back to 1600 BC. e., but it is known for certain that people lived in Athens long before that time.

The name of the settlement was in honor of its patroness - the goddess of war and wisdom Athena. In the 5th century BC e. it became a city-state. It was there that the model of a democratic society first appeared, which is still considered ideal.

In Athens, such famous philosophers and writers as Sophocles, Aristotle, Socrates, Euripides, Plato were born. The ideas highlighted in their works are relevant to this day.

As of 2011, the population in Athens reached 3 million people, which is about a third of the total population of Greece.

The city center, where the Athenian Acropolis was once located, is now a favorite tourist destination. Most of the ancient buildings were wiped off the face of the earth by time and wars, and modern multi-storey buildings were built in their place. One of the largest European higher educational institutions, the Athens Polytechnic University, is located here.

Attractions:

Interesting Facts:

• the most popular sports in Athens are basketball and football;
• in Greek the city is called "Athena", not "Athens";
• the settlement is considered the birthplace of the theater.

Now in the capital of Greece there are many museums where you can get acquainted with the unique monuments of fine art dating back to the 2nd-3rd centuries. BC e.

Mantova

Mantua is an Italian city founded in the 6th century. BC e. It is surrounded on three sides by the waters of the Mincio River, which is rather unusual, as builders usually try to avoid swampy areas.

For a long time, Mantua was considered the city of art. It was here that the famous artist Rubens began his career - the author of the paintings "The Entombment", "Hercules and Omphala", "Exaltation of the Cross". In the XVII-XVIII centuries. From the haven of cultural figures, the city was re-qualified into an impregnable bastion.

The population of Mantua, according to 2004 data, amounted to 48 thousand people. Currently, the city is a tourist center, as it has preserved many architectural monuments from different centuries.

Attractions:

Interesting Facts:

• in one of the suburbs of Mantua, Virgil was born - the creator of the Aeneid, one of the most famous ancient Roman poets;
• in 1739 Charles de Brosse, a French historian, wrote that the city could only be approached from one side, as it was surrounded by swamps;
• The historic center of Mantua is a World Heritage Site.

The patron saint of the city is Saint Anselm, who was not officially canonized. His memorial day falls on March 18. At the same time, residents celebrate City Day.

Plovdiv

The oldest city in the world, located on the territory of modern Europe, according to historian Dennis Rodwell, is Plovdiv. Now it is considered the second largest in Bulgaria. Once the city bore the names "Filippopolis" and "Filibe". The first settlements on its territory appeared in the VI century. BC e., during the Neolithic period.

At the beginning of World War II, the city took a central place in organizing support for the union of the USSR and Bulgaria. In 1941, the city was occupied by the Germans, as Bulgaria entered into an alliance with Germany. However, the resistance of the inhabitants was not completely suppressed. A reconnaissance group was operating in the city, in February 1943 it was defeated.

Currently, Plovdiv is the second most populated city in Bulgaria. 367 thousand people live in it. The city has a developed industry: agricultural, food and flavoring, clothing, non-ferrous metallurgy. It also houses the only factory in the country that produces cigarette filters and paper.

Attractions:

Interesting facts:

• in Plovdiv there is a whole street with workshops that belong to hereditary artisans;
• annually the International Plovdiv Fair is held here, which is popular throughout Europe;
• Bulgarian astronomer, Violetta Ivanova, discovered an asteroid, which she named after the city.

Every year Plovdiv hosts an international boxing championship.

The oldest cities in the Middle East

In the Middle East, there are two settlements at once that claim to be the oldest city in the world - Byblos and Jericho.

bible

Byblos is an ancient Phoenician city, which is located on the territory of modern Lebanon, not far from the Mediterranean Sea. It is currently called "Jbeil".

Historical finds indicate that Byblos was already inhabited in the 7th century. BC e., during the Neolithic period. But the city was recognized only after 4 centuries. And the ancient era was considered the oldest settlement, but now its status is controversial.

The oldest city in the world, according to some scientists, Byblos is located on a well-protected hill, around which there is a lot of fertile soil, so this place was inhabited in the Neolithic era. But, for some unknown reason, by the arrival of the Phoenicians in the 4th century. BC e. there were no more inhabitants left, so the new arrivals did not have to fight for territory.

In the ancient world, the specialty of the city was the trade in papyrus. From its name came the words "byblos" (translated as "papyrus") and "bible" (translated as "book").

Currently, only 3 thousand people live in Byblos. Most of them adhere to Catholic and Muslim religious views. The city is one of the main tourist centers of Lebanon.

Attractions:

Interesting Facts:

• the biblical alphabet has not yet been deciphered, since there are too few inscriptions on it, and there are no analogues in the world;
• the Egyptian language was official in the city for a long time;
• Egyptian myths say that it was in Byblos that the goddess Isis found the body of Osiris in a wooden box.

The city is located 32 km. from the current capital of Lebanon - Beirut.

Jericho

The oldest city in the world, according to most scientists, is Jericho. The first traces of habitation that were found there date back to the 9th century. BC e. The oldest city fortifications that have been discovered were built at the end of the 7th century. BC e.

Jericho is located on the territory of modern Palestine, in the region of the western bank of the Jordan River. It is repeatedly mentioned in the Bible, not only under its original name, but also as the "city of palm trees."

In the middle of the XIX century. on a hill near the Jordan River, excavations began, the purpose of which was to search for the ancient remains of Jericho. The first attempts did not give any results. But at the beginning of the 20th century, the hill was completely excavated.

It turned out that layers of architectural structures belonging to 7 different time periods lay in its depths. After repeated destruction, the city gradually moved to the south, which is why this phenomenon arose. The population of modern Jericho is only 20 thousand inhabitants.

The city, which is considered the oldest in the world, has been closed to the public since 2000, after armed uprisings in Palestine. In exceptional cases, the heads of the Israeli army gives tourists the go-ahead to visit.

Attractions:

• ruins of ancient Jericho;
• Forty Day Mountain;
• tree of Zacchaeus.

Interesting Facts:

• in Hebrew, the name of the city sounds like "Yeriho", and in Arabic - "Eriha";
• this is one of the oldest settlements in which people lived continuously;
• Jericho is mentioned not only in the Bible, but also in the works of Flavius, Ptolemy, Strabo, Pliny - they are all ancient Roman writers and scientists.

Supporters of the separation of the concepts of "city" and "urban settlement" believe that only Damascus, the capital of modern Syria, can compete with Jericho in age.

What is the oldest city in Russia?

Until 2014, Derbent, located in the southern part of the Republic of Dagestan, was considered the most ancient city in Russia. The first mention of a settlement on its territory dates back to the 6th century. BC e. The city itself was founded in the 5th century. n. e.

In 2017, after the annexation of the Crimean peninsula, Kerch was considered the oldest city in Russia. On its territory, sites dating back to the 8th century were discovered. BC e. The first settlement appeared in the 7th century. BC e. And the city itself was founded around the III century. BC e.

For the first time, Kerch became part of the Russian Empire at the end of the 8th century. as a result of the Russian-Turkish war. At that time, there was an active mining of shells and limestone for construction needs. By the beginning of the XX century. iron ore deposits were discovered under the city, which played a big role in the economic development of the city.

Currently, the population of Kerch is 150 thousand people. Tourists often come to the city, as it is located at the junction of the Azov and Black Seas. Also, the city continues to be one of the largest shipbuilding and metal foundry centers.

Attractions:

• Royal mound;
• Tiritaka;
• Yeni-Kale fortress;
• Merimekey;
• Nymphaeum.

Interesting Facts:

Although the title of the oldest city in the world is difficult to award to only one locality, scientists were able to identify several leaders: Jericho, Byblos and Damascus.

The leading position is currently occupied by Jericho, but other cities deserve no less interest.

Article formatting: Vladimir the Great

Video about the oldest city in the world

The oldest city in the world:

Memphis, Babylon, Thebes - all of them were once the largest centers, but only the name remains of them. However, there are cities that have existed throughout the history of mankind, from the Stone Age to the present day.

Jericho (West Bank)

At the very foot of the Judean Mountains, opposite the confluence of the Jordan into the Dead Sea, is the most ancient city on earth - Jericho. Traces of settlements dating back to the 10th-9th millennium BC were found here. e. It was a permanent site of the Pre-Pottery Neolithic A culture, whose representatives built the first wall of Jericho. The defensive structure of the Stone Age was four meters high and two meters wide. Inside it was a powerful eight-meter tower, which, obviously, was used for ritual purposes. Its ruins have survived to this day.

The name Jericho (in Hebrew Jericho) according to one version comes from a word with the meaning "smell" and "fragrance" - "reah". According to another, from the word moon - "yareah", which the founders of the city could revere. We find the first written mention of it in the book of Joshua, which describes the fall of the walls of Jericho and the capture of the city by the Jews in 1550 BC. e. By that time, the city was already a powerful fortified fortress, whose system of seven walls was a real labyrinth. Not for nothing - Jericho had something to defend. It was located at the crossroads of three important trade routes of the Middle East, right in the middle of a flourishing oasis with plenty of fresh water and fertile soil. For the inhabitants of the desert - the real promised land.

Jericho was the first city to be captured by the Israelites. It was completely destroyed, and all the inhabitants were killed, with the exception of the harlot Rahab, who had previously sheltered Jewish spies, for which she was spared.

Today, Jericho, located on the West Bank of the Jordan, is a disputed territory between Palestine and Israel, remaining in a zone of constant military conflict. Therefore, visiting the most ancient and rich in historical sights of the city is not recommended.

Damascus: "eye of the desert" (Syria

Damascus, the current capital of Syria, is fighting for the first place with Jericho. The earliest mention of it was found in the list of conquered cities of Pharaoh Thutmose III, who lived in 1479-1425 BC. e. In the first book of the Old Testament, Damascus is mentioned as a large and well-known center of trade.

In the 13th century, the historian Yaqut al-Humavi claimed that the city was founded by Adam and Eve themselves, who, after being expelled from Eden, found refuge in the cave of blood (Magarat ad-Damm) on Mount Qasyun on the outskirts of Damascus. The first murder in history described in the Old Testament also took place there - Cain killed his brother. According to legend, the self-name Damascus comes from the ancient Aramaic word "demshak", which means "brother's blood." Another, more plausible version says that the name of the city goes back to the Aramaic word Darmeśeq, which means “well-irrigated place”.

It is not known for certain who first founded the settlement near Mount Kasyun. But recent excavations at Tel Ramada, a suburb of Damascus, have shown that humans settled the area around 6300 BC. e.

Byblos (Lebanon)

Closes the top three of the most ancient cities - Byblos, known today as Jbeil. It is located on the Mediterranean coast, 32 km from Beirut, the current capital of Lebanon. Once it was a large Phoenician city founded in the 4th millennium BC, although the first settlements on this territory date back to the Late Stone Age - the 7th millennium.

The ancient name of the city is associated with the legend of a certain Biblis, who was madly in love with her brother, Kavnos. She died of grief when her lover fled to escape sin, and her shed tears formed an inexhaustible source of water that watered the city. According to another version, byblos in Greece was called papyrus, which was exported from the city.

Byblos was one of the largest ports of antiquity. He was also known for the spread of the cult of Baal there - the formidable god of the Sun, who "demanded" self-torture and bloody sacrifices from his adherents. The written language of the ancient Byblos is still one of the main mysteries of the Ancient World. The Proto-Biblic script, widespread in the second millennium BC, is still not decipherable; it does not look like any of the known writing systems of the Ancient World.

Plovdiv (Bulgaria)

Today it is customary to consider the oldest city in Europe not Rome or even Athens, but the Bulgarian city of Plovdiv, located in the southern part of the country between the Rhodope and Balkan mountains (the home of the legendary Orpheus) and the Upper Thracian lowland. The first settlements on its territory date back to the 6th-4th millennium BC. e., although Plovdiv, or rather, then Evmolpiada, reached its heyday under the peoples of the sea - the Thracians. In 342 BC. it was captured by Philip II of Macedon, the father of the famous Alexander, who named it Philippopolis in his honor. Subsequently, the city managed to visit the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman rule, which made it the second cultural center in Bulgaria after Sofia.

Derbent (Russia)

One of the top five oldest cities in the world is located on the territory of our country. This is Derbent in Dagestan, the southernmost and most ancient city in Russia. The first settlements arose here in the early Bronze Age (4th millennium BC). For the first time it was mentioned by the famous ancient Greek historian Hecateus of Miletus in the 6th century BC, who gives the most ancient name of the city: “Caspian Gates”. The city owes such a romantic name to its geographical position - it stretched along the coastline of the Caspian Sea - where the mountains of the Caucasus come closest to the Caspian Sea, leaving only a three-kilometer strip of plain.

In world history, Derbent has become an unofficial "checkpoint" between Europe and Asia. One of the most important sections of the Great Silk Road ran here. It is not surprising that he has always been a favorite object of the neighbors' conquests. The Roman Empire showed great interest in him - the main goal of the campaigns to the Caucasus by Lucullus and Pompey in 66-65 BC. was precisely Derbent. In the 5th century A.D. e. when the city belonged to the Sassanids, powerful fortifications were erected here to protect against nomads, including the fortress of Naryn-kala. From it, located at the foot of the mountain range, two walls descended to the sea, designed to protect the city and the trade route. It is from this time that the history of Derbent as a large city is counted.

Any city has its own history of creation, but not every one 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, the rating was compiled: 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 peace and the city of three religions. The first human traces on the territory of Jerusalem appeared already in 2800 BC. e., so it can rightfully be considered one of the oldest cities in the world.

Throughout its history, Jerusalem has survived multiple wars, twice 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 occupies the 9th position in the ranking of the oldest cities in the world. According to various sources, the city appeared in 3000-5000 BC. e. During its existence, Beirut was repeatedly destroyed, but it was always possible to restore it.

Excavations have been repeatedly carried out on the territory of the Lebanese capital, during which various artifacts belonging to the Phoenician, Ottoman, Roman and many other ethnic communities were found. According to research, written references to Beirut date back to the 14th century BC. e. Now the city is the tourist center of Lebanon. Its population is 361,000 people.

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. e. Until 1921, the city had a different name - Antep, after which the title "gazi" was added to it, which means brave in translation. In ancient times, crusades passed through the city, and in 1183, during the Ottoman Empire, mosques and inns began to be built in Gaziantep, and later it became a trading 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. e. According to some reports, it is the oldest city in Europe, so it is given the 7th line in the ranking of the oldest cities in the world. In 342 BC. e. Plovdiv was called differently - Odris. This name can be seen on ancient 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 monuments and other sights known far beyond the borders of Bulgaria.

6.

This Egyptian city appeared around 4000 BC. e. 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 that confirm the visit of the city by the pharaohs of the 12th dynasty. In those days, the city was called Shedet, which means sea.

At present, El Fayoum is flooded with numerous markets, bazaars and mosques. The city has an unusual infrastructure with various attractions. Here they produce rose oil, grow exotic fruits and cereals.

5.

The oldest city in Lebanon began its existence in 4000 BC. e. It is located 40 km from the capital. According to historical data, it is known that Jesus and the Apostle Paul visited him. During the time of the Phoenicians, it was the largest trading center in the Mediterranean. Until now, a seaport built in the Phoenician era has been preserved.

Sidon has repeatedly been part of various states and empires. 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 ancient Sumerian chronicles, 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 sacked and burned. Ten years later, the Elamite Empire disappeared.

One of the most ancient cities of Susa suffered many bloody battles and destruction, but each time it was rebuilt. 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 Jbeil. This Lebanese city was founded in 4-5 millennium BC. e. It was built by the Phoenicians and named Gebal. On its territory there are many Phoenician shrines, as well as the church of John the Baptist. Byblios, the city began to be called by the ancient Greeks, who visited the city and purchased papyrus here. In ancient times Byblios was the largest port.

The biblical writings have never been translated; they still remain a mystery left by the ancient city. They have 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. e. During this period of time, the Egyptian pharaohs ruled here. Later, the city was the center of the Damascus kingdom. For the rest of its existence, Damascus repeatedly became part of different states and empires. It is known that the Apostle Paul visited Damascus, at the same time the first Christians appeared here.

Currently, Damascus is the cultural capital and the second largest Syrian city, with more than 1.5 million people living here.

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 that settled here as far back as 9 millennia BC. e. The city is located on the banks of the sacred Jordan River. It is known to many from the biblical scriptures.

Modern Jericho is a real living museum of ancient monuments. Here you can see the ruins left from the palace of King Herod, visit the source of the holy prophet Elisha and visit various Orthodox shrines. At present, its population is more than 20,000 people.