March 29, 2024

Plovdiv is the oldest city in Europe

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According to the rankings published in the British newspaper “Daily Telegraph“, Plovdiv is the sixth-oldest city in the world. It includes only cities that have not disappeared, not abandoned and are still active communities. Oldest existing city in the world is the Palestinian city of Jericho, and in Europe – the Bulgarian city of Plovdiv.
According to the publication of the “Daily Telegraph” the city was founded in 4000 BC and is the second largest in Bulgaria after Sofia.

It is home to 379,882 people. The publication describes Plovdiv as a very important economic, cultural, educational and transportation center of the country, where are preserved many ancient sites, including the Roman stadium, amphitheater and Turkish baths. There is evidence that at the same place there was still an old settlement founded around 6000 BC.

Most importantly written evidence of the importance of the city dates back to the II century is from Lucian, a Greek writer and rhetoric, born in Syria. “Indeed, it is the largest and most beautiful city in the world. Its beauty is visible from afar, and his fame rests everywhere”, he wrote.

Jericho is recognized as the oldest existing city in the world. It was founded 9000 BC. In ancient times it was surrounded by a stone wall and it lived between 1000 and 1500 inhabitants. The city is located in present Palestine in the West Bank to Jordan. Currently there are about 20,000 people.

Second is the Byblos established 5000 BC in Lebanon. The city was founded by the Phoenicians, who named it Gebal and Greeks exported papyrus, that gave it the name “Byblos”. On behalf of the city comes the name of the Bible. Its main tourist attractions are the Phoenician temples, Byblos castle and the church “St. John the Baptist.”

In third place was the Syrian city of Aleppo, which was founded in 4300 BC. Aleppo is the most populated city in modern Syria. The population of 4.4 million people.
At the same time – 4300 years BC, with Aleppo and was founded also Damascus.

Then the Iranian city of Susa, created in 4200 BC. Before being conquered by the Assyrians, he was the chief city of Elam Empire. It is located 250 km east of the Tigris River in the southwestern part of today Iran.
In sixth place with Plovdiv, archaeologists rank Fayum in Egypt and Sidon in Lebanon.
Last 20 among the oldest cities in the world is destined for the Indian city of Varanasi, founded in 1000 BC. It is situated on the west bank of the River Ganges and is an important center for both Hindus and Buddhists.

A year ago, archaeologists announced they had found near Pazardzhik the oldest European settlement – a city surrounded by 5-foot walls, founded around 7000 BC. Apart from Plovdiv, on the Balkans, there are many cities, based on thousands of years ago – Athens (about 3000 BC), Stara Zagora (2800 BC), Akrotiri (3000 g.pr.n .’s), Sesklo (3700 BC), etc.

Source: www.bulgaria-news.bg

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