History's Greatest Cities

Travel writer and history buff Paul Bloomfield will be joining expert guides with rich local and historical knowledge. Venturing to the great cities of Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas, they'll explore centuries-long stories of foundation and growth, and examine how contact between continents shaped these far-flung places. Along the way, they'll introduce the colourful characters who played pivotal roles in the development of these cities, and lead listeners through the must-visit palaces, temples, bazaars and, of course, bars and restaurants. And, our experts will also share insider tips to help visitors discover hidden facets of each fascinating destination.

History’s Greatest Cities is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine and HistoryExtra. For more fascinating stories from the past, head to HistoryExtra, the home of ‘History’s Greatest’ podcasts. There you can find other feeds including the HistoryExtra Podcast, History’s Greatest Conspiracy Theories and HistoryExtra Long Reads. Find out more at historyextra.com/podcast.

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History
Education
Society & Culture
1
Marrakech
Barnaby Rogerson explores how the Moroccan city’s location drove its rise to dominance
31 min
2
Sydney
Laila Ellmoos shares the history behind one of Australia's largest cities
29 min
3
Beijing
Jonathan Clements explores the lengthy history of the Chinese capital, which has been the home of a dozen different dynasties
22 min
4
Kingston
Audra A Diptree heads over to the Jamaican capital to explore its turbulent history and vibrant culture
33 min
5
Buenos Aires
Jason Wilson charts how a sleepy colonial backwater became the densely urban Argentine capital
33 min
6
New York City
Kara Schlichting highlights how this iconic American metropolis became the sprawling tourist destination it is today
41 min
7
Antwerp
Michael Pye roams the streets of the Belgian city dominated by a medieval fortress and graced by Baroque, Gothic and Renaissance monuments
31 min
8
Barcelona
Andrew Dowling journeys through the streets and sights of Barcelona, past and present
36 min
9
History's Greatest Cities | Season 4
1 min
10
Introducing History's Greatest Battles | New Po...
1 min
11
Edinburgh
Rosemary Goring explores the Scottish capital’s expansion and evolution though the centuries – roaming its castle and old town and venturing into historic closes and tenements
34 min
12
Munich
Christine Lehner shares stories from the Bavarian city’s past, exploring Christmas markets, baroque churches and lively beer halls
31 min
13
History's Greatest Cities | Festive Specials
1 min
14
Introducing History's Greatest Conspiracy Theories
1 min
15
Delhi
Chandrika Kaul explores the successive cities that have risen and, in many cases, fallen where India's modern capital stands today
25 min
16
Cape Town
Vivian Bickford Smith charts the history of the South African city, from its roots as a settlement under the Dutch East India Company, through politcal and social crises, to its status as a modern-day tourist hotspot
49 min
17
Cairo
Doris Behrens-Abouseif reveal more about the hidden history behind the Egyptian capital’s souks, mosques and other ancient monuments
39 min
18
Granada
Elizabeth Drayson guides us through the various iterations of the famous Spanish city, known for the iconic Alhambra palace perched above
39 min
19
Québec City
David Mendel offers fresh perspectives on the history and modern sites of the iconic Canadian city
39 min
20
Mexico City
Amy Fuller unravels the lengthy history of Mexico City, from its life as a prehistoric metropolis to its development as a colonial settlement
52 min
21
Tokyo
Christopher Harding explores the unsettled story of the current capital of Japan, from devastating earthquakes to its prominence under the ruling shoguns
29 min
22
Venice
Elizabeth Hodowich leads us across the piazzas and into the churches and palaces of the Italian city, which established itself as a powerhouse of trade and commerce in the Middle Ages
35 min
23
History's greatest cities | Season 3
1 min
24
Warsaw
52 min
25
Split
49 min