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
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
2
Barcelona
Andrew Dowling journeys through the streets and sights of Barcelona, past and present
36 min
3
History's Greatest Cities | Season 4
1 min
4
Introducing History's Greatest Battles | New Po...
1 min
5
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
6
Munich
Christine Lehner shares stories from the Bavarian city’s past, exploring Christmas markets, baroque churches and lively beer halls
31 min
7
History's Greatest Cities | Festive Specials
1 min
8
Introducing History's Greatest Conspiracy Theories
1 min
9
Delhi
Chandrika Kaul explores the successive cities that have risen and, in many cases, fallen where India's modern capital stands today
25 min
10
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
11
Cairo
Doris Behrens-Abouseif reveal more about the hidden history behind the Egyptian capital’s souks, mosques and other ancient monuments
39 min
12
Granada
Elizabeth Drayson guides us through the various iterations of the famous Spanish city, known for the iconic Alhambra palace perched above
39 min
13
Québec City
David Mendel offers fresh perspectives on the history and modern sites of the iconic Canadian city
39 min
14
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
15
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
16
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
17
History's greatest cities | Season 3
1 min
18
Warsaw
52 min
19
Split
49 min
20
York
50 min
21
Lisbon
49 min
22
Amsterdam
31 min
23
Dublin
64 min
24
Budapest
57 min
25
Florence
42 min