Cities are the towering reminders of how powerful civilizations can be: sprawling communities that require a complex array or resources and governing bodies. However, one important ingredient in the ancient days was for a city to be near a river – since rivers provided not only a viable food sorurce aside from agriculture, they also were the first “highways” of ancient transportation.
But many of the ancient cities have disappeared; even more surprising, many of them continue to thrive until the present day. Here are some of the ancient riverside cities that live on to this day.
Rome
Rome, the capital of Italy, is perhaps one of the most ancient cities in its area, with some estimates saying that it has existed in one form or another for 14,000 years next to the Tiber River. It is laden with history, being the center of the Holy Roman Empire, and within its territory, it also houses the Vatican City-State. Aside from the famous Coliseum, and the Vatican City’s St. Peter’s Basilica, Rome has managed to preserve many of its ancient history and architecture. It is also home to many educational institutions, and is still considered one of the cultural epicenters of modern Europe. It is also a center for developments in food and music.
Lisbon
The city of Lisbon, capital of Portugal, has been around for what can be termed as millennia, having probably started as a Phoenician trading post. It is next to the Tagus river, but also overlooks the Atlantic Ocean, making its position ideal for city development. The city has a Mediterranean climate, and is considered to be among the warmest European capital cities. Like Rome, it is also a center for arts and crafts, and has preserved many of its ancient infrastructure, though not as extensively as Rome has done.
Varanasi
The city of Varanasi is also known as Benares or Kashi, which gives one an idea of just how ancient it is. It is located next to the Ganges River, and is known to be one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. It may even be possible that it is the oldest inhabited city in India. It is a religious capital, with many temples and mosques. It is a center of art and music, such that it has its own distinct cultural flavor when it comes to the arts. Because of its status as a holy city, there are usually many festivals and pilgrimages happening across the year. Many parts of the city show distinctly older architecture, but unlike Lisbon and Rome, they tend to be integrated into a misch-mash with modern structures.
Shanghai
Known as a popular staple for noir novels and films, the real Shanghai is a city established near the mouth of the Yangtze River and the East China Sea, similar to how Lisbon is positioned. For many years, Shanghai was the cultural center of East Asia, and it continues to be a focal point for business, culture and the arts. The city’s architecture is a bewildering combination of traditional, Cold War Eastern Bloc and modern designs that have all been adapted to coexist with each other.