Global cities

A series of articles from BBC World Histories magazine in which historians explore the historical sites in cities around the world, helping you to plan your visit

Two traditional thatched-roof huts made of mud and wood standing in a grassy field, decorated with striking red, white, and yellow painted geometric patterns under a blue sky.

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Are these the world’s oldest cities? Inside the megasites that Soviet authorities didn’t want you to see. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Collage of twelve photographs of ancient Roman sites, including ruined amphitheatres, a triumphal arch, a mosaic floor, a columned temple, and old paved roads.

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These are the 12 most underrated Roman sites in the world – how many have you visited?. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

A man wearing a blue jumper and black trousers stands in front on a large mural of an airport

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Kavita Puri's hidden histories: "A UK museum that tells the long, rich history of migration is long overdue". This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

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Michael Wood on amazing insights into medieval daily life. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Roman Forum in Rome, Italy (Photo by Olgacov | Dreamstime.com)

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Rome historyEmperors, popes and Renaissance glory. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

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ExploreYangon, Myanmar: City of Golden Pagodas. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

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ExploreFès, Morocco: Morocco’s spiritual capital. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Thessaloniki's Rotunda of Galerius, Greece, built in the fourth-century by Roman occupiers

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ExploreThessaloniki, Greece: Greece's cultural melting pot. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

The 17th-century church of Santi Luca e Martina overlooks the Arch of Septimius Severus in the Roman Forum

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ExploreRome, Italy: the 'eternal city'. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Plaza de Armas in historic center of Cusco, Peru

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ExploreCusco, Peru: Navel of the Incan world. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Notre Dame de la Major church, Arles

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ExploreArles, France: 'Little Rome' of Provence. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Brass band playing during Mardi Gras in Mew Orleans

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ExploreNew Orleans, United States: Louisiana's 'big easy'. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

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ExploreSan Francisco: the Golden City by the bay. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

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ExploreSt Petersburg, Russia: the Venice of the north. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Church of Santo Domingo de Guzman in Oaxaca Mexico

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ExploreOaxaca: Central Mexico’s “fair and beautiful city”. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Sveti Georgi (St George) a Roman-era church is Sofia's oldest preserved building

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ExploreSofia, Bulgaria: an emperor’s home from Rome. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Kiyomizu Temple in Kyoto and a mountain in the background

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ExploreKyoto: Japan’s city of gardens and geishas. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

An indigenous Aymara woman selling herbs at La Paz's Witches' Market

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ExploreLa Paz, Bolivia: the history of the turbulent city of peace. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Colourful streets of the Bo-Kaap district in Cape Town South Africa

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ExploreCape Town: Africa’s ‘Mother City’. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Acropolis Museum Athens, combines modern and ancient

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ExploreAthens: a city of ancient sites and modern visions. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.