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

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)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Acropolis Museum Athens, combines modern and ancient

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