1 Eridu, Iraq
The Sumerians, the earliest known civilization, left their mark in the dusty sands of Eridu. This ancient city, nestled along the Euphrates River, dates back to around 5400 BCE. Imagine strolling through its mud-brick temples, where priests once communed with gods.
How to Reach Eridu: Travel to Iraq and follow the whispers of millennia-old winds.
2 Babylon, Iraq
Babylon, a name that resonates across time, was a bustling metropolis around 2300 BCE. Its Hanging Gardens, the Ishtar Gate, and the legendary Tower of Babel are etched in our collective memory.
How to Reach Babylon: Venture into the heart of Iraq, where ancient legends await.
3 Nineveh, Iraq
Still in Iraq, Nineveh boasts a history stretching back to 3000 BCE. The mighty Assyrian capital once stood proud, its walls adorned with intricate reliefs. Imagine the grandeur of its palaces and the bustling markets.
How to Reach Nineveh: Follow the Tigris River upstream, guided by echoes of forgotten empires.
4 Abydos, Egypt
Abydos, on the Nile’s banks, is a gateway to Egypt’s primordial past. Here, pharaohs were laid to rest, and Osiris held sway. Hieroglyphs dance on temple walls, narrating tales of gods and mortals.
How to Reach Abydos: Sail down the Nile, where time flows backwards.
5 Memphis, Egypt
Memphis, founded around 3100 BCE, was Egypt’s first capital. Picture colossal statues of pharaohs, bustling markets, and the sacred Apis bull. The sands still whisper secrets of ancient dynasties.
How to Reach Memphis: Drift along the Nile’s currents, tracing the footsteps of pharaohs
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6 Halab (Aleppo), Syria
Aleppo, a living testament to resilience, dates back to 3000 BCE. Its citadel, souks, and labyrinthine streets echo with tales of Silk Road traders, crusaders, and conquerors.
How to Reach Halab (Aleppo): Cross the Syrian desert, where caravans once plied their trade.
7 Tyre, Lebanon
Tyre, a Phoenician jewel, thrived around 2750 BCE. Its purple-dyed fabrics adorned royalty, and its maritime prowess spanned the Mediterranean. Imagine the salty breeze and bustling harbours.
How to Reach Tyre: Sail along the coast, guided by ancient constellations.
8 Jerusalem, Israel
Jerusalem, sacred to three major religions, pulses with history. Its ancient walls cradle stories of prophets, kings, and pilgrims. The Western Wall stands as a silent witness to millennia of prayers.
How to Reach Jerusalem: Follow ancient pilgrimage routes where faith and history intertwine.
9 Hattusa, Turkey
Hattusa, the capital of the Hittite Empire (around 1600 BCE), lies hidden in Anatolia’s hills. Its massive walls, temples, and cuneiform tablets reveal a lost civilization.
How to Reach Hattusa: Trek through Turkey’s rugged landscapes, guided by ancient inscriptions.
10 Knossos, Greece
Knossos, on Crete, was home to the enigmatic Minoans (around 2000 BCE). Labyrinthine palaces, frescoes, and myths of Minotaur await your exploration.
How to Reach Knossos: Sail across azure seas, where Poseidon’s trident still stirs the waves.
11 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Plovdiv, Europe’s oldest continuously inhabited city (around 6000 BCE), whispers tales of Thracians, Romans, and Ottomans. Cobbled streets lead to amphitheatres and ancient forums.
How to Reach Plovdiv: Traverse the Balkans, where echoes of ancient voices linger.
12 Susa, Iran
Susa, the cradle of Elamite civilization (around 4000 BCE), witnessed empires rise and fall. Its ziggurats, palaces, and clay tablets hold secrets of forgotten kings.
How to Reach Susa: Cross the Iranian plateau.