What is the longest occupied city in Europe?
What is the longest occupied city in Europe? Considered by most to be the oldest continuously inhabited city in Europe, Plovdiv is a city that continues to evolve and develop. People have lived in Bulgaria's second-largest city for 8,000 years, but a blossoming restaurant and cafe scene showcases Plovdiv's thirst for excitement.
Do people still live in Matera?
Matera is the only place in the world where people can boast to be still living in the same houses of their ancestors of 9,000 years ago. Until the late 1980s this was considered an area of poverty, since many of these houses were, and in some cases still are, uninhabitable.
Why Matera is so special?
Matera has gained international fame for its ancient town, the Sassi di Matera. The Sassi originated in a prehistoric troglodyte settlement, and these dwellings are thought to be among the first ever human settlements in what is now Italy.
Why was Matera abandoned?
Matera, a troglodyte city in Basilicata, was considered “the shame of Italy” in the 1950s because of the extreme poverty and widespread disease in its ancient Sassi districts.
Is Matera the oldest city in the world?
Matera is an ancient city that seems to have existed forever. It is the third oldest city in the world, after Aleppo and Jericho, with over 10,000 years of history. The rock caves, the rocky Murgia of Matera and some primitive dwellings of the Sassi tell of ancient settlements.
What was the biggest city ever built?
The Sumerian city of Uruk (modern-day Iraq), allegedly home to the legendary king Gilgamesh, topped the list with 40,000 people. It was followed by Memphis (Egypt) with 20,000 inhabitants.
What is the second oldest city in Europe?
Athens is the second oldest city in Europe, dating back to about 3000 BC. The first settlement was built on the rock of Acropolis. It was formed when King Theseus united several settlements of Attica into a state. According to Greek mythology, Athens was named after the Greek Goddess of Wisdom, Athena.