MARVELS FROM THE PAST

10 Ancient Cities That You Can Still Visit Today

Image: Toa Heftiba

Eventually, time makes ruins of all of humanity’s achievements, and not even the most magnificent cities are safe from decay. But not everything is lost! Luckily, many wonders from civilizations past are still standing proud. Ancient cities reinvent themselves through the ages, withstanding the test of time and connecting us to our most distant past.

Join us and explore 10 cities that are more than just historical relics, standing as living testaments to the ingenuity and resilience of humanity throughout the ages.

Image: Spencer Davis

Considered by many as the cradle of Western civilization, Athens has a legacy spanning over 7,000 years. From being the birthplace of democracy to the epicenter of art, philosophy, and literature in antiquity, Athens is one of the most enduring symbols of ancient Greek culture.

Image: abd sarakbi

Located in the heart of the Middle East, Damascus was founded at some point during the 3rd millennium B.C., being among the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Due to its strategic location and role as a key hub for trade and culture, the city kept its relevance until today. Despite facing numerous military conflicts in the recent decades, Damascus has preserved its ancient landmarks, including the Umayyad Mosque and the historic Old City.

Image: Snowscat

Another city that can boast being continuously inhabited since times immemorial, Jericho's origins trace back over 10,000 years. Situated west of the Jordan River, its fertile lands have supported human settlement since the dawn of agriculture. The ancient city's iconic walls and archaeological sites offer a glimpse into the dawn of civilization in the region.

Image: Shiv Prasad

Situated along the banks of the sacred Ganges River, the city of Varanasi dates back over 5,000 years. According to Hindu mythology, the city was founded by Shiva, one of the major deities of Hinduism, over 5,000 years ago. However, archaeologists now believe the city is closer to 3,000 years old.

Image: Blitz1980, CC BY-SA 3.0

Located in present-day Iran, Susa was one of the earliest cities in the world, dating back to 4300 B.C. Disputed among many empires along its complex history, Susa played a major role in shaping ancient Mesopotamian civilization. Today, the modern Iranian town of Shush is located on the site of the ancient city.

Image: Nabih El Boustani

Also known as Jebeil, Byblos has a long history dating back over 7,000 years. Situated on the Mediterranean coast, it was a vital center of trade and Phoenician culture, exporting many precious goods to ancient Egypt and beyond. Notably, Byblos is also known as the birthplace of the Phoenician alphabet, the ancestor of all modern Western alphabets.

Image: Anton Atanasov

The second-largest city in Bulgaria, Plovdiv is one of the oldest cities in Europe, with a complex tapestry of Thracian, Greek, Roman, and Ottoman influences. Many archaeological sites within the city are well-preserved, such as a Roman amphitheater and the remains of its medieval fortress walls and towers.

Image: Datingjungle

One of the least-known ancient cities of the world, Larnaca can trace its roots back over 3,000 years. Once the site of the ancient city-kingdom of Kition in the 13th century B.C., it was also the birthplace of the Stoic philosopher Zeno. Although the island endured several devastating earthquakes throughout its history, current visitors can explore its many archaeological sites while enjoying the timeless beauty of the Mediterranean.

Image: CALIN STAN

Formerly known as Thebes, Luxor is sometimes referred to as the "world's greatest open-air museum," due to the amount of archaeological ruins and Egyptian constructions that stand within the modern city. With a history spanning almost 4,000 years, it saw dozens of kingdoms and empires rise and fall from its walls. While the Valley of the Kings is one of its most popular landmarks, the city has literally hundreds of historical sites worth visiting.

Image: Parker Hilton

Founded in the 8th century during the Idrisid dynasty, an early Muslim kingdom, Fez is one of the oldest cities in Morocco, renowned for its well-preserved Islamic architecture and vibrant cultural heritage. The Medina of Fez, a designated World Heritage site, allows visitors to travel back in time as they explore a large urban area filled with beautiful mosques, ancient streets and restored traditional houses.

Have you ever heard the wolf cry to the blue corn moon?

What is behind the name of every full moon?

Image: Ganapathy Kumar

You have surely heard of blue moons, corn moons, and harvest moons. These are all speaking about the same moon, but where do these names come from, and what do they mean? They are all names given to the full moon, but they occur at different times of the year.

Many cultures around the world have names for the moon and its phases. In the U.S., the names of the full moons come from a mix of European and Native American traditions and have been popularized by the Farmers’ Almanac.

Image: Michael LaRosa

Other names: Moon after Yule, Old Moon, Ice Moon.

The first full moon of the year was named after the wolves that howled near villages, searching for food. The proximity of the wolves led some Native American tribes to call this moon the "Stay-at-Home Moon."

Image: Aditya Vyas

Other names: Black Moon, Hungry Moon, Bear Moon.

February is the snowiest time of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, and the moon’s name reflects this. Alternative names refer to the scarcity of food due to the weather and to the harsh hunting conditions. Because February is the shortest month of the year, it sometimes lacks a full moon, a phenomenon known as a "Black Moon."

Image: Sean Thomas

Other names: Spring Moon, Snow Crust Moon, Sore Eye Moon.

As the snowy weather recedes in March, the first signs of Spring start to appear. The odd name for this moon comes from the appearance of worms in the thawing ground, a sign that better times are ahead.

Image: steph

Other names: Budding Moon, Peony Moon, Sprouting Grass Moon

Wildflowers start to appear in April, inspiring the name of this moon, especially moss pink and creeping ground phlox, two of the earliest wildflowers. Alternative names for the April moon also refer to new growth.

Image: Sergey Shmidt

Other names: Mulberry Moon, Milk Moon.

If the first sprouts inspire the April moon, by the time of the May moon, flowers are everywhere. Alternative names for this moon refer to the mulberries that have ripened in the trees and the cattle being moved to pastures.

Image: Oliver Hale

Other names: Honey Moon, Windy Moon, Rose Moon.

The name for this moon comes from the wild strawberry, which at this time of the year is ripe and ready to be harvested. Found across most states, this plant was a spring staple. Alternative names refer to spring storms and other flowering plants.

Image: Diana Parkhouse

Other names: Salmon Moon, Mead Moon.

Come July, young bucks begin growing their antlers rapidly in preparation for the fall mating season. At the same time, salmon start migrating upriver, and it’s time to start fermenting mead.

Image: Anil Sharma

Other names: Moon of the Ripening, Grain Moon.

The sturgeon was once an important food source in North America. During August, these fish are abundant and easy to catch. Alternative moon names indicate that summer crops are ready for harvesting.

Image: Christophe Maertens

Other names: Autumn Moon, Mating Moon.

Corn is still one of the main crops in North America, so it’s not surprising that the full moon during its harvest is named after it. Other names refer to this period as the animal mating season.

Image: Viktor Talashuk

Other names: Hunter Moon.

The October full moon rises quickly after sunset, which gives farmers extra light to finish harvesting. This additional light was also helpful for hunters, who used the time to stock up for winter.

Image: Francesco Ungaro

Other names: Freezing Moon.

Found in most of North America, beavers start building their homes around this time of the year. Some say the name of this moon comes from the beaver hunts that happened in the season. Alternatively, this moon is also named after the first frosts.

Image: Joel & Jasmin Førestbird

Other names: Long Night Moon, Moon Before Yule.

By December, winter has set in, and the full moon is named after the coldest time of the year. Alternative names for this moon make reference to the long winter nights and to the festivities at the end of the year.

Image: Kym MacKinnon

The Farmers’ Almanac follows the tropical year—from one winter solstice to the next—rather than the calendar year. In addition, the lunar cycle takes about 29.5 days to complete, slightly shorter than a full calendar month. This means that, every two or three years, a year will have thirteen full moons instead of twelve. The extra full moon is called a Blue Moon, which is the origin of the expression "once in a blue moon," meaning something that happens rarely.