History's Greatest Cities

In episode seven of our series exploring the great historical cities of Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas, travel writer Paul Bloomfield is joined by Emeritus Professor Vivian Bickford-Smith as they explore Cape Town – including its diverse historic neighbourhoods, markets and monuments, bays and beaches, as well as as mountains and islands. Together they introduce the pivotal moments in the m...

In episode six of our series exploring the great historical cities of Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas, travel writer Paul Bloomfield is joined by Professor Doris Behrens-Abouseif as they journey through the diverse historic quarters of Cairo. Together, they explore its roots in ancient cities planted on the Nile over thousands of years, and look at how various occupations and successive Isla...

In episode five of our series exploring the great historical cities of Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas, travel writer Paul Bloomfield is joined by Dr Elizabeth Drayson for a trip to Granada. Together they lead through its various incarnations – as a Jewish settlement, a Roman province, a Visigothic kingdom, and as a Muslim Emirate. Along the way, they also meet some of the figures who play m...

In episode four of our series exploring the great historical cities of Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas, travel writer Paul Bloomfield is joined by David Mendel as they visit Québec City in Canada. Together they explore its pre-colonial origins, development as a French imperial capital and its incorporation into Britain's North American colonies. They also meet some of the figures who played...

In episode three of our series exploring the great historical cities of Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas, travel writer Paul Bloomfield is joined by Dr Amy Fuller as they search for hints of the past within Mexico City. Together they explore the city's roots in the settlement founded by the people who became known as Aztec, as well as the events and impacts of the invasion by Spanish forces....

In episode two of our series exploring the great historical cities of Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas, travel writer Paul Bloomfield is joined by Dr Christopher Harding as they delve into the fascinating, yet often turbulent, story of Tokyo. Together, they’ll visit key sites where major events unfolded – from exploring its medieval origins, and its growth as the base of the ruling shogun, to...

In episode one of our series exploring the great historical cities of Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas, travel writer Paul Bloomfield is joined by Professor Elizabeth Horodowich as they roam along the canals and alleys of Venice. Together they explore its roots in medieval colonies on islands in the lagoon, its blossoming as a powerful trading empire as well as the challenges facing an island...

How have the world’s great cities responded to centuries of exploration, conquest and increasing globalisation? That’s the question driving series three of History’s Greatest Cities, a podcast from HistoryExtra. Travel writer and history buff Paul Bloomfield once again will be joining expert guides with rich local and historical knowledge. Venturing to the great cities of Europe, Africa, Asia and...

In our series exploring the sights and stories of Europe’s most fascinating historic cities, Alexandra Richie takes a deep dive into the pivotal historical episodes of Poland’s capital  In our series exploring the sights and stories of Europe’s most fascinating, enduring and historic destinations, travel journalist Paul Bloomfield is joined by historian and author Dr Alexandra Richie for a tour of...

In our series exploring the sights and stories of Europe’s most fascinating historic cities, Marcus Tanner guides listeners through the rich heritage of Croatia’s second largest city  In our series exploring the sights and stories of Europe’s most fascinating, enduring and historic destinations, travel journalist Paul Bloomfield is joined by author Marcus Tanner for a journey to Split. Together th...

In our series exploring the sights and stories of Europe’s most fascinating historic cities, Pragya Vohra shares the story of a British city that has undergone many transformations through the centuries In our series exploring the sights and stories of Europe’s most fascinating, enduring and historic destinations, travel journalist Paul Bloomfield is joined by historian and medievalist Dr Pragya V...

In our series exploring the sights and stories of Europe’s most fascinating historic cities, Barry Hatton charts the tumultuous ups and downs of the Portuguese city coveted by many and devastated by earthquakes In episode five of our series exploring the sights and stories of Europe’s most fascinating, enduring and historic destinations, travel journalist Paul Bloomfield is joined by author and jo...

In our series exploring the sights and stories of Europe’s most fascinating historic cities, Russell Shorto explores the Dutch capital famed as a centre for trade, art and pleasures of the flesh In episode four of our series exploring the sights and stories of Europe’s most fascinating, enduring and historic destinations, travel journalist Paul Bloomfield is joined by author and journalist Russell...

In our series exploring the sights and stories of Europe’s most fascinating historic cities, Gillian O’Brien delves back through twelve centuries of conflict and cultural prosperity in the Irish capital In episode three of our series exploring the sights and stories of Europe’s most fascinating, enduring and historic destinations, travel journalist Paul Bloomfield is joined by historian and author...

In our series exploring the sights and stories of Europe’s most fascinating historic cities, Thomas Lorman guides us through the ancient, turbulent history of the twin cities straddling the Danube In episode two of our series exploring the sights and stories of Europe’s most fascinating, enduring and historic destinations, travel journalist Paul Bloomfield is joined by historian Dr Thomas Lorman f...

In our series exploring the sights and stories of Europe’s most fascinating historic cities, Catherine Fletcher shares new perspective on the Italian city famed for its art and architecture  In episode one of our series exploring the sights and stories of Europe’s most fascinating, enduring and historic destinations, travel journalist Paul Bloomfield is joined by author and historian Catherine Fle...

Why do some settlements become great centres of international influence, while others languish and ebb away? And how have Europe’s most important urban centres been shaped by geography, climate, resources, individual personalities, collective culture and sheer serendipity?  In series two of our HistoryExtra podcast series, History’s Greatest Cities, travel writer and history buff Paul Bloomfield v...

In this series exploring the sights and stories of Europe’s most historic cities, Paul Cartledge delves back through thousands of years to unearth the glories and trials of the Greek capital In episode eight of this new series exploring the sights and stories of Europe’s most beautiful, intriguing and historic cities, travel journalist Paul Bloomfield is joined by historian and author Professor Pa...

In this series exploring the sights and stories of Europe’s most historic cities, Eleanor Rosamund Barraclough leads an expedition through the Norwegian capital’s lengthy history In episode seven of this new series exploring the sights and stories of Europe’s most beautiful, intriguing and historic cities, travel journalist Paul Bloomfield is joined by historian, author and broadcaster Dr Eleanor...

In episode six of this new series exploring the sights and stories of Europe’s most beautiful, intriguing and historic cities, travel journalist Paul Bloomfield is joined by historian and author Professor Colin Jones for a jaunt around Paris. Together they stroll along boulevards and riverbanks and around the bastions and burial sites of this captivating city, as well as visiting a few places of w...

In episode five of this new series exploring the sights and stories of Europe’s most beautiful, intriguing and historic cities, travel journalist Paul Bloomfield is joined by historian and author Professor Bettany Hughes for a tour of Istanbul. Together they lead us through the streets, mosques, museums, palaces and bazaars of the city, reconstructing the story of this captivating city across the...

In episode four of this new series exploring the sights and stories of Europe’s most beautiful, intriguing and historic cities, travel journalist Paul Bloomfield is joined by author Jules Stewart for a journey around Madrid. They roam the relics of the city’s foundation through to the so-called Reconquista in the 11th century, and consider Madrid’s rise to prominence as the capital of a unified Sp...

In episode three of this new series exploring the sights and stories of Europe’s most beautiful, intriguing and historic cities, travel journalist Paul Bloomfield is joined by classicist Dr Shushma Malik for a quick trip round Rome. Together they lead us through the rise, fall and resurgence of the remarkable city, stopping off at awe-inspiring monuments from the Roman Republic, medieval marvels a...

In episode two of this new series exploring the sights and stories of Europe’s most beautiful, intriguing and historic cities, travel journalist Paul Bloomfield is joined by medieval historian Dr Eleanor Janega for a tour of Prague. They delve into the long and storied past of the Czech capital, visiting castles, cathedrals, silver mines and beer halls along the way, and offer up some top advice f...

In episode one of this new series exploring the sights and stories of Europe’s most beautiful, intriguing and historic cities, travel journalist Paul Bloomfield is joined by historian and author Rory MacLean for a trip around Berlin. They delve into the city’s origins as a medieval settlement before fast-forwarding through the centuries, exploring theatres, churches and nightclubs, and tracing the...