History's Greatest Cities

How was Edinburgh transformed from an ancient defensive site on top of a volcanic crag into a major centre of power, faith, commerce, and learning? In this second of our two festive bonus episodes, travel writer and history buff Paul Bloomfield is joined by historian Rosemary Goring to visit a city that really lights up at New Year: Scotland’s magnificent capital, Edinburgh. Along the way, they’ll meet some of the colourful characters that shaped the city, and lead listeners through the most captivating historic sites and moments. As well as touching on the colours and sounds of Hogmanay, they’ll sample Edinburgh’s cultural delights, sharing top insider travel tips.

History’s Greatest Cities is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine and HistoryExtra. For more fascinating stories from the past, head to HistoryExtra, the home of ‘History’s Greatest’ podcasts. There you can find other feeds including the HistoryExtra Podcast, History’s Greatest Conspiracy Theories and HistoryExtra Long Reads. Find out more at historyextra.com/podcast.

We'd love to know what you think about the podcast, so leave us a review and let us know the topics you think we should be covering. Or, follow us on Facebook, X, Instagram or YouTube to keep in touch.

You can listen ad-free to this episode and more by subscribing to HistoryExtra Plus here: https://apple.co/4fgRA1d.

This episode was hosted by Paul Bloomfield and produced by Jack Bateman.

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Munich may be well-known for its sparkling, aromatic Christmas markets. But beyond the foaming steins of beer and the wafting aroma of glühwein, it’s also a city that has experienced both greatness and turbulence over more than eight centuries, growing from ecclesiastical beginnings to become today’s fascinating city rich in gothic and baroque architecture. In this first of our two festive bonus episodes, travel writer and history buff Paul Bloomfield is joined by official tour guide Christine Lehner to explore Bavaria’s historic powerhouse. Along the way, they’ll meet some of the colourful characters who shaped the city and visit the most captivating historic sites – including those tempting markets. Plus, they’ll sample some of Munich’s cultural delights, sharing top insider travel tips.

History’s Greatest Cities is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine and HistoryExtra. For more fascinating stories from the past, head to HistoryExtra, the home of ‘History’s Greatest’ podcasts. There you can find other feeds including the HistoryExtra Podcast, History’s Greatest Conspiracy Theories and HistoryExtra Long Reads. Find out more at historyextra.com/podcast.

We'd love to know what you think about the podcast, so leave us a review and let us know the topics you think we should be covering. Or, follow us on Facebook, X, Instagram or YouTube to keep in touch.

You can listen ad-free to this episode and more by subscribing to HistoryExtra Plus here: https://apple.co/4fgRA1d.

This episode was hosted by Paul Bloomfield and produced by Jack Bateman.

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The festive period is upon us, so we’re bringing you two special bonus episodes of History’s Greatest Cities to mark the season, visiting cities with particularly vibrant festive traditions. First, we’re heading to Munich – a city with a long, rich and colourful history, as well as being home to Germany’s largest Nativity Market, redolent with aromas of glühwein and wurst. We’ll also be enjoying the sparkling celebration of Hogmanay in Edinburgh, exploring how the New Year is welcomed in with fireworks, music and a torchlit procession, as well as sharing stories from the Scottish capital’s past.

Episodes will be released on 10 December and 24 December. HistoryExtra Plus subscribers on Apple Podcasts can listen to both episodes ad-free immediately from the 10 December.

History’s Greatest Cities is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine. For more fascinating stories from the past, head to HistoryExtra, the home of ‘History’s Greatest’ podcasts. There you can find other feeds including History’s Greatest Conspiracy Theories and HistoryExtra LongReads. Find out more at historyextra.com/podcast.

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Was the moon landing faked? Did Shakespeare actually pen the works he’s credited with? And were the pyramids really built by aliens? In History's Greatest Conspiracy Theories, the new podcast from HistoryExtra, Rob Attar takes a deep dive into the some of history’s most compelling conspiracy theories in the company of expert historians to uncover if there's any truth behind these murky myths.

Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3Ap2seB

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4ZN5NPAHC9oG0JlHl6V1aK

Listen everywhere else by searching: History's Greatest Conspiracy Theories

You can listen ad-free, access episodes early and more by subscribing to HistoryExtra Plus here: https://apple.co/4fgRA1d.

History's Greatest Cities returns soon!

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In episode eight of our series exploring the great historical cities of Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas, travel writer Paul Bloomfield is joined by Professor Chandrika Kaul as they guide us through the bustling streets, markets, temples, mosques, and forts of Delhi. Together they explore the city's mythical origins, its conquests, as well as rise to cultural and political prominence. They’ll roam the historic sites and monuments that speak of this long and turbulent past, and meet some of the key characters who played important roles in the development of Delhi. Along the way, Chandrika also shares some insider tips to help travelers make the most of their visit to this fascinating city.

History's greatest cities is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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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 making of the city and the characters who played key roles in this story. Along the way, they also suggest places that reveal insights into Cape Town's tumultuous past, as well as sharing top tips for visitors to the modern city.

History's greatest cities is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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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 Islamic sultanates and caliphates shaped what's now the Egyptian capital. They also meet some of the figures who played pivotal roles in the development of the modern city, and discover less known places to visit for insights into its heritage.

History's greatest cities is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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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 major roles in the city’s lifetime and discover lesser-known places to visit for insights into its heritage.

History's greatest cities is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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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 pivotal roles in the city’s growth and discover monuments and sites to visit for insights into its heritage.

History's greatest cities is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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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. They will also introduce some of the figures who played a major role in the development of what's now Mexico City, and discover less known places to visit for insights into its heritage. Along the way, they’ll even offer a few tips and tricks for the eager traveller.

History's greatest cities is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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