History's Greatest Cities

History's Greatest Cities

Travel writer and history buff Paul Bloomfield will be joining expert guides with rich local and historical knowledge. Venturing to the great cities of Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas, they'll explore centuries-long stories of foundation and growth, and examine how contact between continents shaped these far-flung places. Along the way, they'll introduce the colourful characters who played pivotal roles in the development of these cities, and lead listeners through the must-visit palaces, temples, bazaars and, of course, bars and restaurants. And, our experts will also share insider tips to help visitors discover hidden facets of each fascinating destination. 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://historyextra.supportingcast.fm/

Episodes

Marrakech

June 2, 2025 • 37 mins
From medieval Islamic roots and conquest by successive dynasties, to French colonial rule and a modern evolution, Marrakech has a rich heritage – and many eye-catching monuments. Travel writer and history buff Paul Bloomfield takes a trip to Marrakech with author and publisher Barnaby Rogerson – heading through the souks and alleys of the ancient Medina, past tanneries, mosques and the Islamic madrasas. Along the way, they also mee...
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Sydney

May 26, 2025 • 35 mins
Travel writer and history buff Paul Bloomfield and historian Laila Ellmoos explore the history of an iconic Australian tourist destination – Sydney. Together they introduce the Aboriginal peoples; traditional owners and custodians of the land on which the city now stands. Laila also highlights the spectacular natural harbour that attracted the attention of British navigators and colonisers and discusses the settlement’s transformat...
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Beijing

May 19, 2025 • 28 mins
Beijing’s history stretches back many centuries, so how has it survived and become the rapidly changing capital of one of the world's fastest-growing economies? Travel writer and history buff Paul Bloomfield joins writer and broadcaster Jonathan Clements on a journey through Beijing’s extraordinarily lengthy history, exploring its walls, palaces, bridges, and historic neighbourhoods. Along the way, they’ll meet some of the figures ...
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Kingston

May 12, 2025 • 39 mins
From early Taino inhabitants to Spanish colonisation and capture by the British, through the era of the transatlantic slave trade up to independence and the growth of the modern city, Kingston is a city with lots of legacies. Travel writer and history buff Paul Bloomfield and historian Audra A Diptree explore the major turning points in the Jamaican capital’s history, seeking out places where they can catch a glimpse of those pivot...
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Buenos Aires

May 5, 2025 • 38 mins
Buenos Aires is a diverse and multinational city with a short but vibrant history. In this episode, academic Jason Wilson leads travel writer and history buff Paul Bloomfield through the barrios of the Argentine capital to uncover what makes it so fascinating. Together they revisit the founding of the settlement by European colonisers and discuss the waves of development and further immigration that created the great polyglot metro...
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New York City

April 28, 2025 • 46 mins
Historian Kara Schlichting leads travel writer and history buff Paul Bloomfield through the diverse stories of the city which we now know as the ‘Five Boroughs’ – New York City. Together, they introduce the indigenous peoples who first utilised the area, and the Europeans who established settlements. They explore the expanding horizons of Manhattan Island and beyond, discussing trade, slavery, conflict, transport, communications, a...
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Antwerp

April 21, 2025 • 37 mins
Michael Pye roams the streets of the Belgian city dominated by a medieval fortress and graced by Baroque, Gothic and Renaissance monuments Renowned for its busy port and leading role in the diamond trade, Antwerp's story has plenty of booms and busts that shaped both its physical form and its psyche. Historian and author Michael Pye leads travel writer and history buff Paul Bloomfield around Flanders’ leading city, virtually explo...
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Barcelona

April 14, 2025 • 42 mins
Barcelona may be well known for the bustling La Rambla, Gaudi's soaring Sagrada Família and, of course, its lively bars and restaurants, but that’s not all there is to there is to the historic Spanish city. Travel writer and history buff Paul Bloomfield joins historian Andrew Dowling to explore not just the iconic thoroughfares and medieval gothic quarter, but also the less-visited sites that speak of pivotal episodes and eras, or ...
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History's Greatest Cities | Season 4

April 7, 2025 • 1 min
How did the world’s greatest cities become just that – great? Was it location, determination or simple serendipity? This is the question behind History’s Greatest Cities, from HistoryExtra. Join travel writer and history buff Paul Bloomfield for the latest series, as he ventures to great cities in Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia and the Americas – all in the company of expert guides with rich local and historical knowledge. Along...
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Introducing History's Greatest Battles | New Podcast

February 26, 2025 • 1 min
Vicious civil wars. Gruelling sieges. Rebellious provinces, galling betrayals and tribes seeking revenge… Join us for the first series of History’s Greatest Battles, where we’re heading back to the Roman empire. Emily Briffett is joined by historian Dr Adrian Goldsworthy to look back at five of the most fascinating clashes of this ancient civilisation, taking in the action blow by blow and identifying the major moments and key comm...
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Edinburgh

December 23, 2024 • 41 mins
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 charact...
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Munich

December 9, 2024 • 38 mins
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 ...
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History's Greatest Cities | Festive Specials

December 9, 2024 • 1 min
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 Hogmana...
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Introducing History's Greatest Conspiracy Theories

October 28, 2024 • 1 min
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://appl...
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Delhi

July 19, 2024 • 29 mins
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 monume...
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Cape Town

July 12, 2024 • 53 mins
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 character...
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Cairo

July 5, 2024 • 42 mins
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 shape...
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Granada

June 28, 2024 • 43 mins
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 a...
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Québec City

June 21, 2024 • 42 mins
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 ...
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Mexico City

June 14, 2024 • 55 mins
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 th...
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