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History's Greatest Cities

by History Extra

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Latest episodes

Tunis

May 11, 2026 · 38 min

To delve into the history of Tunis – and the ancient city of Carthage that preceded the modern Tunisian capital – travel writer Paul Bloomfield is joined by classicist and archaeologist Dr Eve MacDonald. Together, they explore theatres…
Vienna

May 4, 2026 · 38 min

Vienna has long been a pivotal location in European history, shaping imperial politics, hosting landmark diplomatic negotiations, and nurturing artistic, cultural and intellectual movements that spread throughout the continent. In this…
Kyoto

April 27, 2026 · 49 min

Kyoto stands as Japan’s thousand-year imperial heart, in which courtly ritual, Buddhist thought, and architectural artistry crystallised into the nation’s cultural centre. In this episode, travel writer and history buff Paul Bloomfield is…
Boston

April 20, 2026 · 39 min

As one of the oldest cities in the United States, Boston played a pivotal role in the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War, as well as the signing of the Declaration of Independence that followed. In this episode of History’s…
Siena

April 13, 2026 · 52 min

Siena stands as a brick-and-marble time capsule of the Middle Ages, where banking ambition, artistic revolution, and fierce civic identity fused into one of the great medieval Italian city states. Travel writer and history buff Paul…

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Glasgow

April 6, 2026 · 30 min

Glasgow, once the beating heart of Scotland’s industry and trade, forged a legacy of innovation and culture that still shapes the modern nation. In this episode of History’s Greatest Cities, travel writer and history buff Paul Bloomfield…
Samarkand

March 30, 2026 · 29 min

Travel writer and history buff Paul Bloomfield is joined by author Bradley Mayhew to explore Samarkand, the ancient Uzbek city and major hub on the Silk Roads. Together, they trace more than two millennia of history, from its ancient…
Kraków

March 24, 2026 · 43 min

Serving as a medieval royal capital, Kraków was a vibrant historical centre of culture, learning and commerce, symbolising the region’s political and intellectual life for centuries. In this episode, travel writer and history buff Paul…
2026’s must-visit historical destinations

January 6, 2026 · 31 min

Thinking about booking a big historical trip in 2026? In this bonus episode of History’s Greatest Cities, travel writer and history buff Paul Bloomfield is joined by Tom Hall, vice president at Lonely Planet, to explore the best locations…
Bath

December 9, 2025 · 32 min

As celebrations for the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen's birth unfold, we're exploring one of the places she called home: Bath. In this special episode, travel writer and history buff Paul Bloomfield is joined by Bath-based historian and…
Marrakech

June 2, 2025 · 35 min

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…
Sydney

May 26, 2025 · 34 min

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…

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About the show

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 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/