The Amazing Ancient Walled Cities I visited in Europe
Hello February! The second month of the year is finally here! I guess, many are quite excited especially for those who have already found their special someone to celebrate the so-called “Hearts’ Month”. I don’t occupy myself with this topic now because I am really busy with so many things. lolz! I would rather love to share some travels I did in the past. This time, I will be talking about the most amazing ancient walled cities I visited in Europe.
Don’t you know that there are over a hundred of walled cities to see in Europe? I am glad, I was able to visit some of those amazing cities here. Here are some of these interesting walled cities I visited in the past;
Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany
After spending almost an hour of browsing the albums in my external hard drives, I finally found some of the ancient walled cities in Europe. It took me quite a long time finding these photos since I have over millions of pictures and thousands of albums from my travels to over 40 countries as of now.
I want to bring you first in one of the beautiful walled cities in Germany, the Rothenburg ob der Tauber. This town is located on a plateau overlooking the Tauber River in Bavaria. This is a quintessential German town with its half-timbered construction and cobblestones, which is really worth to visit. The town was founded in 1170 and the fortified wall was built in the 1400s.
Rothenburg ob der Tauber is considered a prosperous, free imperial city in the Middle Ages. Its preserved historical architecture attracts visitors and tourists from all parts of this planet. It is also a setting of many stories and films. Scenes from the two of the “Harry Potter” movie series were filmed in Rothenburg. The town also inspired the artist’s sketches for the village in Walt Disney’s 1940 film “Pinocchio.
When I asked the brother of a friend whom I toured here in 2011, which place he loves most during his visit in Europe, he answered without hesitation, Rothenburg ob der Tauber. No wonder, I also visited this town for five times already.
The walls of Avila
Avila, Spain
The most prominent architectural structure is Avila’s beautifully preserved medieval wall. Built in the 11th century, the spectacular wall and impressive Alcazar and San Vicente gates demonstrate the stature and wealth this fortified town once held in Spanish society. The 10th century Cathedral of Avila is worth to visit including the Four Posts just outside of town for picture-perfect view of the city and the wall.
This town is one of the places I visited in Spain during my travels in 2011 and 2012. The weather that time was so chilly. What can you do with winter season but then, I truly had memorable moments when I visited it with old and news friends from Madrid. I still wish to visit the city again especially in October when they celebrate the month-long Festival of Saint Teresa.
Avila is listed in UNESCO World Heritage since 1985.
Toledo, Spain
Toledo is known as the “Imperial City” for having been the main venue of the court of Charles I, and as the “City of the Three Cultures”, having been influenced by a historical co-existence of Christians, Muslims and Jews. It sits majestically above the Tagus River and now represents one of the most visited sites in all Spain. The history of Toledo dates back to Roman occupation (Toletum) circa 192BCE.
I visited the city in winter 2011 for two days. I went there with my friend and I thank her for going with me or else, I won’t be able to visit it because I will be charged more for single-room fee. It was one of the places we visited during that 8 days trip in Spain especially in the Andalusian region.
Don’t miss to walk and get lost on the narrow alleys of Toledo. For sure, it would be a fun thing to do!
Alcázar of Segovia, said to have inspired Walt Disney.
Segovia, Spain
Another amazing walled city I visited in Spain last 2012. It was quite an adventure when I visited this place. I was asking my friends from Madrid where to take the train going to Segovia. Sad to say, they haven’t visited the place yet even though they already live in Madrid for many years.
I ended up finding it myself. I went to Chamartin train station in Madrid and from there took the AVE high-speed train going to Segovia. The trip took almost half and hour.
Segovia is famous for its Roman Aqueduct and is one of the best preserved in the world. It probably built around 50AD. Its Alcazar, a fairytale castle from the 11th century said to have inspired Walt Disney. Sogovia’s Gothic Cathedral is also worth to visit. The Walls of Segovia existed when Alfonso VI of León and Castile retook the city from the Arabs, who had it enlarged, and had also increased its perimeter to be 3 kilometers, have eight towers, five gates and several doors.
In 1985 the old city of Segovia and its Aqueduct were declared World Heritage by UNESCO.
Carcassonne, France
This is one of the most beautiful walled-city I visited in Europe. Thanks to that group trip I booked in summer of 2013, I was able to experience the city. I did not only experienced many amazing places in France but also met nice people around.
The 2,000 year old Carcassonne is the largest walled city in Europe. It is situated on a hill in Languedoc-Roussillon and also inspired Disney’s castle “The Sleeping Beauty”. Behind its two miles of double rock walls, drawbridges and 50+ watchtowers is a town in 2 parts; above is La Cite,a castle and fortress city, and the larger city below, called La Ville Basse. Its architecture covers Roman and medieval times. For centuries, the fortress was a powerful military stronghold along the then-border of France and Aragon (modern Spain) that also guarded an important trade route between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic coasts.
It is listed in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The Clifford’s Tower in York during my visit in 2008.
York, England
I am missing England! A friend asked me last month when I am visiting UK again. I wish very soon but I need to plan it ahead of time so that I can file for a vacation leave. One of the places I visited in UK during that 3 weeks visit was York. It is a historic walled city at the confluence of the Rivers Ouse and Foss in North Yorkshire, England. The city was founded by the Romans as Eboracum in 71 AD.
York is known as England’s “City of Festivals” as there are regular cultural festivals every year. York is famous for its medieval city walls. Sights to see includes York Minster, Clifford’s Tower, Micklegate Bar Museum, Ruins of St Mary’s Abbey, JORVIK Viking Centre, York Castle Museum and a lot more.
View of the walled-city of Budva, Montenegro during my mini-cruise.
Budva, Montenegro
It was quite a luxury trip when I visited Montenegro’s most famous tourist resort. That trip was indeed very cheap considering the inclusions during the whole travel visiting 4 countries including Montenegro. If I have to count the short stop-over we had in Bosnia-Herzegovina, that would then be 5 countries.
Budva is 2,500 years old, which makes it one of the oldest settlements on the Adriatic coast. It is known for its well preserved medieval walled city, sandy beaches and diverse nightlife. The old town of Budva is adjacent to the marina, where the wealthy come to moor their luxury yachts. The old town is small but beautiful, with restaurants and boutiques selling luxury goods at high prices. The coastal area around Budva, called the Budva Riviera is the center of Montenegrin tourism.
The Marina of Dubrovnik Croatia during my visit last 2013.
Dubrovnik, Croatia
I was inspired to visit Dubrovnik when I saw a photo of my friend who visited this beautiful coastal city of Croatia. She is working in a cruise ship and one of their destinations was Dubrovnik. I told myself, one day I will visit it too. It did came true and I was so happy about it.
Dubrovnik is a stunningly intact walled city on the Adriatic Sea coast of the extreme south of Croatia. It is one of the most prominent tourist resorts of the Mediterranean. According to CNNGo, Dubrovnik is among the 10 best preserved medieval walled cities in the world. In 1979, the city of Dubrovnik joined the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites.
I still visited more walled cities in Europe and so far, the one listed above captured my heart. Before heading up to a major, modern city why not venture off the beaten path to one of these ancient, walled cities especially during summer season and experience Europe’s best secrets!
