The Oldest Slavic Cities That Still Exist Today

Many Slavic cities are known for their architecture and cultural heritage. But some stand out because of their age. The cities on our list are thousands of years old. They remember Celtic and Thracian tribes. Romans and Ottomans fought over them. They were burned to the ground and rebuilt again. This is Slavik, here I talk about Slavs and today you'll learn about the oldest Slavic cities. A quick note, in this list we included cities where Slavs did not appear right away. If you want a video about cities that were actually founded by Slavs, write it in the comments and we'll make it. Let's dive in. We start our journey with the first city on our list, Plovdiv. It is the second largest city in Bulgaria with a population of about 385,000. It claims to be the oldest city in Europe as people have lived here for around 8,000 years. The first settlements appeared in the Neolithic era, long before writing was invented. Plovdiv preserves monuments from many different periods, from a Roman theatre and Byzantine mosaics to Ottoman mosques and houses from the Bulgarian National Revival. Just imagine, the city was growing and developing at the same time as the Egyptian pyramids were being built, but it truly flourished during the time of the Thracians. From the 2nd millennium BC, there was a Thracian settlement here and according to the Roman historian Ammianus Marcellinus, it was called Eumopia or Eumelpeada. In 342 BC, the city was captured by Philip II of Macedon, the father of Alexander the Great. He expanded and fortified it and renamed it Philopopolis after himself. The next name came in 45 AD when the city became part of the Roman Empire. It was then called Trimontium, meaning City of Three Hills. Today, Plovdiv still has remains from ancient times, parts of the forum, stadium, theatre, basilica, paths and both public and residential buildings. The ancient theatre, which seats 3,000 people, has been restored and is once again used for performances and festivals. The old city centre is surrounded by remains of a stone Thracian fortress. At the end of the 4th century, the city became part of the Byzantine Empire and in the 9th century, under the name Puldin, it joined the 1st Bulgarian Empire. This is when the Slavic history of Plovdiv began. The Slavs brought their language, beliefs and way of life. Over time, waves of Slavic tribes settled across the Balkans and gradually changed the city's character. Christian churches appeared next to ancient buildings and Roman fortifications became the foundation for medieval Bulgarian walls. Then came a 5th century period under Ottoman rule. Despite this, the population preserved its Slavic culture, writing system, language and Christian faith. Even under Ottoman authority, people maintained their Slavic identity for 15 generations. From the Ottoman period, mosques such as Jumaya, Tashkopru and Imaret have survived along with ancient baths and one of the oldest clock towers in Europe. From the time of the Bulgarian National Revival, come churches like St. Nedelya, St. Dimitar and St. Marina. In total, more than 200 buildings in Plovdiv are recognized as historical monuments and are protected. At the eastern tip of Crimea, where the Kerch Strait connects the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, lies another incredibly ancient city with a deep and complex history. Modern Kerch is the ancient city of Panticapium, one of the most impressive centers of the northern Black Sea region. It was founded around the 7th century BC by settlers from the Greek city of Miletus. The location was ideal. A convenient bay and Mount Mithridat, rising above the strait, made it possible to build a strong fortress. Panticapium quickly became the capital of the powerful Greek Bosporon Kingdom. At the time, it was a wealthy city and a major center of trade. A grand royal palace stood on top of Mount Mithridat, while its slopes were covered with temples, homes, and public buildings. The city even minted its own coins. The city's fate was difficult. In the 4th century AD, it was struck by the invasion of the Huns, which dealt a devastating blow to the entire ancient civilization of the region. Life in the city faded, but it never disappeared completely. Even on the ruins of Panticapium, some life continued. The Slavs arrived here much later. In the 10th century, when Kievan Rus grew stronger, its interests clashed with those of the Khazar Khaganate, which controlled eastern Crimea and the Azov region. During the campaigns of the Princes of Kiev, especially Svyatoslav I of Kiev, who defeated Khazaria, Kievan warriors appeared in Taman and Kerch. This led to the creation of the Tmutarakan Principality, a distant outpost of Kievan Rus. It was then that ancient Panticapium received its Slavic name – Kerchev. The Slavs did not come here as peaceful peasants, but as warriors and traders, securing control over a key point on the trade route from the Varangians to the Greeks. They built their churches and imposed their culture, reshaping and absorbing the ancient and Khazar heritage, turning this part of Crimea into a Slavic land under the authority of the Kievan prince. In the 13th century, all of Crimea, including Kerch, was conquered by the Mongols and became part of the Golden Horde. In the 14th century, the city became part of the Genoese colonies, and in the 15th century, after their defeat by the Turks, it passed to the Ottoman Empire. The city then went through a long period of decline until the late 18th century, when, after wars between the Russian Empire and the Ottoman Empire, Slavs returned to the region. The 20th century became decisive for the city's full Slavic transformation. During World War II, the Soviet Union deported the Crimean Tatars from the peninsula. In the post-war years, many programs encouraged people to settle there. As a result, Kerch's population grew 4.5 times in the second half of the 20th century, mainly due to Slavic settlers. These events led to the fact that today this ancient city is about 98% Slavic in its population. Our next stop is a beautiful city on the Adriatic coast. The great director Alfred Hitchcock once said that this city has the most beautiful sunsets in the world. Its name is Zadar. This Croatian city is one of the most important historical centers of Dalmatia. As early as the 9th century BC, it was settled by the Illyrian tribe of the Libernians, known as skilled seafarers. They founded a settlement that became an important center of their tribal union. Thanks to its convenient harbor and strategic position on trade routes, it prospered. But the real transformation came in the 1st century BC, when the Roman Empire established a classical Roman city here, calling it Jadar. The Romans gave the city the structure that can still be seen in Zadar's old town today. Regular rectangular streets, a forum, temples, basilicas, and strong defensive walls. Jadar became a thriving Roman colony, an important port, and an administrative center of the province of Dalmatia. The ruins of the Roman forum are still the central square of the city, where a medieval bell tower now stands on ancient stones. The Great Migration period did not pass this region by. In the 6th to 7th centuries AD, the Balkans were first invaded by the Evers, and then, taking advantage of the chaos, Slavic tribes, the ancestors of modern Croats and Serbs, moved in. Slavs also settled around Jadar, and over several centuries, a gradual blending of Roman and Slavic cultures took place. The Croats, after adopting Christianity and entering the sphere of the Western Church, brought their language into the city. The name Jadar transformed into the Slavic Zadar. The city became not just a place where Slavs lived within ancient walls, but a place where Slavic culture and language merged organically with classical and early Christian heritage. Later, Zadar spent a long time under the rule of the Republic of Venice, but this did not fundamentally change its ethnic composition. Today, Zadar is overwhelmingly populated by Slavs, although its architecture still reflects the many different cultures that have passed through the city. Let's move to the very heart of Serbia, where the Blue Danube meets the Sava, stands Belgrade. It is the largest city on our list, with a population of about 1.8 million. This ancient city has been destroyed and rebuilt dozens of times. But before we continue, a quick reminder, you can support us on Patreon or right here on YouTube. Your support really matters to us. Let's continue. The story of Belgrade begins in the 3rd century BC, when the tribe of the Skordisci founded a settlement here and called it Singidunum. The Celts were skilled builders and warriors. They recognized the strategic value of the high riverbank and built strong fortifications that controlled key waterways. In the 1st century BC, the Roman Empire arrived in the Balkans. The legions of Augustus captured the city and turned it into one of the main strongholds of the province of Upper Mysia. The Romans reshaped the city in their own style. A military camp, a forum, baths, and an aqueduct were built. For centuries, Singidunum served as a reliable shield of the empire against barbarian invasions. Because it was a frontier fortress, Singidunum became a target for many tribes as the Roman Empire began to decline. In the 5th century, the city endured dozens of sieges until, in 441, it was taken and burned by the Huns. After that, it was captured again and again by the Byzantine Empire, the Sarmatians, the Ostrogoths, and the Japids. The city constantly changed hands. The Byzantine emperor Justinian I tried to strengthen it with powerful walls, but even that could not save it from the Evers and the Slavs. During the great Slavic migrations into the Balkans, Serbian tribes reached the Danube. They found the ruins of the once great Roman city already damaged and largely abandoned. What attracted the Slavs was the same thing that had once drawn the Celts and Romans – the defensible hill at the meeting point of two major rivers. The Slavs gave the city a new name – Belgrade, meaning White City. There are several theories behind the name. It may come from the white limestone walls, or it may symbolize light and beauty. Over time, the Slavic element became dominant. New homes were built over Roman foundations, old roads remained in use, and pagan sanctuaries were replaced by Christian churches after the Serbs adopted Christianity. Later, capturing Belgrade became a key goal for the Ottoman Empire. In 1440, a Turkish army of around 100,000 men laid siege to the city but failed to take it. Fierce battles continued for decades until, in 1521, Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent captured Belgrade. The city then spent centuries under Ottoman rule. Yet, it preserved its Slavic identity, language, and orthodox faith. Despite its turbulent history, the population of Belgrade today is overwhelmingly Slavic. The next city on our list is Ptuj, a town in Slovenia. Its history begins with a Celtic settlement, but it truly flourished under Roman rule. In the 1st century AD, at the key crossroads of trade routes connecting Italy with the Balkans and the Baltic, the Roman Empire founded the city of Petovio. It was primarily a military camp and a base for legions guarding the empire's borders. Around the camp, a civilian settlement grew, with luxurious villas, baths, temples, and a large theater. The fate of Petovio was dramatic. It suffered constant raids from barbarian tribes, and in 4th to 5th centuries AD, during the Great Migration period, the city was completely destroyed by the Huns. Life faded away, leaving behind impressive ruins. The Slavic ancestors of the Slovenes arrived in the Drava valley in the 6th to 7th centuries. Like elsewhere, they looked for safe and practical places to settle. When they saw the hill with the remains of strong Roman walls, they realized it was perfect for defense. The city received its Slavic name Ptuj. The lower town spread at the foot of the hill, while at the top, right on the ruins of the Roman castrum, the Slovenes built their castle. Ptuj has long been known as a center of winemaking. Its moderately continental climate and fertile soil have supported the cultivation of excellent grape varieties since ancient times. The town is also famous for Kurentovanie, an ancient pagan carnival. By the way, you can check out our video about this and other similar festivals. Of course, these are not all the old cities later settled by Slavs, but we tried to choose the most ancient ones. Let us know in the comments which other city you think deserves a place on this list. If you enjoyed this story, be sure to watch our video about the most beautiful Slavic cities. And check out our channel, we have a lot of interesting content. Give us a like, subscribe and see you in the next video.