The Roman Empire played an integral role for the evolution of the Western civilisation and urbanisation of Europe. Here are the most famous European cities to have been established or developed by the Romans.
Liège: The Belgium city of Liège is located in the northwestern parts of the county. It was founded by the Romans (though first appearing in historical sources mid-6th century) and was known as Vicus Leodicus. Today, Liège is considered to be one of Belgium’s most beautiful cities due to its breathtaking architecture and lush green open spaces. The city is home to numerous well-known landmarks including Prince-Bishops’ Palace which dates back to the 16th century. The Liège Cathedral is another high-popular local attraction.
Liège: The Belgium city of Liège is located in the northwestern parts of the county. It was founded by the Romans (though first appearing in historical sources mid-6th century) and was known as Vicus Leodicus. Today, Liège is considered to be one of Belgium’s most beautiful cities due to its breathtaking architecture and lush green open spaces. The city is home to numerous well-known landmarks including Prince-Bishops’ Palace which dates back to the 16th century. The Liège Cathedral is another high-popular local attraction.
Cologne: Cologne is the largest city in the Rhine-Ruhr Metropolitan Area and one of Germany’s most visited and famous cities. The original settlement was established in 38 BC by the Ubii (a Cisrhenian Germanic tribe) and called it Oppidum Ubiorum. The Romans conquered the settlement in 50 AD and renamed it Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensium. Today remains from the Roman era of Cologne can be seen throughout the city. The Cologne Cathedral is the most noted building in the city and attract a total of 20.000 visitors per day. This makes the structure one of the most visited German landmarks.
Florence: Established by Lucius Cornelius Sulla in 80 BC as a settlement for his veteran soldiers, Florence was initially named Fluentia but the name was later corrupted to Florentia. The Piazza della Repubblica which is one of the city’s main landmarks dates back to the first years of the city. At the time it was the site of the Florentia forum and the Temple of Mars. Sadly, all the original buildings that were situated on the plaza were destroyed by a flood in 1333. In present day, Florence is one of Italy’s most popular cities and is visited by millions of people on a yearly basis. The Uffizi Gallery is undoubtedly the main attraction of the city.
Strasbourg: While there is archaeological evidence that the area around Strasbourg has been settled by the proto-Celts since 1300 BC, the city of Strasbourg itself was founded by the Romans in 12 BC. It was the Roman politician Nero Claudius Drusus who decided to establish a military outpost at the city’s current location. The outpost was named Argentoratum and throughout the years it was developed by the Romans. Today, Strasbourg is one of France’s most important cities and is home to the European Parliament which is one of its main landmarks. Several other notable European institutions are also seated in the city.
· The European Court of Human Rights
· The European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines
· The European Audiovisual Observatory
· The European Ombudsman of the European Union
· The European Corps also known as Eurocorps
· The European Court of Human Rights
· The European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines
· The European Audiovisual Observatory
· The European Ombudsman of the European Union
· The European Corps also known as Eurocorps
Geneva: Geneva is the second most populous city in Switzerland and is beyond any doubt the most famous and visited. The city was originally founded by the Alloborges but like many cities of that time was conquered by the Romans in 121 BC. It was them who renamed it to Genava and started urbanisation process. During the Middle Ages the city was still under the rule of the Roman Empire who had Christianised it by the 5th century. Today the city is home to many world famous landmarks and world heritage sites such as the Brunswick Monument, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the International Committee of the Red Cross, the Conservatoire and the Botanical Gardens and more.
London: The English capital was founded by the Romans in 43 AD and was named Londinium. Shortly after its foundation the city was conquered and burned to the ground by Queen Boudica, leader of the Iceni tribe. In the early 2nd century the Romans rebuilt the city and at its peak Londinium had a population of approximately 60.000 people. Today London is one of the most important metropolises not only in Europe but the world and has a population of over 13 million which is constantly growing as people are moving to the city each year, a tendency that is certainly keeping all companies that provide house removal services in London, extremely busy.
London: The English capital was founded by the Romans in 43 AD and was named Londinium. Shortly after its foundation the city was conquered and burned to the ground by Queen Boudica, leader of the Iceni tribe. In the early 2nd century the Romans rebuilt the city and at its peak Londinium had a population of approximately 60.000 people. Today London is one of the most important metropolises not only in Europe but the world and has a population of over 13 million which is constantly growing as people are moving to the city each year, a tendency that is certainly keeping all companies that provide house removal services in London, extremely busy.
Vienna: The Austrian capital was fortified by the Romans in 15 BC and was known as Vindobona at the time. It served the purpose of a frontier city which protected the Empire from the northern Germanic tribes. In 1804 the city was recognised as the capital of the Austrian Empire and quickly became a major European city, a status that Vienna holds to this day. Presently the city is one of the most visited in the world and is home to an abundance of prominent landmarks that attract both local and foreign visitors.
Paris: The Romans captured the Paris basin in 52 BD and built an island garrison camp. By the 2nd century the settlement had expanded into the areas that surrounded the garrison and the city was named by Lutetia Parisiorum. It rapidly became one of the most beautiful and prosperous cities in empire with a forum, temples, theatres, baths and an amphitheatre. By the end of the Roman Empire the city was simply known as Parisius. Today, the French capital is regarded by many to be the most beautiful city on the planet and just like London is a metropolis of significant international importance. The city is home to many famed landmarks such as the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, the Basilica of Sacré-Coeur and numerous more.
Rome: Roma is beyond any doubt the most important city to have been founded by the Romans. It was the capital of the empire (and its birthplace) and is currently one of the oldest still inhabited cities in world. Historians are still debating when exactly was it was established but most of them agree that it was somewhere around the mid-8th century BC. At its peak the ancient city had a population of approximately one million inhabitants. Today Rome is the largest and most populous Italian city. It is also one of the most visited European capitals as it is the home of a multitude of world renowned landmarks such as the Colosseum, Partheon, Castel Sant`Angelo, Trevi Fountain and many, many more.