When you think of the Medieval Period, extravagant European castles come to mind. However, other cities throughout the world were just as prosperous. They experienced rapid population growth, amazing architectural feats, and innovations in the arts and sciences. Some structures that were built during that time remain, preserving the city’s rise to prominence. Here are the 10 greatest cities that emerged from the medieval period.
Kaifeng
During the Medieval Period, Kaifeng in China was a thriving metropolis with close to a million residents. During the Song Dynasty, the city served as the northern capital. The Iron Pagoda (pictured above) with its intricate carvings and glazed brick still stands as a reminder that Kaifeng was once the largest city in the world.
Angkor
The Angkorian period of the Khmer Empire in modern-day Cambodia lasted from the 9th to the 15th centuries. During that time, Angkor was a sprawling medieval city with sophisticated infrastructure, including roads and canals. At its height, nearly a million people lived in the urban complex. Angkor Wat (pictured above) was a religious monument dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu. Today, tourists can still visit the structure to see it in all its glory.
Constantinople
Constantinople was a wealthy city that connected trade routes between Europe and Asia. A stronghold of the Byzantine Empire during the Middle Ages, the city was a significant cultural hub where magnificent structures, such as the Hagia Sophia (pictured above), were erected. The building was a cathedral, then later became a mosque. Visitors can see this architectural wonder and the Byzantines’ lasting footprint in modern-day Turkey.
Baghdad
Baghdad in modern-day Iraq served as the capital of the Abbasid Caliphate during what has become known as the Islamic Golden Age. Its location intersected major trade routes, including the Silk Road, which made Baghdad a bustling marketplace. Mustansiriya Madrasah, an Islamic law college, was built in this great city and is now being restored as a part of al-Mustansiriya University.
Hangzhou
While Kaifeng was the northern capital during the Song Dynasty, Hangzhou was the southern capital. The city prospered as a trading hub, particularly for its silk production. Marco Polo, the famous Venetian explorer, described it as “beyond dispute the finest and noblest city in the world.” The Phoenix Mosque (pictured above) was one of the earliest mosques built in China; it serves as a reminder of a great Medieval city.
Paris
Paris was an epicenter for innovation, particularly in the arts and sciences. The University of Paris fostered brilliant minds and architectural marvels like the Notre Dame Cathedral (pictured above). But all that urban development had a downside. Diseases like the Bubonic Plague spread like wildfire, decimating the population. Luckily, Paris prevailed and continued to be a cultural hub for many years.
Venice
Meanwhile, to the south, Venice became a large trading center known for its extravagant wealth and urban growth. The republic developed a revolutionary approach to combat disease, something that we are all familiar with now: quarantine. Beautiful architecture like Doge’s Palace (pictured above) survives to give us a glimpse into the power of its wealthy merchant class.
Milan
Another modern-day Italian city emerged as a trading hub, becoming one of the largest cities at the time. Much like Venice, the city asserted its independence from the Holy Roman Emperors and became a city-state. Powerful families like the Sforza family, for which we have the opulent Sforza Castle pictured above, had a great influence on the hub’s urban development.
Florence
Yet another modern-day Italian city emerged as a center for cultural and scientific advancements. Florence, as a republic, became the birthplace of the Renaissance, a period of brilliant innovation that pulled humanity out of the Dark Ages and into a new era. Impressive buildings like the Florence Cathedral (pictured above) were erected during the economic and intellectual boom.
Delhi
The last greatest medieval city on our list is Delhi, located in India. While the metropolis lasted through different dynasties and empires, the architecture displayed an unrivaled opulence. The incredible Qutb Minar was erected as a “victory tower” following the victory over a Hindu ruler. Remarkably, the structure was completed after successive dynasties took over. Which medieval city do you think was the greatest?
