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Some of the most beautiful & well-preserved Medieval Cities in Europe

Ian Harvey

Europe was a bustling place in medieval times. Today, across Europe, besides the upheavals and world wars, some cities have retained their medieval charm and architectural features.

Here are some preserved places to visit across Europe:

 Edinburgh, the Scottish capital since the 15th century

This city has two parts – the Old Town with its medieval fortress and the New town that has been developed since the 18th century.  The two different areas give a unique character to the city.  The old town contains 16th and 17th century noble and merchant houses that worth a visit.

The streets are in the medieval fishbone pattern, with narrow streets and courts leading from the High Street. The new town has a concentration of neo-classical buildings combined with gardens which form private and public open spaces.

 Eze is a medieval town built in the Alps, France

This place is considered as the only authentic medieval city in the Alps.  The area has been inhabited since 2000 BC; it was occupied by both the Romans and the Moors.

View from the Grand Corniche
View from the Grand Corniche

The oldest building is the Chapelle de la Sainte Croix from 1306.  Eze is a “museum village” as its main income comes from tourism

Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany

Rothenburg is a well-preserved medieval town in the Franconia region, Bavaria in Germany.

The name means “Red fortress above the Tauber” due to the town’s position above the Tauber River and that the roofs are traditionally red.

Plönlein with Kobolzeller Steige and Spitalgasse
Plönlein with Kobolzeller Steige and Spitalgasse

The city’s rich history shows the many medieval features that can be seen today.  The weir system that you can see in the Rothenburg castle gardens was constructed in 950 by the Count of Comburg-Rothenburg.  The city itself was founded in 1170 when Staufer Castle was built, but unfortunately, it was destroyed in 1356 in an earthquake.  Its St. Blaise chapel is all that has remained.

The city itself has appeared in many fantasy movies such as Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and some of the Harry Potter series.  The town has a Criminal Museum which displays all the punishment and torture devices used in medieval Europe. The ancient city wall still stands, surrounding the entire city.  The buildings inside this wall reflect the town’s medieval character.

Mont Saint Michel, a tiny town sitting on a rock formation off France’s northern coastline

Once a place of Christian pilgrimage, Mont Saint Michel was supposedly built at the request of the Archangel Michael. As a home of a great abbey, it has attracted thousands of pilgrims over the years.

The Abbey was also a place of learning, attracting not only some of the best minds in Europe but also some of the best manuscript illuminators.

Mont Saint-Michel as viewed along the Couesnon River in Normandy, France
Mont Saint-Michel as viewed along the Couesnon River in Normandy, France

Initially,  the island city could be reached only at low tide, but a causeway has been created and made the city more accessible. Car parking can be found at a considerable distance to help to preserve the city, but buses run daily, or you can get a ride in a horse-drawn carriage.  Most of the medieval buildings have been converted and include a hotel, shops, and restaurants.

 Prague, Czech Republic

For a long time, Prague has been a cultural, political, and economic center in Europe.  It was founded in the Romanesque period while it flourished during the Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque periods.

Prague has been a capital city and served as a home to many Holy Roman Emperors.

Cityscape view on the clock tower and Tyn cathedral on the old square in Prague.
Cityscape view on the clock tower and Tyn cathedral on the old square in Prague.

It has had a significant role in reformations and wars and was the home of many attractions that survived both World Wars. Tourist sights include the Charles Bridge, Prague Castle, the Jewish Quarter, Vysehrad, and Old Town Square. The city has over ten major museums, galleries, theaters, and cinemas. It has a convenient public transport system and one of the most visited cities in Europe. Its old architectural features include Romanesque, Rococo, Neo-Gothic, Cubist, and Baroque.

20. Siena, Italy

It is a visually Gothic city that appeared during the 12th and 15th centuries.  The city was designed to be a work of art that blended into the landscape.

It was created on three hills that were connected by three streets that would form a Y shape.

To appreciate the Gothic style that this city embodies, you need to look at the Sienese arch.  Something else to see while you are here are the city’s fountains that are still being fed from the original tunnels.

 San Gimignano, Italy

This Tuscan town was a relay point for pilgrims traveling to and from Rome. The families who controlled the town showed off their wealth by building tower houses; 14 of the 72 constructed buildings have passed the test of time.

Beautiful view of the medieval town of San Gimignano, Tuscany, Italy.
Beautiful view of the medieval town of San Gimignano, Tuscany, Italy.

The town has retained its feudal appearance, and it has grown around two main squares. At one point, the population declined significantly due to famine and plague in the 14th century.  The declining population was the reason why the town stands so well today, as it never suffered from any urban renewal after the Middle Ages.

 Carcassonne, France

Carcassonne is an example of a medieval fortified town, with massive defenses that circle the surrounding buildings and the castle.

Old castle of Carcassonne
Old castle of Carcassonne

The site has been occupied since the pre-Roman era, initially as a fortified settlement.  Its walls are covered in towers, and you can walk along them and view the city.

The city has a very well-maintained Gothic cathedral that has been restored and maintained over the centuries.

 York, England

York is a walled city in North Yorkshire, England, sitting where the rivers Ouse and Foss meet.

Founded by Romans in 71 AD, it has grown over the centuries, first as a wool trading center, and later as the home to Guy Fawkes.

Shambles is probably the most famous street in York. Shambles has been a Shopping street since Tudor times and remains almost unchanged to this day and attracts tourists in the thousands.There are people in the scene but none of them are recognisable due to a slow shutter speed. Although the sky is white it was almost the last light of the day. The street was very dark and the lights were coming on.
Shambles is probably the most famous street in York. Shambles has been a Shopping street since Tudor times and remains almost unchanged to this day and attracts tourists in the thousands.There are people in the scene but none of them are recognisable due to a slow shutter speed. Although the sky is white it was almost the last light of the day. The street was very dark and the lights were coming on.

The city is lined with narrow roads that are traffic-free, and it is thought that one of them was the inspiration for the Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter books. York has been the home of many cultures, and both the Roman and Viking cultures can be seen today in buildings, walls, and gates.

Colmar, France

Founded back in the 9th century, it is a quaint city of half-timbered houses and canals.  In the city center, there are many buildings from different historical periods. Other notable places to visit are the churches, the Unterlinden Museum, and the Oeuvre Notre-Dame Art Museum.

Town of Colmar
Town of Colmar

It is a major wine-producing district; even in the Middle Ages, it was sending its port all across Europe.

Saint Paul de Vence, France

It is one of the oldest ancient towns situated on the French Riviera.  The city has medieval walls that encircle its streets.  There are eleven important sites to be seen in the city.

The famous village of Saint Paul de Vence, France
The famous village of Saint Paul de Vence, France

The keep, which is from the 13th century, is all that is left of the Chateau, as it was slowly demolished over the 16th-17th century.  An old bell that was cast back in 1443 is still standing in the tower of the chateau.

Monsanto, Portugal

Situated in the Northern Portuguese hills, the town was taken back from the Moors in 1165 by King Denis I.

This place is considered to be living museum as it hasn’t changed over the years. There are red-roofed cottages, tucked against and under boulders.

Monsanto village view with the bell tower / Portugal / Europe
Monsanto village view with the bell tower / Portugal / Europe

Some of the boulders even have doors and have been hollowed out to hold structures that fit snugly into the landscape.  It is a charming and unique village.

 Hallstatt, Austria

The area of Salzkammergut, where Hallstatt was built, has been inhabited since prehistoric times.  Salt deposits were a valuable resource in this area, and salt was harvested until the 20th century.

Hallstatt
Hallstatt

In 1750, the town of Hallstatt needed to be rebuilt after the fire had destroyed the timber buildings. It was rebuilt in a late Baroque style.  The settlement has existed since the Bronze Age and is considered a rich alpine historical area.

Cinque Terre, Italy

Located on the Ligurian coast, Cinque Terre is a village that has passed the test of time.

Built on an uneven and steep terrain, the village is a range of beautifully colored buildings that add to the area’s charm.

Famous “Cinque terre” in Liguria, Monarola
Famous “Cinque terre” in Liguria, Monarola

This is a medieval town which has fortifications that were added back in the Middle Ages and helped in the protection of the populace from pirate attacks. This area of coastline has been occupied for thousands of years.

Chester, England

The town of Chester, which began as a Roman outpost, is situated in the northwest of England.  Over time it grew into a regional power.

The town has the quaint black and white half-timber houses, which are a common sight in Germany.

Chester
Chester

The Duke of Westminster owns a large part of Chester and has worked hard to make sure that the medieval and Roman features are maintained.  You can walk along the ancient city walls and through the gates that have been restored.

Vitre, France

Located in Brittany, France, this town used to be very important.  It has a 16th-century strange town look and a fairytale castle that will delight you. The castle houses a museum which is open to tourists.

Old town in Europe at sunset with retro vintage Instagram style filter and lens flare effect
Old town in Europe at sunset with retro vintage Instagram style filter and lens flare effect

The town itself has the lovely half-timbered houses that were built by merchants. Outside the walls, there are stone cottages that have been constructed on the slopes.

6. Nottingham, England

Not only that this town is connected to the legends of Robin Hood, but it is also known for its lace making.

The city has been around before the invasion of the Anglo-Saxons.  The castle was built in 1068 on the River Leen. The original site of the settlement can be found on the place of today’s lace market.

Nottingham, England – May 17, 2016: Various people sitting, walking, visiting in the main Market Square, Nottingham Council House building behind.
Nottingham, England – May 17, 2016: Various people sitting, walking, visiting in the main Market Square, Nottingham Council House building behind.

The Castle was once occupied by the people who supported Prince John, including the Sheriff of Nottingham. Off to the north is Sherwood Forest, which is a royal forest often mentioned in the tales of Robin Hood.

 Avila, Spain

Created in the 11th century to protect the Spanish from the Moors, this place has an impressive city wall that has nine gates and 82 semicircular towers.

Churches and stone structures along the 12th-century city walls that surround Ávila, Spain. The walls and old city are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Churches and stone structures along the 12th-century city walls that surround Ávila, Spain. The walls and old city are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The wall dates back to 1090, and it is 3 meters thick and still fully intact. Inside the city, there is a Gothic cathedral, Romanesque churches, and convents.  To get into the city, you need to enter through one of the nine gates.

 Bamberg, Germany

In this city, people had built the town hall in the middle of the river and then built bridges to connect it to the rest of the city.

This town is known for its beer. It has nine historic breweries and many taverns from the same era.

Back in the Middle Ages,  the city was a fisherman’s settlement, BigBoyTravel reported.

Nuremberg, Germany

Before World War II, this city was one of the most beautiful in Europe. After the many destructions caused by the war, the city was rebuilt.

Historic half-timbered houses in the Weissgerbergasse in Nuremberg
Historic half-timbered houses in the Weissgerbergasse in Nuremberg

Kaiserburg Castle is one of its many attractions.

Read another story from us: Castle Combe: a picturesque medieval village in England and one of the loveliest in the country

Many areas in the castle have been restored.  In the city, there are organized tours of the medieval dungeons that were built in the 1300s, as well as of other historic areas that speak of the history of this old city.

Ian Harvey

Ian Harvey is one of the authors writing for The Vintage News