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A Page from the Past: Europe’s Most Historic Hoods
Central London is full of historic statues that celebrate the United Kingdom's storied past.
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Aug 21, 2013 — Winston Churchill once said, “Study history, study history. In history lies all the secrets of statecraft.”
The legendary United Kingdom prime minister was right to note that the key to living in the present can be found in the past. Nowhere in the world better exemplifies this idea than Europe. Sometimes called the Old World, this continent is full of neighborhoods that wear their respective yesteryears like flattering wardrobes.
Central London is home to famed public space Trafalgar Square, where a number of impressive statues and sculptures celebrate notable bygone times. The area connects past and present at entertainment hubs like Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square, where museums meet popular show venues, bars, and clubs.
Meanwhile in Venice, San Marco boasts an ancient, beautiful, and eponymous Basilica. The exquisite destination is perfect for an intimate moonlit stroll, nighttime photo, or a laid-back evening of people-watching – all of which aid tourists and locals in writing a page of their own history books.
Nearly every structure on Unter den Linden, the main boulevard in Berlin’s Mitte hood, had a front-row seat to the historic happenings of Germany’s past. Known for separating East and West Berlin during the Cold War, the area experienced a renaissance once the Wall came down and has been burgeoning with culture ever since.
Whether you’re still in school or not, it won’t hurt to study the following list of historic European neighborhoods. You might just learn a cool secret, or two.
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Mitte
Mitte (“Center”) was best known during the Cold War for its three border control points demarcating East and West Berlin, including the infamous Friedrichstraße Crossing Point, a.k.a. “Checkpoint Charlie.” Once the Wall came down, the neighborhood underwent an artistic renaissance, as derelict buildings became home to local art galleries, edgy. . . more -
Central London
Central London is a bit of an anachronism, as its boundaries are ill-defined and often blend with Covent Garden to the east and Mayfair to the west. At its core, however, Central London contains some of the city’s most popular tourist districts, as well as a large number of commercial and industrial firms. That means the area is continually. . . more -
Nieuwe Zijds
A historic area popular with many visitors to the city, the Nieuwe Zijds neighborhood is also home to some of Amsterdam’s most well-known coffeeshops and a booming nightlife centered along Spuistraat and Haarlemmerstraat. Known as the “squatter ’hood” due to its population of young liberal types who participate in everyday society but often. . . more -
Barri Gòtic
Barcelona’s oldest district is by no means its dullest, and thanks to its winding medieval streets and star attractions like La Seu Cathedral and Plaça del Rei, residents and visitors of all ages and nationalities keep Barri Gòtic buzzing both day and night. Rife with pubs, bars, and restaurants, the neighborhood offers plenty of options. . . more -
Bastille / Oberkampf - 11eme
Originally the site of a prison that was famously stormed in the eighteenth century, marking the beginning of the French Revolution, the Bastille neighborhood now teems with bars lined up one after the other, as well as tons of late-night pizza and the ubiquitous Paris falafel stands. These days, a trendy younger crowd of hipsters,. . . more -
San Marco
Piazza San Marco, the historic square that is home to the glorious Basilica San Marco and Palazzo Ducale, is the center of activity for art, commerce, and cultural tourism, and has thus shaped the incredibly rich neighborhood of San Marco. At night, the crème de la crème of Venice dress to the nines and splurge at the swanky restaurants,. . . more -
Santa Maria Novella
An incredibly diverse corner of Florence, Santa Maria Novella is home to many quiet cafés, neighborhood pubs, and riverside wine bars, not to mention a couple of raging discos and some biker bars that add a touch of edgy energy to the area’s otherwise laid-back vibe. Stretching from the magnificent façade of the Basilica di Santa Maria. . . more -
La Latina / Lavapiés
Located on the southern edge of historical Madrid just a few blocks from the Royal Palace, La Latina and neighboring Lavapiés are easily some of the most authentic and traditional neighborhoods in the city. The medieval walls and cobblestone streets form a charming labyrinth that confuses even lifelong residents – but of course, getting lost. . . more -
Monti
Originally formed by four hills from which it takes its name, the neighborhood of Monti features picturesque sloping streets that combine to create a hip little district with pricey shops, charming lanes and ivy-covered walls, numerous Italian and ethnic restaurants, and plenty of chic bars and cafés. By night, the outdoor patios draw groups. . . more -
Lehel
A stone’s throw north east of the City Center, Lehel is the oldest Munich suburb; a relatively peaceful district on the banks of the Isar that was officially incorporated into the city grid way back in the 1720s. As such, there’s no shortage of historic buildings to be found within its borders, many of which are home to top museums like The. . . more
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