logo
episode-header-image
Feb 2023
46m 8s

Berlin

History Extra
About this episode
In episode one of this new series exploring the sights and stories of Europe’s most beautiful, intriguing and historic cities, travel journalist Paul Bloomfield is joined by historian and author Rory MacLean for a trip around Berlin. They delve into the city’s origins as a medieval settlement before fast-forwarding through the centuries, exploring theatres, ... Show More
Up next
Jun 2025
Marrakech
From medieval Islamic roots and conquest by successive dynasties, to French colonial rule and a modern evolution, Marrakech has a rich heritage – and many eye-catching monuments. Travel writer and history buff Paul Bloomfield takes a trip to Marrakech with author and publisher Ba ... Show More
35m 22s
May 2025
Sydney
Travel writer and history buff Paul Bloomfield and historian Laila Ellmoos explore the history of an iconic Australian tourist destination – Sydney. Together they introduce the Aboriginal peoples; traditional owners and custodians of the land on which the city now stands. Laila a ... Show More
33m 44s
May 2025
Beijing
Beijing’s history stretches back many centuries, so how has it survived and become the rapidly changing capital of one of the world's fastest-growing economies? Travel writer and history buff Paul Bloomfield joins writer and broadcaster Jonathan Clements on a journey through Beij ... Show More
26m 21s
Recommended Episodes
Feb 2024
The City of Alexandria
<p>This is the story of a city that laid the foundations for our modern world. Sitting at the intersection of East and West, Alexandria has been home to many of humanity's greatest architectural and cultural achievements, like the famous Lighthouse and the storied Great Library. ... Show More
31m 10s
Aug 2021
83. The Berlin Wall
60 years ago this month, the German Democratic Republic (East Germany) began building a barrier that divided the city of Berlin. It stood until 1989 and came to symbolise the front line of the Cold War. Iain MacGregor, author of "Checkpoint Charlie: The Cold War, the Berlin Wall ... Show More
1h 5m
Jul 2023
Medieval Eastern Europe
<p>From the Baltics to the Balkans, from Prague to Kiev, Eastern Europe is more than the sum total of its annexations, invasions and independence declarations.</p><br><p>In this episode of <em>Gone Medieval</em>, Matt Lewis meets Jacob Mikanowski, author of <em>Goodbye Eastern Eu ... Show More
32m 1s
Feb 2022
The Origins of London
<p>London is today one of the greatest cities in the world, and the story of its origins is fittingly spectacular. Founded by the Romans as Londinium in around 47-50 AD, the metropolis served as a major commercial hub and indeed military target until its abandonment in the 5th ce ... Show More
1 h
Feb 2014
A Real Medieval Mile - A Walk Through Dublin in 1320
<p>What did Dublin sound like in 1320? What was the news of the day? Who were the people who lived there? In this episode you will experience the world of late medieval Dublin. The podcast takes the form of a walk through the city as it was in 1320 where we encounter everything f ... Show More
18m 5s
Apr 2023
The Berlin Wall
After the end of the second world war, Berlin was a divided city controlled by the four major allied powers. Despite the different zones of control, people could move freely between the zones in the city.  However, on August 13, 1961, the East German government decided to end the ... Show More
16m 27s
Dec 2022
Irving Berlin, Part 1
<p>The immeasurably famous Irving Berlin seems like the perfect example of a U.S. immigrant success story. But reality is complicated and imperfect, and so was Berlin’s music-filled life.</p> <p><strong>Research:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Bergreen, Laurence. “Irving Berlin: This Is t ... Show More
36m 30s
Apr 2023
Alexandria: The Sunken City
<p>The Egyptian city of Alexandria was one of the greatest cities of the ancient Mediterranean world. Founded by Alexander the Great himself in 323BC, the metropolis was nurtured by his successors in Egypt, the Ptolemies, and flourished throughout the Late Hellenistic and Roman I ... Show More
36m 47s
Oct 2022
The Rise and Fall of Roman London
<p>In 43 AD, the Romans set up temporary forts along the banks of a river to wait for their Emperor, Claudius, to march onto the enemy capital of Camulodunum (Colchester), and eventually conquer Britain. The river was the River Thames. At the time, it was an area of marshy low-ly ... Show More
1h 1m
Nov 2023
Life on the Medieval Coast
<p>The popular BBC television series <em>Villages by the Sea</em> explores coastal life through the centuries. Its presenter Ben Robinson is an archaeologist with the fantastic job of exploring lost villages and uncovering their secrets, including those that give an insight into ... Show More
41m 8s
Listen to millions of songs and podcasts on Anghami