14 of the World's Most Historic Villages You Can Still Live In
According to a report issued by the World Health Organization, the world's urban population accounts for roughly 54 percent of the total global population, up 34 percent from 1960. That means of the roughly 7 billion people, nearly 4 billion inhabit major cities such as New York, Paris, and Tokyo, among others. But what about those who not only prefer the quiet life but also desire a location that hasn't been sped up by modernization? AD rounds up 14 of the most historic villages around the world that still are not only livable but happen to be stunningly beautiful as well. From the village of Reine, off the northern coast of Norway, to the bright-blue hues of Júzcar in Andalucía, these charming destinations will surely have you packing your bags for a short (or permanent) stay.
Photo: Getty Images1/14Tende, France
Located roughly 10 miles from the Italian border, the small town of Tende is located within a national park in the French Alps. It's difficult to say when Tende was first founded (some experts believe it was in the late 7th century), but what is known for sure is that prehistoric rock engravings have been found in the surrounding area. The town was built on the side of a mountain, with vineyards in the surrounding hills. Today, less than 3,000 people live in the medieval town.
Photo: Getty Images2/14Ghardaïa, Algeria
Viewed from a distance, the villages within Ghardaïa would appear as if a painting by Picasso found its way to Algeria, and became frozen in time. Indeed, Simone de Beauvoir once described the setting as “a Cubist painting beautifully constructed.” Located in the northern Sahara, this ancient settlement consists of a series of white, pink, and red homes set along a plateau. Founded in 1048 A.D., the village was originally built to defend against nomadic tribes in the region.
Photo: Getty Images/Zhuyufang3/14Český Krumlov, Czech Republic
Located in southern Czech Republic, Český Krumlov is an old town that consists of architecture from the 14th through the 17th century. The structures are built around a bend in the Vltava River, and are predominately designed in charming Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque modes of architecture. In 1992, the Český Krumlov Castle (which was erected in roughly 1240 AD) was a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Photo: Getty Images/iStock4/14Shirakawa-gō, Japan
Situated in central Japan, the village of Shirakawa-gō sits near the peak of Mount Haku in the Ryōhaku Mountains. Built in the 19th century, the village currently has a population of nearly 2,000.
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Photo: Getty Images/Universal Images Group5/14Júzcar, Spain
Roughly an hour's drive north of the Mediterranean Sea is the village of Júzcar. The small Andalusian town includes small buildings that are uniformly painted blue. The current population is fewer than 300 inhabitants.
Photo: Getty Images/iStock6/14Èze, France
The picturesque village of Èze sits on a cliff overlooking the French Riviera. Founded sometime around 2000 B.C., Èze has become a tourist destination for its charming medieval aesthetic and breathtaking views of the nearby water. The current population is roughly 3,000 citizens.
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Photo: Getty Images/iStock7/14Oia, Greece
Situated in the South Aegean Sea is the small village of Oia. This Greek island was first settled in the early 13th century and since then has grown to a population of roughly 1,500 people.
Photo: Getty Images/iStock8/14Reine, Norway
Up near the northern reaches of Norway is the quant fishing village of Reine. Founded in 1743, the cluster of homes is situated over 60 miles north of the Arctic Circle. The current population is just above 300 inhabitants, yet many tourists flock to the village in the winter to witness the Northern Lights.
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Photo: Getty Images/iStock9/14Vlkolínec, Slovakia
Founded in the 14th century, the village of Vlkolínec is almost exclusively made up of wooden architecture. The structures have been painted bright colors, adding to the village's charm. In 1997 Vlkolínec was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Photo: Getty Images/iStock10/14Alberobello, Italy
Another UNESCO World Heritage Site is the village of Alberobello. Situated in southern Italy and built in the 16th century, Alberobello features a style of architecture called a trullo, which is a unique, cone-roofed structure.
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Photo: Getty Images/iStock11/14Bardejov, Slovakia
One of the oldest settlements in Slovakia, the village of Bardejov is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The architecture spans from the 13th, 14th, and 15th centuries, which has allowed archaeologists a firm understanding of how European civilizations planned their spaces.
Photo: Getty Images/Danita Delimont12/14Bibury, England
Bibury is a village situated in south-central England, some 40 miles east of the Bristol Channel. Beloved for its 17th-century stone cottages, a picture of Bibury can be seen on the inside cover of every U.K. passport.
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Photo: Getty Images/a_Taiga13/14Hallstatt, Austria
The village of Hallstatt is nestled in Austria's mountainous Salzkammergut region. Nearly 40 miles from the German border, Hallstatt is comprised of beautiful 16th-century Alpine structures that sit along a picturesque lake.
Photo: Getty Images/Sean Pavone Photo14/14Tallinn, Estonia
In the center of Estonia's capital city, Tallinn, is a walled village commonly referred to as Old Town. Among its many old-world charms is a 13th-century town hall, which boasts a 210-foot tower.
