From The Eternal City to Auld Reekie, what’s in a name? Check out how these cities got their nicknames, with some fascinating history behind them.
The City That Never Sleeps – New York City
Night owls will love New York City for being The City That Never Sleeps. Some of the city is humming away until the early hours of the morning, or straight through until a new day begins. Frank Sinatra used the moniker in his hit song, ‘Theme from New York, New York’; several subway lines run 24/7, the only city in the world to do so; some eateries stay open all night long; and Times Square is still thriving at 1am!
The Eternal City – Rome
We all know that Rome has one of the most ancient histories in the world. Historically, Romans believed the city would always endure and they weren’t wrong. It has earned its title of The Eternal City having survived plagues, various rulers, empires and Popes, different religions and even corruption.
Venice of the North – Amsterdam
Despite being called the Venice of the North, Amsterdam has more canals than Venice! Its 165 picturesque canals wind their way over 100 kilometres, used for the important tasks of day-to-day living, transport, recreation and tourism. However, Amsterdam isn’t the only Venice of the North – cities like Bruges and Stockholm also have this nickname.
Paris of South America – Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires has taken quintessential French flair and added its own South American twist. Europeans have been emigrating to South America since the 1500’s, with French Argentines now one of the largest ancestry groups in Argentina. This has influenced the city’s architecture and culture so you can be forgiven for thinking you’re in Paris! 9 de Julio is a beautifully wide, tree-lined boulevard, modelled off Champs-Élysées; the iconic Metropolitan Cathedral and Teatro Colón were designed by French architects and engineers; and locals have embraced the French cafe culture with many bodegones featuring sidewalk tables and chairs, perfect for a coffee and alfajores.
Auld Reekie – Edinburgh
Edinburgh has been called Auld Reekie, or Old Smokey, since the 1600’s. It began when coal was used to heat homes in the Old Town. The smoke from the fires combined with the stagnant waters of nearby Nor Loch, covered the city in a thick smog most days. Luckily, this is no longer the case, however the nickname has stuck.
The City of Dreams – Mumbai
With over 21 million people, Mumbai is the most populous city in India, and it certainly packs a punch. It attracts people from all over the world with an incredible range of religions, languages and culture that has influenced its food, art and architecture. It boasts being one of the world’s richest cities, truly making it The City of Dreams or Mayanagari (The City of Limitless Opportunities). The Bombay Stock Exchange is here, as well as head offices of local and international corporates, making it the financial capital of India. Finally, Mumbai is home to the Hindi and Marathi film industries, so Bollywood (and aspiring) stars are based here.
The Lion City – Singapore
Singapore’s nickname hails from a historic tale of a Prince from Palembang, the capital of the Srivijaya Empire in the thirteenth century. He was shipwrecked on the island of Temasek where he thought he saw a lion, so he changed the island’s name to Singa Pura. This translates to Lion City in Malay, and the Singapore that we know today. Singapore’s famous Merlion statue in Marina Bay is a symbol of Singa Pura, and the country’s official mascot.
The Big Easy – New Orleans
The name, The Big Easy, began in the early twentieth century for New Orleans. Back then, many things were regarded as ‘easy’ in this colourful city. It had an easy lifestyle (compared to The Big City of Chicago); it was easy for musicians to find work in clubs and dance halls; and their prohibition laws were also fairly relaxed between 1920 – 1933. The Big Easy is just one of New Orleans’ nicknames though – others also know it as The Crescent City or NOLA.
Discover one of these amazing cities for yourself on a Globus or Cosmos tour, or an Avalon Waterways river cruise.
