Thread by @archi_tradition

Most cities bulldozed their past to build the future.

But a few never changed—and they’re better for it.

Here’s what 20 timeless towns still get right about urban design…..🧵

Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany

Walled in and untouched since the 1600s, Rothenburg is a living museum of medieval street planning. Narrow lanes, central squares, and walkable design show why this layout still charms visitors today.

Hoi An, Vietnam

This riverside trading port still follows its 16th-century grid, designed for wind, water, and commerce. Its preserved layout makes it one of the most pedestrian-friendly towns in Asia.

Mdina, Malta

Once the capital of Malta, Mdina’s twisting alleys were designed to confuse invaders—and they still work. No traffic, no noise, just golden stone and silence.

York, England

York’s street plan still follows its Roman and medieval origins. Walls, gates, and winding lanes create a city that flows like it did 1,000 years ago.

San Gimignano, Italy

This Tuscan hill town has barely changed since the 13th century. Its layout is compact, defensible, and built around vertical stone towers that still define the skyline.

Eguisheim, France

A near-perfect circle, this Alsatian town grew around a castle and kept its concentric street layout for over 1,000 years. It’s still as navigable and charming as ever.

Sighişoara, Romania

One of Europe’s best-preserved fortified towns, its original towers, walls, and street grid remain intact. It still functions like the medieval stronghold it once was.

Besalú, Spain

Its layout is anchored by a medieval bridge and stone arcades. The streets that served knights and monks still guide tourists today without needing any updates.

Hallstatt, Austria

Trapped between lake and mountain, Hallstatt’s long, narrow shape hasn’t changed in centuries. The layout forces slow travel and that is part of its enduring appeal.

Dinan, France

A medieval fortress town where the ramparts, market square, and timbered homes still align just as they did in the 1300s. Everything you need is a short, scenic walk away.

Óbidos, Portugal

Encircled by medieval walls, its street plan has stayed frozen in time. The narrow, winding lanes promote foot traffic and still support local life today.

Hongcun, China

Planned during the Ming dynasty in the shape of an ox, this village still uses ancient canals for drainage and feng shui. Every home faces inward, fostering community.

Lavenham, England

Once a wool capital, this crooked little town hasn’t realigned a street in 500 years. It’s walkable, intimate, and frozen in Tudor time.

Montagnana, Italy

Still enclosed by massive 14th-century walls, the town layout is unchanged. Markets, churches, and housing remain right where they were planned for defense and daily life.

Sandwich, England

It gave its name to the lunch, but the street map is pure medieval. The old port layout still supports a walkable village core.

Winchelsea, England

One of England’s first planned towns, built on a grid in 1283. It still follows that same design, and it still works.

Sherborne, England

This Dorset town centers around its abbey and market cross, unchanged since the 1500s. School, church, and commerce are all within a short walk.

Wells, England

Europe’s oldest intact residential street, Vicars’ Close, still houses clergy today. The rest of the city follows a walkable medieval pattern centered on its stunning cathedral.

San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Canary Islands

Built in 1496 with straight lines and central plazas, this was the model for many New World cities. It’s still highly livable, and still in use.

The Palouse, USA (Bonus)

This isn't a town but a region. Yet the land, roads, and rural layouts remain largely untouched since settlers first plowed the hills 150 years ago, proof that beauty can be shaped by simplicity.