Running in the footsteps of the great ports: 8 cities shaped by the sea

Since ancient times, ports have been much more than simply places where ships dock. They are gateways to the world, meeting points where goods, travellers, ideas and cultures flow. Some cities even owe their wealth, their influence and, at times, their very identity to them. From the Mediterranean to the shores of the Pacific, major ports have shaped the upheavals in global trade and brought together continents once separated by oceans. In this new episode of ‘Running in the Footsteps of…’, JOOKS takes you on a journey to discover eight cities whose history has been shaped by the rhythm of the tides and the ships.

Genoa – A Mediterranean maritime power

A city that owes its power to the sea

Our journey begins in the Mediterranean, where Genoa established itself as one of Europe’s major maritime powers as early as the Middle Ages.

From the 11th century onwards, the Ligurian city developed a commercial and military fleet that enabled it to establish a growing number of trading posts around the Mediterranean and as far as the Black Sea. Genoa thus became a major hub for the trade in spices, silk and numerous goods from the East. The palaces and narrow streets of its historic centre still bear witness to this prosperity. As you run with JOOKS, explore Genoa’s old quarters and discover a city where every turn reminds you of a time when its power was measured by the size of its fleet.

Antwerp – When trade takes on a new dimension

Straddling heritage and modernity, the port is reinventing itself

From the Mediterranean, the major trade routes then led northwards towards Northern Europe, where Antwerp in turn became a key centre for international trade.

In the 16th century, its port capitalised on its location on the Scheldt to welcome merchants from all over Europe. Spices, textiles, precious metals and works of art passed through here, making the city one of the great economic centres of the Renaissance. Whilst its port activity has changed considerably since then, Antwerp remains closely linked to maritime trade. With JOOKS, explore its historic centre, from the Grote Markt to the banks of the Scheldt, and imagine the ships that once unloaded their cargo in the heart of this prosperous city.

Rotterdam – The port in the industrial era

From the Old Port to the Giant of the Seas

As trade expands, ports too must grow in scale: it was in Rotterdam that the modern era of mega-ports truly began.

Thanks to its location on the Meuse and its direct access to the North Sea, the city became a vital hub for European trade. Industrialisation, followed by the opening of the Nieuwe Waterweg canal in the 19th century, enabled ever-larger ships to reach the port directly. Rotterdam then transformed into a vast logistics hub, extending far beyond its historic centre. With JOOKS, discover a city where contemporary architecture stands side by side with traces of the past, and where the skyline remains inextricably linked to maritime activity.

Casablanca – A gateway to the Atlantic

Overlooking the Atlantic, a city on the move

After the major European ports, our maritime journey takes us to North Africa, where Casablanca has looked out towards the Atlantic for centuries.

Whilst the spectacular development of its port is a relatively recent phenomenon, the city has long occupied a strategic position on Morocco’s Atlantic coast. In the 20th century, the construction of a large, modern port profoundly transformed Casablanca and fuelled its economic boom. Even today, its port activity plays a major role in the city’s vibrancy. From the medina to Art Deco architecture and the seafront, JOOKS invites you to discover a city facing the ocean, where Moroccan heritage meets influences from across the Atlantic.

Singapore – At the crossroads of the oceans

A metropolis at the crossroads of the oceans

From the Atlantic, the major shipping routes now take us to Asia, where Singapore owes much of its success to its exceptional location.

Situated at the entrance to the Strait of Malacca, the island lies on one of the main routes linking the Indian Ocean to the South China Sea. As early as the 19th century, its port attracted ships and merchants from Asia, Europe and the Middle East. Its development then accelerated, eventually making Singapore one of the world’s largest maritime hubs. As you run with JOOKS amongst its skyscrapers and historic neighbourhoods, discover a cosmopolitan city shaped by trade between continents.

Hong Kong – Where East meets West

Where the East meets the major trade routes

Further north, another port city was in turn becoming a major hub where Western and Asian trade routes converged: Hong Kong.

Its exceptional natural harbour fostered its development from the 19th century onwards, when the city became a major trading hub in Asia. Merchants, migrants and ships from all over the world converged there, making Hong Kong a true cultural and economic crossroads. Today, the skyscrapers lining Victoria Harbour serve as a reminder of the scale this activity has reached. With JOOKS, explore its bustling neighbourhoods and spectacular views, amidst colonial heritage, Chinese culture and a futuristic skyline.

Valparaíso – The Gateway to the Pacific

An unmissable stop-off on the Pacific route

Having crossed Asia, our journey continues eastwards to the coast of South America, where Valparaíso has long been established as a key stop on the major Pacific trade routes.

Thanks to its natural harbour and strategic location, the Chilean port experienced spectacular growth in the 19th century. Before the opening of the Panama Canal, ships travelling between the Atlantic and the Pacific had to round Cape Horn: Valparaíso thus became an essential stopover for travellers and goods. Its colourful hills, funicular railways and historic neighbourhoods still bear witness to this cosmopolitan era. With JOOKS, explore its steep streets and discover a city whose history remains deeply intertwined with the ocean.

Vancouver – The major Pacific port

Between the mountains and the Pacific horizon

The final stop on our journey: Vancouver, which illustrates how ports have evolved into their modern form and their role in global trade.

Sheltered by the mountains and opening out onto the Pacific, the city enjoys an exceptional location for linking North America with Asia. Its port is gradually becoming one of Canada’s main commercial hubs, thanks in particular to trade in goods with Asian markets. Today, cargo ships, container ships and cruise liners share the waters of a bay surrounded by spectacular scenery. With JOOKS, discover Vancouver amongst its skyscrapers, waterfront and mountains, and round off this world tour in a city where major shipping routes continue to shape the urban landscape.

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