Did you know Philadelphia has 11 sister cities?

As part of an effort to promote international understanding, Philadelphia has 11 sister cities in 10 countries. Here’s a bit about each one. 

A sister city relationship is a partnership to promote peace and cultural exchange between two cities in different nations. A relatively recent phenomenon, the trend gained ground during World War II to strengthen ties between allied countries. And while many cities may have one or two sibling cities, Philadelphia has a grand total of 11 sister cities in 10 countries!

Within the city, you can visit Sister Cities Park, which celebrates Philadelphia’s sister cities around the globe. The park’s fountain has 11 spouts to represent each of Philly’s sisters. Learn more about the international ties Philly has formed by getting to know each sister city.

Sister Cities Park courtesy of B. Krist/Visit Philadelphia.

1. Aix-En-Provence, France

Philadelphia and Aix-En-Provence are both quite old cities. Philadelphia was, of course, one of the first cities established in the United States, as it was founded in 1682. Meanwhile, sunny Aix-En-Provence, located in southern France along the Arc River, was founded in 123 BC. That’s only a difference of a little more than 1,800 years! Aix-En-Provence is lively and colorful—in fact, it’s the birthplace of renowned French artist Paul Cézanne, who often painted his hometown.

2. Douala, Cameroon

The first Philly sister city in Africa, Douala, Cameroon, is its country’s largest city and biggest transportation hub. While Douala is not the political capital of Cameroon, it has certainly been the commercial capital for some time with its long history of maritime trade — just as Philadelphia has long been a key trade city. Philly and Cameroon’s sisterhood began in 1986, but a recent example of the partnership unfolded between 2020 and 2022 when pediatricians in Philly and Douala collaborated on a telehealth presentation series to share insights and best practices for health care for kids.

Photo courtesy of Alvise Forcellini/CC BY-NC 2.0.

3. Frankfurt, Germany

The German city of Frankfurt became a sister city to Philadelphia in 2015 and was the first new partner city since 1999. As Frankfurt is the financial center of continental Europe, Philly’s mayor at the time, Michael Nutter, hoped that the relationship would spark business ties between the two cities.

4. Abruzzo, Italy

Many Italian Americans in Philly have roots in the Philadelphia sister “city” of Abruzzo, Italy, though Abruzzo is actually a lively region of Italy, not a city. Back in the 1800s and 1900s, many Abruzzese immigrants left their homes in southern Italy to come live and work in Philadelphia. You can try Abruzzese Italian food at the Philadelphia restaurant Le Virtu. The family of one of the restaurant’s co-owners hails from the region!

Photo courtesy of Guglielmo D’Arezzo/CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.

5. Florence, Italy

Send anniversary tidings to Florence and Philly, as their sister city relationship turns 60 in 2024! Florence became the very first Philly sister city in 1964, likely because of the large population and influence of Italian Americans in Philadelphia. Florence, the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance, is a European hub of culture and history. Philadelphia, too, is a historic gem with fantastic art museums. The partnership is still going strong after decades: In June of this year, a Florentine group of flag-wavers and musicians, the Bandierai Fiorentini, performed during Philadelphia’s Italian National Day.

6. Incheon, South Korea

Philadelphia first became sister cities with the bustling port city of Incheon, South Korea, in 1983, evidence of the growing relationship between the U.S. and South Korea. Philadelphia has a sizable Korean American community, with many Korean American organizations as well as Philadelphia’s own Koreatown in the Olney area. The sister city partnership has resulted in visits between the two city councils!

7. Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel

Tel Aviv became one of Philadelphia’s first sister cities in 1966, possibly because of the large Jewish population in Philadelphia. In fact, Philadelphia is home to one of the oldest synagogues in the U.S.; Mikveh Israel, often called the Synagogue of the Revolution because of congregants who fought in the Revolutionary War, was founded in 1740.

Photo courtesy of Unsplash.

8. Tianjin, China

The two sister cities of Philadelphia and Tianjin, China, both have important industrial histories that helped create cosmopolitan metropolises. Tianjin was where the Chinese textile industry first began to flourish, just as Philly grew around the textile industry for hundreds of years. Today, both are large urban cities that attract tourists interested in history and culture. Sister cities for nearly 45 years, the partnership is one of the longest between a U.S. and Chinese city.

In 2017, Philadelphia and Tianjin photographers collaborated on an exhibit dedicated to the partnership of the two sister cities. When viewing the artwork, “you can see not only the beauty of Philadelphia and Tianjin, but also the real life of their citizens, and, most importantly, a sincere interest in further communication and cooperation between these two cities,” said exhibit curator Bin Wu.

9. Toruń, Poland

Toruń is one of the oldest cities in Poland, just like Philly is one of the oldest cities in the U.S. But Toruń’s Old Town is a little different from Old City in Philadelphia because Toruń’s history stretches back to medieval times! And because Toruń was spared bombing and destruction in World War II — unlike much of Poland — the historic structures in Toruń are intact, telling the story of the old riverside city. Toruń is also known for its traditional gingerbread, which has been made in the city for more than 1,000 years. Philadelphia and Toruń became sister cities in 1976. Polish and American high school students in the two cities have participated in cultural exchange programs many times.

Photo courtesy of Andrzej Wrotek/CC BY-ND 2.0.

10. Nizhny Novgorod, Russia

The Russian city of Nizhny Novgorod, located on the Volga River, is one of the largest in Russia. It may be known for its ancient Kremlin, but it’s also home to a wide collection of street art, just like Philadelphia. Nizhny Novgorod and Philadelphia have been sister cities since 1992.

11. Kobe, Japan

Kobe, Japan, is a port city on Osaka Bay. Mountains provide a scenic backdrop to the Kobe harbor. Philly and Kobe have been sister cities since 1986. As recently as 2017, representatives from Kobe visited Philadelphia to discuss and help support Philadelphia’s Shofuso Garden, a traditional Japanese garden in West Fairmount Park.

Photo courtesy of J. Fusco/Visit Philadelphia.

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.