Yet remnants of Babylon's former glory remain, with sections of the city's walls still intact.

CNN: Bringing Babylon back from the dead

Either Chelsea or Swansea will provide the opposition on February 24, but thoughts of that can wait while City bask in the glory of a wonderful tale.

CNN: Minnow Bradford in fairytale triumph

One of them is being forced into exile -- taking a ride on the Reading or perhaps left to shuffle along the streets of Atlantic City, New Jersey, muttering about the glory days.

CNN: Vote for your favorite Monopoly token -- or else!

For decades the city lived on its past glory, as many of its historical buildings deteriorated and organized crime took over the enormous slums, or favelas, that cover Rio's many slopes with mostly unplanned and unlicensed homes.

WSJ: Trump-Branded Rio Project Faces Test

Vacancies are so prevalent that the city has put murals of Rochester's former glory along stretches of multiple empty storefronts to hide the eyesores.

WSJ: As Kodak Fades, Rochester Develops Other Businesses

Ever since the 1992 Summer Olympics revealed the city in its post-Franco glory, Barcelona has moved from strength to strength, becoming one of the world's most visited cities for its architectural icons and culinary and cultural bona fides.

BBC: Living in: Barcelona

This ancient city, the gem of central Europe, has seen its share of both glory and depredation.

FORBES: History's Witness: Prague, Communism, And The Socialist Ideal