History is very interesting because there are so many fascinating discoveries that makes you curious, you just want to know more. Historic buildings are definitely at the top of the list of your curiosity, this is why we’ve decided to show you some of the oldest buildings in the world.
Each of these buildings have their own unique story, this is why they have become tourist attractions today. Below are twenty of the oldest buildings in the world.
20) Megalithic Temples of Malta
This is a series of ancient Megalithic Temples that’s located in the islands of Malta. The Megalithic Temples of Malta belong to the category of some of the oldest and most important European archaeological sites which dates as far back as the Neolithic period which is from 4000 to 2500 BC.
These temples were built with stone, consisting of chambers, passages and courtyards which were used for the purpose of ritual and other ceremonial events.
These temples have many carvings and structures, it played a very important role in the social and religious life of the Maltese people back then.
19) La Hougue Bie
This is a Neolithic burial monument that is located in Channel Islands. It’s one of the oldest archaeological discoveries in that location which dates back to the 4th millennium BC. This burial monument consists of many passages and chambers which were used for burials. It’s made of earth and stone and also has carvings all over it.
18) Great Pyramid of Giza
This is the oldest among the three pyramids in Giza, it is also the largest of the three and one of the most famous landmarks in the world. This pyramid was built in the 26th century BC, it was meant to be the tomb of Pharoah Khufu.
They built this pyramid with limestone blocks and it has a height of 147 metres which makes it the tallest building in the world for over 4000 years.
17) Royal Palace of Ebla
This is an ancient palace that was located in the city of Ebla which is our present day Syria. This structure was built back in the 24th century and it was one of the most popular places in the East. This structure served as the residence and also the administrative building of the Eblaite king.
The building has many halls, courtyards and chambers which were decorated with different inscriptions. This palace is famous for its well preserved books which provides detailed information on the culture, history and day to day life of the Eblaite people.
16) Karnak
This is an ancient temple that is located in Egypt. This is one of the largest temple complexes in the world, and you can find this magnificent temple in Luxor, Egypt. This temple has chapels, towers and many other buildings which were built over 2000 years ago.
The complexes were decorated to the gods Mut, Amun and Khonsu, these were very popular gods of Egypt back then. This temple is well known for its lovely architectural features and inscriptions which provides information about the history and culture of the Egyptian people.
15) Pyramid of Khendjer
This ancient Egyptian pyramid is located in Saqqara. This structure was built by Pharoah Khendjer who ruled Egypt from 1332 to 1323 BC, the building was dedicated to the mortuary cult of Pharoah.
This pyramid is a perfect example of the style of architecture in Egypt back then, it was built with limestone. The pyramid has chambers, halls and the corridors are decorated with inscriptions. These inscriptions provide details about the reign of Khendjer and how they lived their daily lives back then.
14) Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut
This is an ancient temple that’s located in Luxor. Pharoah Hatshepsut was the king that built this temple. He ruled over Egypt from 1479 to 1458 BC. This temple clearly shows the new kingdom’s style of architecture, it was built with sandstone.
The temple has halls, chambers and inscriptions on its walls. These inscriptions provides vital information about the reign of King Hatshepsut and the way they lived their daily lives back then.
13) Ramesseum
This temple is also located in Luxor Egypt, it was built by Pharoah Ramses II as far back as the 13th century. This temple was also made with sandstone. It has has courtyards, halls and chambers. One of the famous things about this temple is its giant statue of Ramses II and it’s well preserved inscriptions as well.
12) Temple of Cyrene
This is a very ancient temple that’s located in Libya. The temple was dedicated to Apollo, the Greek god of prophecy, archery and music. It used to be one of the most important temples in Libya.
They built this temple back in the 6th century BC and it’s a perfect example of the Doric Style of architecture. This temple was constructed with marble. Unfortunately, this temple was destroyed in the 3rd century and its ruins were used as quarries. It has become a popular tourist attraction which gives insight into Libyan culture and religion in ancient times.
11) Temple of Hera
This temple is also known as Temple of Juno Lacinia or Temple of Hera Lacinia. This ancient temple can be found in Corona, Italy. The temple was dedicated to Hera who was the queen of gods according to Greek mythology. This temple was constructed in the 5th century, it’s another example of Doric style of architecture.
This temple was constructed with tufa, which is a special type of volcanic rock. This temple met it’s end in the 3rd century and its ruins was used as quarries.
10) Persepolis
This used to be the ceremonial capital of the Ahaemenid Empire which ruled most of the east from 550 to 330 BC. This structure is located in the present day Iran and it is one of the most popular archaeological sites in Iran.
This structure was built by Achaemenid king Darius in the 6th century BC, it was their royal palace and centre of administration. This structure is very large and has many reliefs and sculptures in it. It is most famous for its massive terrace which was used for important events, mostly royal ceremonies.
9) Parthenon
This is a temple that can be found in the Athenian Acropolis of Greece, it was dedicated to Athena who’s believed to be the patron of Athens. This structure was built in the 5th Century BC and it is seen as one of the most important examples of classic Greek architecture.
This temple has columns that surround the whole perimeter. The structure is made of marble, it has a distinctive style or architecture. The temple has many sculptures and reliefs. This structure was formerly used for religious ceremonies and it was later converted to a church.
8) Thracian Tomb of Sveshtari
This is an ancient tomb that can be found in the village of Sveshtari, a village in Bulgaria. This well preserved tomb dates back to the 3rd Century, it belongs to the ancient Thracian Culture.
This tomb was built with stones and it has a barrel-vaulted roof that’s decorated with frescoes which depicts mythological scenes. This temple has artworks that are very good examples of Thracian art. This tomb is decorated with carvings and beautiful sculptures of mythical animals.
7) Dhamek Stupa
This is a Buddhist stupa that is located in India, it can be found in Sarnath which is close to Varanasi India. This is one of the most important Buddhist stupas in the whole of India. The spot where the first Buddhist had his first sermon after attaining enlightenment is marked in the stupa.
This structure was built in the 5th century AD and it was built with stone and brick. The structure is cylindrical and has a diameter of 43 meters and a height of 28 meters.
The stupa has intricate carvings, four gateways and stone railings. It is a very popular location that attracts tourists from all over the world who visit this location for pilgrimage.
6) Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor
This is a very ancient burial site that is located in the Lintong District of Xi’an, China. This mausoleum is the tomb of Qin Shi Huang, who was the first emperor of China. He reigned from 246 to 210 BC.
The mausoleum is located at the foot of Mount Li and it has a complex of tombs and burial sites around it, these sites belong to Qin Shi Huang and some other members of the imperial family.
This mausoleum is famous for its terracotta warrriors which is a collection of life-sized statues of soldiers and horses who were buried along with the emperor to protect him in his afterlife.
5) Dun Carloway
This is a well preserved iron age broch that can be found on the Isle of Lewis in the outer part of Hebrides, Scotland.
A broch is defined as a type fortified tower that ancient people of Scotland constructed during the iron age. It is one of the best-preserved brochs that is located in Scotland and it dates back to either the 1st or 2nd century A.D
This structure is circular and has double walls and a central staircase that leads to the top of the tower. This structure was probably used as a defensive structure for the wealthy families in the region.
4) Maison Carrée
This structure is very well preserved and can be found in Nimes, France. This is one of the best preserved Roman temples in the world, it is seen as an architectural masterpiece.
The Maison Carrée was built in the first century and was dedicated to God Castor and Pollux.This magnificent structure is made of limestone. It has a rectangular plan and it’s symmetrical in every side. This structure was used during public gatherings and other religious ceremonies, but it has now become a popular tourist attraction today.
3)Lei Cheng Uk Han Tomb
This structure is located in Hong Kong, China. This site was discovered in the year 1955 during a construction work, it dates as far back as the Eastern Han period between 25 to 220 AD. It is believed that this structure belonged to a wealthy family. It consists of a burial chamber, a passage that leads to the burial chamber and a pottery workshop.
2) Temple of Garni
This is a Hellenistic temple that can be can be found on Garni, Armenia. This is the only classical temple in the former Soviet Union. It was built in the first century AD, dedicated to Mihr, an Armenian god.
This structure is a proper example of the Greco-Roman style of architecture which was popular during the Hellenistic period. The structure is made of basalt blocks and has 24 fluted Corinthian columns.
1) Colosseum
This is also called the Flavian Amphitheatre. It’s an oval amphitheatre that’s located in Rome, Italy. The Colosseum is one of the most popular landmarks in the world, a masterpiece of the ancient roman architecture.
It was built as far back between 70 and 80 AD. They used it for gladiatorial contests back then and for other purposes like executions, reenactment of battles and animal hunts.