Every country has its past and culture which is also preserved for future generations so that it always survives in the hearts of people. A lot of books, novels, temples, palaces, and biographies are created to depict the cultural traditions and power of ancient times. The temple is considered one of the most auspicious places all over the world where the lord and the kings used to reside. People love visiting temples because they find peace, and happiness and engrave beauty in their hearts. People who love historical periods would love to visit these oldest temples in the world.
Oldest Temples In The World
1. Temple of Amada
The most ancient temple of Nudia is the temple of Amada which was initially erected on the eastern shores of the Nile River in the middle of 1550 and 1189 B.C. Though it was not a vast temple its colors, beauty, and architecture are preserved by plasters and are a great source of attraction. The brick walls of this temple depict some holy and serious writings engraved on it. But later it was converted into a church, and despite being converted into a church some remains were still preserved and are adored today.
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2. Gobekli Tepe
Constructed between 9500 and 8000 BCE, the Neolithic site in the east region of Turkey is the Gobekli Tepe temple. Its massive stone pillars support numerous circular structures. These pillars are highly decorated with various types of clothing, reliefs of animals, and many other details. It was built on the top of the mountains away from the water in around 1963. It is one of the well-known world heritage sites and is valued as the first manifestation of manmade monumental architecture.
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Image Source: Wikipedia
3. Luxor Temple
One of the famous monuments of ancient Egypt is from around 3500 years ago situated on the shores of the River Nile, an auspicious temple was constructed named Luxor Temple. Constructed in 1400 BCE, Pharaoh Amenhotep III designed this beautiful temple along with many other builders, and was finally completed by Rameses II. If you think that this temple was built in devotion to God then, you are wrong. This temple was built to celebrate the victory of the kings. Numerous crowning ceremonies were held at the temple Luxor. Even the great Alexander was also crowned here.
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4. Temple of Hatshepsut
The Temple of Hatshepsut of Egypt also renowned by the name of Djeser-Djeseru was constructed by Senenmut in 1470 B.C. The idea of construction of this wonderful and most famous temple of Egypt came to the mind of Queen Hatshepsut. All the architecture, walls, and designs of this temple had some special idea or meaning or depiction of some events or some persons.
According to Queen Hatshepsut, the only way to become immortal is to preserve their history and to create an impact on the minds of future generations is engraving them into the walls of temples, graves, mosques, and other massive buildings. After the hard work of 15 years, the time finally came into existence with three flours and is still a major visitor place in Egypt.
Also recognized as Deir el-Bahari, the mortuary temple complex was commissioned by Hatshepsut, the female pharaoh who ruled Egypt from approximately 1473 B.C. to 1458 B.C. Situated on the west bank of the Nile River near Luxor, it served as a centre for the veneration of Hatshepsut’s cult after her demise. Reflecting an ancient Egyptian tradition, pharaohs often constructed temples for posthumous reverence. This complex, dedicated to Egyptian deities including Hathor, Amun, and Ra Horakhty, featured intricate decorations portraying Hatshepsut’s expedition to Punt, potentially located near modern-day Eritrea. The site stands as a testament to Hatshepsut’s reign and the enduring religious practices of ancient Egypt.
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Image Source: Dennis Jarvis
5. Hypogeum of Hal-Saflieni
At the time of 2500 B.C. an underground temple was established in Malta recognized as Hypogeum of Hal-Saflieni. This temple is around 6000 years old making it the world’s best-preserved historic monument. Constructed in 1902, both sanctuary and cemetery were used in construction, and around 7000 people’s bones were found there. This lavish monument needs pre-booking to visit and only 80 people are allowed to visit in a day.
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6. Stonehenge Temple
A very famous ancient temple of England Stonehenge was constructed in the initial era of 3000 B.C. It is a human-created circle of great standing stones built hundreds of years ago and is found in Salisburi Plain in Wiltshire. You will be surprised to know that it took thousands of years to build this mysterious monument. Though it was created such a long time ago, if you visit this place even today you will find the big stones in circular patterns standing strong.
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Image Source: Wally Gobetz
7. Temple of Seti I
This 550-foot-long temple was built to honor the ancestral Pharaohs of early times and was completed under the guidance of Ramesses II who was the son of Seti II. It is also recognized as the temple of Abydos and is famous for the graffiti on its walls. It is one of the most beautiful and unique temples of Egypt and is full of mystery, decoration, and pleasant views.
Usually, the buildings are rectangular but this unique temple is L-shaped with seven doorways. A woman named Dorothy Eady lived in this temple as a priest and the lover of Seti I. She used to perform the rites in the temple and she died in 1981.
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8. Hagar Qim and Mnajdra
One of the oldest temples in the world, Hagar Qim and Mnajdr temple is so great that to preserve this beautiful m monument two strong roofs are constructed to cover and protect this 5000 years old temple. It is a world heritage site constructed in 3600 and 2500 B.C.
The temple of Hagar Qim and Mnajdra is 500 meters apart and close to Hagar Qim and Mnajdra Park on the South Coast of Malta. It is a masterpiece constructed on the top of a hill using limestone, the second-oldest rock. Its massive wall and coat add beauty to it. Its women’s chamber, watering place, forecourt, and the main temple are worth watching.
Also Read: 10 Most Amazing Ancient Egyptian Temples
Image Source: Wikimedia
9. Ggantija temple
One of the oldest buildings in the world found on the island of Gozo in Malta, the Ggantija temple is the earliest in Malta and is even older than the pyramids of Egypt. It is the world’s second-oldest religious monument after Gobekli Tepe. Being one of the oldest includes it is a world heritage site by UNESCO. Created using limestone, this temple was created between 3600 and 3200 B.C. The wall’s decorative slabs, paintings, and doorways are well-preserved and are worth watching. It is one of the oldest temples in the world.
Image Source: Wikimedia
10. Palace of Knossos
The Greek’s largest and most historic monument is the Palace of Knossos. But this palace does not seem the same as it was years ago because of reconstruction due to several reasons. It is a big multi-storied building decorated with religious ceremonies and crafted structures. The halls, floors, rooms, treasuries, court, and throne are worth watching and are well decorated. It is greatly connected with Greek Mythology and countless tales related to Knossos.
Image Source: Wikimedia
11. Pantheon
Constructed approximately two millennia ago, the Pantheon, situated in Rome, boasts a sizable dome of a height of 43 meters (141 feet). Initially dedicated to multiple Roman deities, this architectural marvel underwent a transformation in the seventh century, evolving into a Christian church. Functioning as a Catholic church today, the Pantheon endures as one of the oldest continuously utilized religious structures globally. Its enduring presence attests to its historical resilience and adaptability, bridging the gap between ancient Roman paganism and the enduring spiritual practices of Christianity, making it a remarkable testament to the evolution of religious and architectural traditions over the centuries.
12. Temple Mount
The Temple Mount in one of the famous domes in a the world situated in Jerusalem served as the sacred site for the holiest place in Judaism, hosting the First Temple with the revered Ark of the Covenant. The Babylonian invasion in 586 B.C. led to the First Temple’s destruction. Subsequently, King Herod reconstructed a temple at the same site, only to witness its demise during a Roman revolt in A.D. 70. A tangible structure, the Western Wall, stands as an ancient retaining wall encircling the Temple Mount, representing one of the few remnants of the Second Temple. This enduring structure remains an important symbol of the historical and religious significance of Judaism.
13. Taputapuātea marae
Situated at the tip of a peninsula on Ra’iātea Island in the southern Pacific Ocean, Taputapuātea marae holds sacred significance as a worship site for the Polynesian people who revered the god Oro. Recognized by UNESCO as “the place where the world of the living (Te Ao) intersects the world of the ancestors and gods,” this temple was constructed by the Mā’ohi civilization and potentially dates back a millennium. A testament to the spiritual practices of the island’s inhabitants, Taputapuātea marae stands as a cultural and historical landmark, embodying the profound connection between the living, the ancestors, and the divine in the Polynesian heritage.
Image Source: Wikimedia
14. Angkor Wat
One of the oldest temples in the world constructed between approximately A.D. 1113 and 1150, Angkor Wat, meaning “Temple City,” resides in Cambodia within the ancient city of Angkor. Originally designed as a Hindu temple venerating Vishnu, the god of preservation, it underwent conversion to a Buddhist temple in the 14th century, incorporating Buddha statues. The temple’s focal point, a 213-foot-tall (65 m) central tower, is encircled by four smaller towers and protective enclosure walls, mirroring the mythical Mount Meru from Hindu folklore. This design, reminiscent of the divine abode beyond the Himalayas, adds a spiritual dimension to Angkor Wat’s architectural splendour, reflecting both Hindu and Buddhist influences over its rich history.
Image Source: Wikimedia
15. Temple of Jupiter
The foremost temple in ancient Rome, the Temple of Jupiter, held a pivotal position on Capitoline Hill. Dedicated to Jupiter, regarded by some Romans as the supreme deity, this significant structure originated in the sixth century B.C. Over time, the temple underwent multiple reconstructions due to various disasters. However, with the shift to Christianity in the fourth and fifth centuries, the Temple of Jupiter faced a steady decline. Ultimately, it suffered extensive damage and destruction, leaving scant remnants today. This historical site, once a symbol of Roman religious reverence, succumbed to the cultural shifts marking the end of the Roman Empire.
Image Source: Wikimedia
16. Temple of Artemis
Positioned in Ephesus, in present-day western Turkey, the Temple of Artemis earned accolades as one of the ancient world’s seven wonders due to its praised beauty. Dedicated to Artemis, the Greek goddess linked with animals and hunting, the temple’s origins trace back to 550 B.C. when King Croesus of Lydia commissioned its construction. Despite its grandeur, the temple faced adversity, including a destructive fire in 356 B.C. and a devastating earthquake in A.D. 262. Historical accounts reveal its abandonment or destruction in the fifth century A.D., leaving scant remnants today. The Temple of Artemis remains a testament to ancient architectural marvels.
Image Source: Wikimedia
17. Parthenon
This is oldest temples in the world that perched atop the Acropolis of Athens, the Parthenon, erected in the 5th century B.C., pays homage to Athena, the ancient Greek temple associated with both war and wisdom. Its dimensions span 228 feet (69 m) in length, and 101 feet (31 m) in width, and it rises to approximately 65 feet (20 m) in height. The pediments, forming triangular roof gables, are adorned with sculptures narrating tales of Greek gods. The east pediment depicts Athena’s birth, while the west narrates the contest between Athena and Poseidon for the coveted role of Athens’ patron deity. The Parthenon stands as a majestic testament to ancient Greek art and mythology.
18. Gango-ji Temple
One of the oldest temples in the world situated to the east of Osaka in Nara, Gango-ji Temple boasts a history spanning 1,300 years. It is potentially Japan’s oldest Buddhist temple. In the seventh century, Soga no Umako, leader of the Soga clan and a Buddhist proponent in Japan, commissioned the temple’s construction. Although Gango-ji Temple has undergone renovations and alterations throughout the centuries, it presently features a main hall, and a zen room, and houses a vast collection of artefacts. The temple stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of Buddhism in Japan, reflecting centuries of cultural and religious significance in its architecture and historical evolution.
Image Source: Wikimedia
19. Ziggurat of Ur
One of the oldest temples in the world constructed over 4,000 years ago in ancient Mesopotamia, the Ziggurat of Ur, dedicated to the moon god Nanna, is as tall as approximately 100 feet (30 m) in height. This architectural marvel, located in present-day Iraq, played a central role in the vibrant kingdom of Ur. The ziggurat facilitated rituals with a system of ramps allowing access to its pinnacle. Throughout its long history, the structure underwent numerous modifications and restorations. Standing as a testament to ancient ingenuity, the Ziggurat of Ur serves as a tangible link to the rich cultural and religious practices of a bygone era in the heart of Mesopotamia.
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