17 Incredibly Old Buildings People Still Use to This Day

Throughout history, people built many beautiful buildings and subsequently destroyed them due to lack of care, wars, and to reuse the materials. Additionally, some buildings were just not able to handle the years and fell away as the years wore them down. Because of this, it’s hard to find incredibly old buildings people still use to this day.

Some managed to survive, and communities took care of them over the years, repairing and even adding to them so that they could continue to stand tall. Some of these structures fought against the test of time and still have a use to this day, though not always for their original purpose. From temples to churches to theaters, many of the buildings are now museums or tourist attractions, but some hold shops and apartments as well, blending into the modern architecture.

If you’re ready to see some of the oldest buildings people still use to this day, the 17 below are a perfect place to start. From the early 1100s to before the current era, these buildings, or what’s left of them, astound everyone who sees them.

17. Taos Pueblo

Age: At least 570 years old
First Built: Between 1000 and 1450 AD
Location: Taos Pueblo is in New Mexico
Current Use: Many people still live in these old buildings

16. Rheinstein Castle

Age: 705+ years old
First Built: In 1316 or 1317 AD
Location: Trechtingshausen, Germany
Current Use: Museum and restaurant

15. Acoma Pueblo

Age: 870+ years old
First Built: 1150 AD
Location: New Mexico
Current Use: Some people live there, but the primary function is festivals and sacred ceremonies

14. Roykstovan

Age: 900+ years old
First Built: In the 12th century
Location: Kirkjubøargarður, Faroe Islands
Current Use: Many people still live in Kirkjubøargarður, and this particular building is a farm

13. Nanchan Temple

Age: 1,240+ years old
First Built: 782 AD
Location: Doucun on Mount Wutai, Shanxi, China
Current Use: Currently used as a Buddhist temple

12. Horyu-ji

Age: 1,415+ years old
First Built: 607 AD
Location: Nara Prefecture, Japan
Current Use: A Buddhist temple still often visited for rites and ceremonies

11. Monastery of St. Catherine

Age: 1,475+ years old
First Built: 565 AD
Location: Mount Sinai, Egypt
Current Use: Still used as a Christian monastery

10. Hagia Sophia

Age: 1,485+ years old
First Built: 537 AD
Location: Istanbul, Turkey
Current Use: Hagie Sophia is currently used as a mosque

9. The Basilica of Saint Sabina

Age: 1,590+ years old
First Built: 432 AD
Location: Rome, Italy
Current Use: a church of the community of the Friars Preachers and is very popular for wedding celebrations

8. Church of the Nativity

Age: 1,695+ years old
First Built: About 326 AD
Location: West Bank, Palestine
Current Use: The Church of the Nativity is still used as a church

7. Diocletian’s Palace

Age: 1,715+ years old
First Built: 305 AD
Location: Split, Croatia
Current Use: There are several buildings within the palace, including shops, homes, and restaurants

6. Castel Sant-Angelo

Age: 1,885+ years old
First Built: 139 AD
Location: Rome, Italy
Current Use: The Castel is now used as a museum

5. The Pantheon

Age: 1,895+ years old
First Built: 125 AD
Location: Rome, Italy
Current Use: It has been used as a Catholic church since 609 AD and also offers tours

4. Mundeshwari Temple

Age: 1,915+ years old
First Built: 108 AD
Location: Paunra, India
Current Use: This building is still used as a temple, especially used during the Ramnavami and Shivratri festivals

3. Tower of Hercules

Age: 1920+ years old
First Built: 1st century AD
Location: Coruña, Spain
Current Use: The tower is still used as a lighthouse

2. Arles Amphitheatre

Age: 1,930+ years old
First Built: 90 AD
Location: Arles, France
Current Use: The amphitheater is currently used for bullfighting performances and concerts

1. Theatre of Marcellus

Age: 2,040+ years old
First Built: 17 BC
Location: Rome, Italy
Current Use: The theater is used as a tourist attraction, and there are still some homes within the building