The Worlds Oldest Buildings That Are Still in Use

Explore the world's oldest structures still in use, including the Tower of Hercules, Colosseum, Luxor Temple, Hōryū-ji Temple, and 9,000-year-old Sassi di Matera. Discover the fascinating history, rich cultural significance, and modern-day use of these ancient buildings.

[wardarcade]

While the Colosseum is the epitome of Classical Roman spectacles, let's not overlook the Pantheon (also in Rome) which was built roughly a century earlier c.126 AD and is perfectly preserved in its original construction with just a few later accoutrements over the centuries. Moreover it's been a place of worship the ENTIRE time with it originally being a Roman temple but has been a Catholic church called the Basilica of St. Mary and the Martyrs since 604 A.D. Moreover, it's still the largest unreinforced concrete dome with its original Roman bronze outer doors still remaining!Oh, the the entire time it's had a big hole right smack in the middle of the roof called the oculus that has been its main light source.

[solracer]

Back in 2012 I spent a couple of nights in a cave hotel (yes with electricity and running water!) in Matera. What's remarkable is the hotel even had a cave with a swimming pool! It was not all that wide, maybe 5 meters but it was very long with a kink in the cave such that from one end you couldn't see the other. This hotel was built recently by Matera standards but you can tour some of the ancient caves including one that is completely outfitted as it would have been a few hundred years ago. It is definitely worth a visit!

[martinstallard]

0:26 the tower of Hercules
2:38 the Colosseum
5:15 the Luxor temple
7:27 Horyu-Ji temple
9:41 Sassi Di Matera

[nanoRat]

The Arena di Verona was built in 30AD by Tiberius Ceasar. It is about two thirds the size of the Colosseum in Rome but it is fully intact AND is in full use today as a venue for concerts and full scale operas during a major part of the year. It should have been included.

[ignitionfrn]

0:30 - Chapter 1 - The tower of hercules
2:45 - Chapter 2 - The colosseum
5:20 - Chapter 3 - The luxor temple
7:30 - Chapter 4 - Horyu ji temple
9:45 - Chapter 5 - Sassi di matera

[Jayjay-qeum]

"An old building is like a show. You smell the soul of a building. And the building tells you how to redo it." -- Cameron Mackintosh

[thomasnelson]

Tower of Lupus does sound pretty cool. Lupus means wolf in Latin. The Romans believed that a she-wolf nursed Romulus and Remus as infants.

[NorthOntarian]

Also the Pula Arena in Croatia is pretty cool, in better shape than the roman colosseum. I'd recommend a visit if you find yourself in Croatia. I enjoyed it.

[rialobran]

The field systems of West Cornwall have been in continuous use as farms since the Bronze Age, certainly amongst the oldest man made structures still used for their original purpose.

[acepedro]

The Nimes arena, although not as impressive or famous as the Colosseum, has actually been in use for almost 2 thousand years. It still hosts art and sport events every now and then.

[kastro]

I'm literally from A Coruña and didn't stop to think about the Tower of Hercules when clicking the video. It has a nice park surrounding it, good for walks

[TetsuShima]

Speaking of Hercules, the demigod has a curious link to Rome's origin. Before the founding of the city, the inhabitants of the Aventine Hill were constantly terrorized by a horrible fire-breathing monster called Cacus. Just when they were planning to abandon the settlement, Hercules (who visited Italy during his travels) appeared and, after finding the monster in his cave, killed him. As thanks for saving them, the people of the Hill dedicated an altar to Hercules, who became the first God revered in the Seven Hills.The Steven Saylor's novel "Roma" recounts this event, if you are interested

[decmurray]

I was hoping Newgrange in Ireland would get an honerable mention, though not as impressive a structure and having had a face-lift in the 1950's, it is 5200 years old and still marks the winter solstice reliably every year

[birdielein]

I've been to the Sassi and it's unforgettable. It's mindblowing. People in Italy were still living in cave dwellings into the 50s. Obviously, only very few, but it's a direct link to a totally different epoch in human history.

[marvindebot]

"My home dates back to Elizabethan times"
Resident of Sassi: "Hold my whitewash bucket".

[Svensk]

I think the caves still count. They may have been closed for a bit, but they were not abandoned. Sounds like renovations started immediately.

[MrVnendetti]

If I’m not mistaken & remember correctly, I believe I heard recently some scientists have figured out the Roman’s original concrete mixture ingredients!

[garymaidman]

The Roman amphitheater in Verona still gets used regularly as an opera theater.

[JohnDrummondPhoto]

"That distinction is entirely dependent on how we choose to use the word..." DELETED at 7:26. C'mon, man!

[lightyearsfromhome]

My Italian grandmother was born, raised, and died in the Atruscan building next to the arches in Perugia, Italy. Spent time there as a child and visiting area this late spring.