The oldest temples are roughly defined as structures dedicated to religious or spiritual activities.
Temples have been built over the ages and many are still open to visitors today, although there are also modern examples.
Like Akshardham Temple in New Delhi Built in 2008 and the White Temple in Chiang Rai which is still under construction.
However, the old ones were built thousands of years ago by people who believed in religion.
In this list we will introduce you to the oldest temples on Earth that were made by humans.
The oldest temples in the world
Oldest Temples - Palace of Knossos, Crete, Greece
It is located about 5 km (3 mi) south of Heraklion.
The Palace of Knossos is the most important and famous palace on the island of Crete.
The Great Palace was built gradually between 1700 and 1400 BC.
With periodic restoration after the destruction until it was completely destroyed by fire.
The palace consists of living spaces, reception rooms, workshops, shrines and storage rooms all built around a central courtyard.
The main function of the palace remains controversial.
It could have been used primarily as an administrative centre or a religious centre – or both in a theocratic manner.
Knossos is often associated with the myth of the Athenian hero Theseus who slew the Minotaur.
Palace of Knossos, Crete, Greece
Oldest Temples – Gobekli Tepe, Türkiye
Sometimes referred to as the First Temple or the Oldest Temple, Göbekli Tepe is a sanctuary built on a hilltop in southeastern Turkey.
This temple area features round megalithic buildings while the walls are made of dry stone.
It also includes several monolithic T-shaped limestone columns up to 3 metres (10 ft) high.
The site was established by hunters in the 10th millennium BC.
Making it the oldest man-made place of worship ever discovered.
It was founded before the invention of writing.
It was also built before the beginning of agriculture and animal husbandry.
Gobekli Tepe, Türkiye
Temple of Amada, Egypt
The Temple of Amada is one of the oldest temples in Egypt , and the oldest in the Nubian region.
It was built by the Egyptian Pharaoh Thutmose III in the 15th century BC.
This temple was dedicated to the worship of Amun and Ra, but modifications to the decoration were made by later pharaohs.
Akhenaten had destroyed the name of Amun throughout the temple for example while Seti restored it again.
Although the temple is very small and has a dilapidated exterior,
However, its interior features some of the best carvings in bright, vibrant colours.
Temple of Amada, Egypt
Temple of Seti I, Egypt
To Pharaoh Seti I on the west bank of the Nile at Abydos.
The ancient temple was built at the end of Seti's reign.
It was probably completed by his son Ramses the Great after his death in 1279 BC.
The temple was not only dedicated to Seti I, but also to a number of gods.
The reliefs in it are among the finest and most detailed in all of Egypt.
It also contains the Abydos King List.
It is a chronological list of the various dynasties of pharaohs in Egypt from Menes
He is the Egyptian king credited with founding the First Dynasty, up to Ramesses I, Seti's father.
Temple of Seti I, Egypt
The Hypogeum, Malta
The Hypogeum in Malta is the only underground temple in the world.
It consists of halls, rooms and corridors carved into the rock.
It is believed to have originally been a sanctuary, and became a cemetery in prehistoric times.
The complex is divided into three levels – the upper level was built in (3600-3300 BC).
While the Middle (3300-3000 BC).
The lower level (3150 - 2500 BC).
The deepest room in the basement is 10.6 metres (35 feet) below ground.
Only a limited number of visitors are allowed in and there can be a 2-3 week wait for a ticket.
The Hypogeum, Malta
Temple of Hatshepsut, Egypt
Hatshepsut was the queen who ruled Egypt from about 1479 BC until her death in 1458 BC.
The temple is located below the cliffs of Deir el-Bahari on the west bank of the Nile.
It is a pillared structure, designed and executed by Senemut, the royal architect of Hatshepsut.
This was to serve her worship after her death and to honor the glory of Amun.
The temple is built on a steeply rising cliff face and consists of three layered terraces up to 30 metres high.
These terraces were connected by long slopes that were surrounded by gardens.
Temple of Hatshepsut, Egypt
Luxor Temple, Ancient Thebes, Egypt
This temple is located on the eastern bank of the Nile River in the ancient city of Thebes and is considered one of the oldest temples.
It was founded in 1400 BC during the New Kingdom era.
The temple was dedicated to the three Egyptian gods Amun, Mut and Ch'unze.
This ancient temple was the centre of the Opet Festival, the most important festival of Thebes.
During the annual festival, the statues of the three gods were taken from Karnak to Luxor Temple along the Avenue of Sphinxes that connected the two temples.
The festival lasted for 11 days during the 18th dynasty.
But it became 27 days during the reign of Ramses III in the 20th Dynasty.
Luxor Temple, Ancient Thebes, Egypt
Stonehenge, England
One of the most famous sites in the world, it consists of large stones arranged in a circle in southwest England.
Stonehenge was built in days when no written records were left, so many aspects of Stonehenge remain subject to debate.
Evidence suggests that the iconic stone monument was erected around 2500 BC.
While the last known construction at Stonehenge was around 1600 BC.
The giant stones may have come from a quarry, about 40 kilometres north of Stonehenge on the Marlborough Downs.
It is not known for certain what purpose Stonehenge served.
However, many scholars believe that the monument was used as a ceremonial or religious center.
Today, it is a popular tourist destination in England with people coming from all over the UK.
Stonehenge, England
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