As we know, from ancient times, there has been a great architectural work has been done worldwide. From the desert of Egypt to the plains of Iran, from Sri Lanka’s Ruwanwelisaya Stupa to Sanchi Stupa of Madhya Pradesh, India, are some of the oldest and marvellous architectural works around the world.
These buildings are nearly 12,000 years old, which stands as the best testament to humanity’s earliest architectural genius.
Some of these oldest buildings, which are some ancient structures, have defied wars, earthquakes, and centuries of changing civilisations. But still, they are the best infrastructure in the world, which is one of the best examples of architectural works.
Here are 11 of the world’s oldest surviving buildings, listed from the comparatively “younger” to the truly ancient marvels.
Top 10 Oldest Buildings in the World
| Structure | Location | Year Built | Significance |
| Pantheon | Rome, Italy | 125 AD | World’s largest unreinforced concrete dome showcases Roman mastery of engineering and proportion. |
| Colosseum | Rome, Italy | 70–80 AD | Grand amphitheatre for gladiatorial contests; iconic Roman symbol of architecture and culture. |
| Maison Carrée | Nîmes, France | 16 BC | Best-preserved Roman temple; inspired Thomas Jefferson’s Virginia State Capitol design. |
| Ruwanwelisaya Stupa | Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka | 140 BC | Sacred Buddhist stupa; flawless hemispherical dome, surrounded by elephant carvings. |
| Mausoleum of Qin Shi Huang | Xi’an, China | 246–208 BC | Burial site of China’s first emperor; guarded by the famous Terracotta Army. |
| Sanchi Stupa | Madhya Pradesh, India | 3rd Century BC | Commissioned by Ashoka, a UNESCO site, an early Buddhist monument with intricate stone carvings. |
| Parthenon | Athens, Greece | 447–432 BC | Symbol of Greek civilisation; optical illusions in design create harmony and balance. |
| Tomb of Cyrus the Great | Pasargadae, Iran | 530 BC | The founder of the Persian Empire’s mausoleum; a simple yet resilient limestone structure. |
| Ziggurat of Ur | Iraq | 2100 BC | The Mesopotamian stepped temple, symbolically linked earth and heaven, was a key Sumerian site. |
| Great Pyramid of Giza | Giza, Egypt | 2560 BC | Tallest man-made structure for 3,800 years; precision alignment still amazes engineers. |
Brief overview of the Oldest Buildings in the World
1. Pantheon, Rome, Italy (125 AD)
Source: civitavecchia
The Pantheon is the world’s largest unreinforced concrete dome. This is a masterpiece of Roman engineering and architecture. It was built nearly 2,000 years ago, and this domed wonder still holds the record for the world’s largest unreinforced concrete dome.
Its perfect proportions – the height equals the diameter – reveal a level of precision that continues to amaze modern architects. The dramatic oculus at its centre opens directly to the sky, symbolising a connection between heaven and earth.
2. Colosseum, Rome, Italy (70–80 AD)
Source: visit-rome-in-italy
The Colosseum of Rome, which is in Italy, is the Grand amphitheatre for gladiatorial contests; an iconic Roman symbol of architecture and culture.
It was inaugurated around 70-80 AD, and it could seat over 50,000 spectators for gladiatorial combat. It is recognised as one of the classical civilisations and a global cultural icon.
3. Maison Carrée, Nîmes, France (16 BC)
Source: whc.unesco.org
Maison Carrée is one of the oldest temples in Southern France, and it is the Best-preserved Roman temple; it inspired Thomas Jefferson’s Virginia State Capitol design.
4. Ruwanwelisaya Stupa, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka (140 BC)
Source: lankatourexperts
The Ruwanwelisaya Stupa of Buddhism in Srilanka is not only an architectural feat but a Sacred Buddhist stupa; a flawless hemispherical dome, surrounded by elephant carvings.
The surrounding walls, decorated with thousands of carved elephants, symbolise strength and wisdom.
5. Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor, Xi’an, China (246–208 BC)
Source: chinaxiantour
The Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor is the burial of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, built in China.The highlight is the Terracotta Army, discovered in 1974 – an underground army of thousands of life-sized soldiers and horses meant to guard the emperor in the afterlife.
The tomb itself remains unopened, shrouded in mystery and legends of mercury rivers flowing beneath.
6. Sanchi Stupa, Madhya Pradesh, India (3rd Century BC)
Source: flickr
Sanchi Stupa was commissioned by the Emperor Ashoka. The Great Stupa at Sanchi is one of Buddhism’s earliest monumental structures.
The intricate stone carvings, created by artisans once skilled in ivory, showcase India’s ancient craftsmanship. This UNESCO World Heritage Site continues to inspire pilgrims and historians alike.
7. Parthenon, Athens, Greece (447–432 BC)
Source: getty images
The Parthenon of Greece is the epitome of classical Greek architecture. It was the curved subtitles, the angled column, and its optically refined nature that created the illusion of perfect harmony
8. Tomb of Cyrus the Great, Pasargadae, Iran (530 BC)
Source: pasargadae
The Tomb of Cyrus the Great is the most powerful mausoleum in Iran. Unlike ornate royal tombs, the structure is minimalistic – a stepped base supporting a small stone chamber with a gabled roof. Its understated elegance and resilience have preserved it for over 2,500 years.
9. Ziggurat of Ur, Iraq (2100 BC)
Source: defense.gov
One of Mesopotamia’s most striking remains, this stepped temple connected heaven and earth in Sumerian belief. Built of sun-dried bricks coated with bitumen, it has withstood desert sands for more than four millennia. Excavations here revealed treasures that shed light on one of the world’s first urban civilisations.
10. Great Pyramid of Giza, Egypt (2560 BC)
Source: practically
The Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt is the most iconic pyramid of Egypt, which is the tallest man-made structure from nearly 2560 BC.
The Great Pyramid of Giza is an extraordinary precision, which is aligned almost perfectly with true north – it continues to puzzle engineers.
This pyramid consists of narrow passages and chambers, which include the King’s Chamber with its massive granite sarcophagus.
Conclusion
These ancient monuments are not just normal and simple buildings, rather they are the best architecture done from ancient times, and these building shows the stories of faith, power, creativity, and resilience.These buildings are not just relics of stone but living lessons in engineering, culture, and history. From Egypt’s pyramids to India’s stupas, they remind us that human ambition to build for eternity began thousands of years ago – and continues to inspire today.
Also Read: Top 10 Largest Hindu Temples in India
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