What is the oldest building in the world still in use?










39















What is the oldest building or structure in the world that's still in regular use today?



For the sake of the question, I'm not looking for something that still exists purely as a tourist attraction. (Unless the building is closed to the public part time to allow it to serve its purpose. ex: a church that's open to tourists, but still runs regular services.)










share|improve this question



















  • 4





    Would Stonehenge count?

    – mts
    Jul 11 '16 at 18:13






  • 31





    Does the Great Wall of China still defend against Mongol hordes?

    – Azor Ahai
    Jul 11 '16 at 22:36






  • 2





    @Azor-Ahai it doesn't have to be the original usage. It's still a great tourist attraction of China.

    – John Dvorak
    Jul 12 '16 at 4:01







  • 2





    Maeshowe, maybe, or Skara Brae or the Ring of Brodgar. They predate Stonehenge by a fair bit and two of them are still used. Skara Brae is now just a tourist site.

    – Rory Alsop
    Jul 12 '16 at 16:40












  • @Azor-Ahai wiki says the great wall goes as far back as seven centuries BCE so why not make that an answer together with some sources? you'll have my +1

    – mts
    Jul 12 '16 at 16:46















39















What is the oldest building or structure in the world that's still in regular use today?



For the sake of the question, I'm not looking for something that still exists purely as a tourist attraction. (Unless the building is closed to the public part time to allow it to serve its purpose. ex: a church that's open to tourists, but still runs regular services.)










share|improve this question



















  • 4





    Would Stonehenge count?

    – mts
    Jul 11 '16 at 18:13






  • 31





    Does the Great Wall of China still defend against Mongol hordes?

    – Azor Ahai
    Jul 11 '16 at 22:36






  • 2





    @Azor-Ahai it doesn't have to be the original usage. It's still a great tourist attraction of China.

    – John Dvorak
    Jul 12 '16 at 4:01







  • 2





    Maeshowe, maybe, or Skara Brae or the Ring of Brodgar. They predate Stonehenge by a fair bit and two of them are still used. Skara Brae is now just a tourist site.

    – Rory Alsop
    Jul 12 '16 at 16:40












  • @Azor-Ahai wiki says the great wall goes as far back as seven centuries BCE so why not make that an answer together with some sources? you'll have my +1

    – mts
    Jul 12 '16 at 16:46













39












39








39


5






What is the oldest building or structure in the world that's still in regular use today?



For the sake of the question, I'm not looking for something that still exists purely as a tourist attraction. (Unless the building is closed to the public part time to allow it to serve its purpose. ex: a church that's open to tourists, but still runs regular services.)










share|improve this question
















What is the oldest building or structure in the world that's still in regular use today?



For the sake of the question, I'm not looking for something that still exists purely as a tourist attraction. (Unless the building is closed to the public part time to allow it to serve its purpose. ex: a church that's open to tourists, but still runs regular services.)







where-on-earth factoids architecture landmarks






share|improve this question















share|improve this question













share|improve this question




share|improve this question








edited Jul 12 '16 at 6:03









200_success

2,52011827




2,52011827










asked Jul 11 '16 at 18:11









ThunderGuppyThunderGuppy

455148




455148







  • 4





    Would Stonehenge count?

    – mts
    Jul 11 '16 at 18:13






  • 31





    Does the Great Wall of China still defend against Mongol hordes?

    – Azor Ahai
    Jul 11 '16 at 22:36






  • 2





    @Azor-Ahai it doesn't have to be the original usage. It's still a great tourist attraction of China.

    – John Dvorak
    Jul 12 '16 at 4:01







  • 2





    Maeshowe, maybe, or Skara Brae or the Ring of Brodgar. They predate Stonehenge by a fair bit and two of them are still used. Skara Brae is now just a tourist site.

    – Rory Alsop
    Jul 12 '16 at 16:40












  • @Azor-Ahai wiki says the great wall goes as far back as seven centuries BCE so why not make that an answer together with some sources? you'll have my +1

    – mts
    Jul 12 '16 at 16:46












  • 4





    Would Stonehenge count?

    – mts
    Jul 11 '16 at 18:13






  • 31





    Does the Great Wall of China still defend against Mongol hordes?

    – Azor Ahai
    Jul 11 '16 at 22:36






  • 2





    @Azor-Ahai it doesn't have to be the original usage. It's still a great tourist attraction of China.

    – John Dvorak
    Jul 12 '16 at 4:01







  • 2





    Maeshowe, maybe, or Skara Brae or the Ring of Brodgar. They predate Stonehenge by a fair bit and two of them are still used. Skara Brae is now just a tourist site.

    – Rory Alsop
    Jul 12 '16 at 16:40












  • @Azor-Ahai wiki says the great wall goes as far back as seven centuries BCE so why not make that an answer together with some sources? you'll have my +1

    – mts
    Jul 12 '16 at 16:46







4




4





Would Stonehenge count?

– mts
Jul 11 '16 at 18:13





Would Stonehenge count?

– mts
Jul 11 '16 at 18:13




31




31





Does the Great Wall of China still defend against Mongol hordes?

– Azor Ahai
Jul 11 '16 at 22:36





Does the Great Wall of China still defend against Mongol hordes?

– Azor Ahai
Jul 11 '16 at 22:36




2




2





@Azor-Ahai it doesn't have to be the original usage. It's still a great tourist attraction of China.

– John Dvorak
Jul 12 '16 at 4:01






@Azor-Ahai it doesn't have to be the original usage. It's still a great tourist attraction of China.

– John Dvorak
Jul 12 '16 at 4:01





2




2





Maeshowe, maybe, or Skara Brae or the Ring of Brodgar. They predate Stonehenge by a fair bit and two of them are still used. Skara Brae is now just a tourist site.

– Rory Alsop
Jul 12 '16 at 16:40






Maeshowe, maybe, or Skara Brae or the Ring of Brodgar. They predate Stonehenge by a fair bit and two of them are still used. Skara Brae is now just a tourist site.

– Rory Alsop
Jul 12 '16 at 16:40














@Azor-Ahai wiki says the great wall goes as far back as seven centuries BCE so why not make that an answer together with some sources? you'll have my +1

– mts
Jul 12 '16 at 16:46





@Azor-Ahai wiki says the great wall goes as far back as seven centuries BCE so why not make that an answer together with some sources? you'll have my +1

– mts
Jul 12 '16 at 16:46










7 Answers
7






active

oldest

votes


















49














This question is hard to answer since you would have to define "in use" very precisely. Here are some wild guesses:



  • Wikipedia has a list of the oldest buildings in the world. Prominently feature tombs/graves/similar and you could well argue they are still in use. That would go back as far as very roughly 4000 B.C.


  • Stonehenge is believed to have been constructed ca. 3000 - 2000 B.C. and still a place of religious significance for e.g. neopaganism.

  • Parts of the Great Stupa of Sanchi are from as early as 300 B.C. and the complex is still in use as a temple.

  • The Verona Arena is dated 30 A.D. and still used e.g. for concerts.

Further reading:



  • 15 of the World's Oldest Buildings Still in Use Today

  • The same question on History SE: Oldest building in the world still in use

The accepted answer there is the Pantheon in Rome from 128 A.D. and still a church to day. However the most upvoted answer points to several arenas/theaters still in occasional use.




The Epidaurus Theatre (ca. 300-340 BC), the Delphi theatre (4th century BC) and the Odeon of Herodes Atticus (161 AD) in the Acropolis of Athens (known locally as the the Herodeon), still fulfil their original purpose, all three are constantly used as venues for various festivals. The ancient theatre in Dion is also used occasionally.







share|improve this answer




















  • 3





    There are other stone circles which are probably older than Stonehenge, and also used by neopagans. eg Calanais

    – vclaw
    Jul 11 '16 at 22:22







  • 20





    Stonehenge is not "still" in use as a place of religious significance; that implies unbroken continuity between its ancient users and its modern ones, which does not exist. The structure was disused for a long time. The current religious use of Stonehenge is a very recent phenomenon with no direct connection to its ancient use.

    – Paul Legato
    Jul 12 '16 at 3:50







  • 7





    @PaulLegato "Are you still eating that stuff?" "No, I've stopped for a week about a month ago"

    – John Dvorak
    Jul 12 '16 at 4:04






  • 4





    @JanDvorak This is especially pertinent to the case of StoneHenge since there, given the timescales. It would be closer to your friend having played when he was 8 then giving up when he was 9, starting again at 30 and you meeting him when he's 31. Anyone answering "Yes I still play the piano," in this example would be very strange.

    – DRF
    Jul 12 '16 at 20:13






  • 3





    @DRF: re: continuous use or not: What really matters here is that both versions of the question are interesting, and I'd like to see answers for both. "Still in use for the original purpose" rules out a lot of things that are basically only in use as tourist attractions / museums, which I think is a lot less interesting. I'd also be interested in a list of buildings other than religious buildings and arenas. i.e. are there any other kinds of buildings that have stood the test of time?

    – Peter Cordes
    Jul 12 '16 at 23:01



















20














The Theatre of Epidaurus (4th century BCE!) still has performances. It is not, however, an enclosed building.






share|improve this answer


















  • 2





    And it is considered the top Theater in Greece. Back when things were more serious, it was the ultimate honor for an artist, to perform there.

    – gsamaras
    Jul 19 '16 at 17:20


















19














The Great Pyramid of Giza initially had two functions, to serve as a tomb for the pharaoh, and to demonstrate his power and prestige. Today, it has two functions, to serve as a tourist attraction and to demonstrate the power and prestige of the pharaohs. It is a structure that has continuously fulfilled one of its functions since 2540 BC.



As far as I know, it is never closed to tourists to fulfill its status symbol function, but it makes quite a good status symbol even while open.






share|improve this answer


















  • 3





    There are several older Pyramids that would probably be technically better answers, but the Pyramids certainly are not unreasonable answers in general for the reasons you state.

    – Joe
    Jul 12 '16 at 17:45











  • Wouldn't it serve three? Or is it no longer a tomb for the pharoh?

    – mkingsbu
    Jul 12 '16 at 18:08






  • 1





    @mkingsbu The whereabouts of Khufu's mummy are currently unknown. If it is in the pyramid, it is well hidden.

    – Patricia Shanahan
    Jul 12 '16 at 19:13











  • @Joe I think the Great Pyramid is doing a better job of continued function as a status symbol than e.g. the Bent Pyramid.

    – Patricia Shanahan
    Jul 12 '16 at 19:15


















13














The Etchmiadzin Cathedral was built in 301 AD.




The original church was built in the early fourth century—between 301 and 303 according to tradition—by Armenia's patron saint Gregory the Illuminator, following the adoption of Christianity as a state religion by King Tiridates III. It replaced a preexisting temple, symbolizing the conversion from paganism to Christianity. The core of the current building was built in 483/4 by Vahan Mamikonian after the cathedral was severely damaged in a Persian invasion. From its foundation until the second half of the fifth century, Etchmiadzin was the seat of the Catholicos, the supreme head of the Armenian Church.







share|improve this answer
































    10














    I have prayed at the Western Wall of The Temple Mount in Jerusalem. My ancestors have been priests there since about the 10th century BC.



    enter image description here






    share|improve this answer

























    • The original temple mount does not exist.

      – hownowbrowncow
      Dec 22 '16 at 18:06



















    5














    A lot depends on your definitions of "building", "use", and whether "use" is required to be continuous throughout history. A good candidate is the pantheon in Rome (AD 128). It was a place of pagan worship to start with, became a church when Rome became Christian, and has been in use as a church since then. Amphitheatres and pyramids don't really fit the "walls supporting a roof" definition of "building".






    share|improve this answer


















    • 1





      I intentionally didn't specify what I meant by building in the hopes of getting more diverse answers.

      – ThunderGuppy
      Jul 12 '16 at 18:08


















    0














    The cathedral in Syracuse was built as a temple to Athena? around 500BCE, and converted into a church around 500CE






    share|improve this answer























    • Any links to back this up, especially showing that it is still in use today? Thanks.

      – Jan Doggen
      Nov 25 '18 at 22:02










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    7 Answers
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    7 Answers
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    active

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    49














    This question is hard to answer since you would have to define "in use" very precisely. Here are some wild guesses:



    • Wikipedia has a list of the oldest buildings in the world. Prominently feature tombs/graves/similar and you could well argue they are still in use. That would go back as far as very roughly 4000 B.C.


    • Stonehenge is believed to have been constructed ca. 3000 - 2000 B.C. and still a place of religious significance for e.g. neopaganism.

    • Parts of the Great Stupa of Sanchi are from as early as 300 B.C. and the complex is still in use as a temple.

    • The Verona Arena is dated 30 A.D. and still used e.g. for concerts.

    Further reading:



    • 15 of the World's Oldest Buildings Still in Use Today

    • The same question on History SE: Oldest building in the world still in use

    The accepted answer there is the Pantheon in Rome from 128 A.D. and still a church to day. However the most upvoted answer points to several arenas/theaters still in occasional use.




    The Epidaurus Theatre (ca. 300-340 BC), the Delphi theatre (4th century BC) and the Odeon of Herodes Atticus (161 AD) in the Acropolis of Athens (known locally as the the Herodeon), still fulfil their original purpose, all three are constantly used as venues for various festivals. The ancient theatre in Dion is also used occasionally.







    share|improve this answer




















    • 3





      There are other stone circles which are probably older than Stonehenge, and also used by neopagans. eg Calanais

      – vclaw
      Jul 11 '16 at 22:22







    • 20





      Stonehenge is not "still" in use as a place of religious significance; that implies unbroken continuity between its ancient users and its modern ones, which does not exist. The structure was disused for a long time. The current religious use of Stonehenge is a very recent phenomenon with no direct connection to its ancient use.

      – Paul Legato
      Jul 12 '16 at 3:50







    • 7





      @PaulLegato "Are you still eating that stuff?" "No, I've stopped for a week about a month ago"

      – John Dvorak
      Jul 12 '16 at 4:04






    • 4





      @JanDvorak This is especially pertinent to the case of StoneHenge since there, given the timescales. It would be closer to your friend having played when he was 8 then giving up when he was 9, starting again at 30 and you meeting him when he's 31. Anyone answering "Yes I still play the piano," in this example would be very strange.

      – DRF
      Jul 12 '16 at 20:13






    • 3





      @DRF: re: continuous use or not: What really matters here is that both versions of the question are interesting, and I'd like to see answers for both. "Still in use for the original purpose" rules out a lot of things that are basically only in use as tourist attractions / museums, which I think is a lot less interesting. I'd also be interested in a list of buildings other than religious buildings and arenas. i.e. are there any other kinds of buildings that have stood the test of time?

      – Peter Cordes
      Jul 12 '16 at 23:01
















    49














    This question is hard to answer since you would have to define "in use" very precisely. Here are some wild guesses:



    • Wikipedia has a list of the oldest buildings in the world. Prominently feature tombs/graves/similar and you could well argue they are still in use. That would go back as far as very roughly 4000 B.C.


    • Stonehenge is believed to have been constructed ca. 3000 - 2000 B.C. and still a place of religious significance for e.g. neopaganism.

    • Parts of the Great Stupa of Sanchi are from as early as 300 B.C. and the complex is still in use as a temple.

    • The Verona Arena is dated 30 A.D. and still used e.g. for concerts.

    Further reading:



    • 15 of the World's Oldest Buildings Still in Use Today

    • The same question on History SE: Oldest building in the world still in use

    The accepted answer there is the Pantheon in Rome from 128 A.D. and still a church to day. However the most upvoted answer points to several arenas/theaters still in occasional use.




    The Epidaurus Theatre (ca. 300-340 BC), the Delphi theatre (4th century BC) and the Odeon of Herodes Atticus (161 AD) in the Acropolis of Athens (known locally as the the Herodeon), still fulfil their original purpose, all three are constantly used as venues for various festivals. The ancient theatre in Dion is also used occasionally.







    share|improve this answer




















    • 3





      There are other stone circles which are probably older than Stonehenge, and also used by neopagans. eg Calanais

      – vclaw
      Jul 11 '16 at 22:22







    • 20





      Stonehenge is not "still" in use as a place of religious significance; that implies unbroken continuity between its ancient users and its modern ones, which does not exist. The structure was disused for a long time. The current religious use of Stonehenge is a very recent phenomenon with no direct connection to its ancient use.

      – Paul Legato
      Jul 12 '16 at 3:50







    • 7





      @PaulLegato "Are you still eating that stuff?" "No, I've stopped for a week about a month ago"

      – John Dvorak
      Jul 12 '16 at 4:04






    • 4





      @JanDvorak This is especially pertinent to the case of StoneHenge since there, given the timescales. It would be closer to your friend having played when he was 8 then giving up when he was 9, starting again at 30 and you meeting him when he's 31. Anyone answering "Yes I still play the piano," in this example would be very strange.

      – DRF
      Jul 12 '16 at 20:13






    • 3





      @DRF: re: continuous use or not: What really matters here is that both versions of the question are interesting, and I'd like to see answers for both. "Still in use for the original purpose" rules out a lot of things that are basically only in use as tourist attractions / museums, which I think is a lot less interesting. I'd also be interested in a list of buildings other than religious buildings and arenas. i.e. are there any other kinds of buildings that have stood the test of time?

      – Peter Cordes
      Jul 12 '16 at 23:01














    49












    49








    49







    This question is hard to answer since you would have to define "in use" very precisely. Here are some wild guesses:



    • Wikipedia has a list of the oldest buildings in the world. Prominently feature tombs/graves/similar and you could well argue they are still in use. That would go back as far as very roughly 4000 B.C.


    • Stonehenge is believed to have been constructed ca. 3000 - 2000 B.C. and still a place of religious significance for e.g. neopaganism.

    • Parts of the Great Stupa of Sanchi are from as early as 300 B.C. and the complex is still in use as a temple.

    • The Verona Arena is dated 30 A.D. and still used e.g. for concerts.

    Further reading:



    • 15 of the World's Oldest Buildings Still in Use Today

    • The same question on History SE: Oldest building in the world still in use

    The accepted answer there is the Pantheon in Rome from 128 A.D. and still a church to day. However the most upvoted answer points to several arenas/theaters still in occasional use.




    The Epidaurus Theatre (ca. 300-340 BC), the Delphi theatre (4th century BC) and the Odeon of Herodes Atticus (161 AD) in the Acropolis of Athens (known locally as the the Herodeon), still fulfil their original purpose, all three are constantly used as venues for various festivals. The ancient theatre in Dion is also used occasionally.







    share|improve this answer















    This question is hard to answer since you would have to define "in use" very precisely. Here are some wild guesses:



    • Wikipedia has a list of the oldest buildings in the world. Prominently feature tombs/graves/similar and you could well argue they are still in use. That would go back as far as very roughly 4000 B.C.


    • Stonehenge is believed to have been constructed ca. 3000 - 2000 B.C. and still a place of religious significance for e.g. neopaganism.

    • Parts of the Great Stupa of Sanchi are from as early as 300 B.C. and the complex is still in use as a temple.

    • The Verona Arena is dated 30 A.D. and still used e.g. for concerts.

    Further reading:



    • 15 of the World's Oldest Buildings Still in Use Today

    • The same question on History SE: Oldest building in the world still in use

    The accepted answer there is the Pantheon in Rome from 128 A.D. and still a church to day. However the most upvoted answer points to several arenas/theaters still in occasional use.




    The Epidaurus Theatre (ca. 300-340 BC), the Delphi theatre (4th century BC) and the Odeon of Herodes Atticus (161 AD) in the Acropolis of Athens (known locally as the the Herodeon), still fulfil their original purpose, all three are constantly used as venues for various festivals. The ancient theatre in Dion is also used occasionally.








    share|improve this answer














    share|improve this answer



    share|improve this answer








    edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:47









    Community

    1




    1










    answered Jul 11 '16 at 18:37









    mtsmts

    22.9k11108203




    22.9k11108203







    • 3





      There are other stone circles which are probably older than Stonehenge, and also used by neopagans. eg Calanais

      – vclaw
      Jul 11 '16 at 22:22







    • 20





      Stonehenge is not "still" in use as a place of religious significance; that implies unbroken continuity between its ancient users and its modern ones, which does not exist. The structure was disused for a long time. The current religious use of Stonehenge is a very recent phenomenon with no direct connection to its ancient use.

      – Paul Legato
      Jul 12 '16 at 3:50







    • 7





      @PaulLegato "Are you still eating that stuff?" "No, I've stopped for a week about a month ago"

      – John Dvorak
      Jul 12 '16 at 4:04






    • 4





      @JanDvorak This is especially pertinent to the case of StoneHenge since there, given the timescales. It would be closer to your friend having played when he was 8 then giving up when he was 9, starting again at 30 and you meeting him when he's 31. Anyone answering "Yes I still play the piano," in this example would be very strange.

      – DRF
      Jul 12 '16 at 20:13






    • 3





      @DRF: re: continuous use or not: What really matters here is that both versions of the question are interesting, and I'd like to see answers for both. "Still in use for the original purpose" rules out a lot of things that are basically only in use as tourist attractions / museums, which I think is a lot less interesting. I'd also be interested in a list of buildings other than religious buildings and arenas. i.e. are there any other kinds of buildings that have stood the test of time?

      – Peter Cordes
      Jul 12 '16 at 23:01













    • 3





      There are other stone circles which are probably older than Stonehenge, and also used by neopagans. eg Calanais

      – vclaw
      Jul 11 '16 at 22:22







    • 20





      Stonehenge is not "still" in use as a place of religious significance; that implies unbroken continuity between its ancient users and its modern ones, which does not exist. The structure was disused for a long time. The current religious use of Stonehenge is a very recent phenomenon with no direct connection to its ancient use.

      – Paul Legato
      Jul 12 '16 at 3:50







    • 7





      @PaulLegato "Are you still eating that stuff?" "No, I've stopped for a week about a month ago"

      – John Dvorak
      Jul 12 '16 at 4:04






    • 4





      @JanDvorak This is especially pertinent to the case of StoneHenge since there, given the timescales. It would be closer to your friend having played when he was 8 then giving up when he was 9, starting again at 30 and you meeting him when he's 31. Anyone answering "Yes I still play the piano," in this example would be very strange.

      – DRF
      Jul 12 '16 at 20:13






    • 3





      @DRF: re: continuous use or not: What really matters here is that both versions of the question are interesting, and I'd like to see answers for both. "Still in use for the original purpose" rules out a lot of things that are basically only in use as tourist attractions / museums, which I think is a lot less interesting. I'd also be interested in a list of buildings other than religious buildings and arenas. i.e. are there any other kinds of buildings that have stood the test of time?

      – Peter Cordes
      Jul 12 '16 at 23:01








    3




    3





    There are other stone circles which are probably older than Stonehenge, and also used by neopagans. eg Calanais

    – vclaw
    Jul 11 '16 at 22:22






    There are other stone circles which are probably older than Stonehenge, and also used by neopagans. eg Calanais

    – vclaw
    Jul 11 '16 at 22:22





    20




    20





    Stonehenge is not "still" in use as a place of religious significance; that implies unbroken continuity between its ancient users and its modern ones, which does not exist. The structure was disused for a long time. The current religious use of Stonehenge is a very recent phenomenon with no direct connection to its ancient use.

    – Paul Legato
    Jul 12 '16 at 3:50






    Stonehenge is not "still" in use as a place of religious significance; that implies unbroken continuity between its ancient users and its modern ones, which does not exist. The structure was disused for a long time. The current religious use of Stonehenge is a very recent phenomenon with no direct connection to its ancient use.

    – Paul Legato
    Jul 12 '16 at 3:50





    7




    7





    @PaulLegato "Are you still eating that stuff?" "No, I've stopped for a week about a month ago"

    – John Dvorak
    Jul 12 '16 at 4:04





    @PaulLegato "Are you still eating that stuff?" "No, I've stopped for a week about a month ago"

    – John Dvorak
    Jul 12 '16 at 4:04




    4




    4





    @JanDvorak This is especially pertinent to the case of StoneHenge since there, given the timescales. It would be closer to your friend having played when he was 8 then giving up when he was 9, starting again at 30 and you meeting him when he's 31. Anyone answering "Yes I still play the piano," in this example would be very strange.

    – DRF
    Jul 12 '16 at 20:13





    @JanDvorak This is especially pertinent to the case of StoneHenge since there, given the timescales. It would be closer to your friend having played when he was 8 then giving up when he was 9, starting again at 30 and you meeting him when he's 31. Anyone answering "Yes I still play the piano," in this example would be very strange.

    – DRF
    Jul 12 '16 at 20:13




    3




    3





    @DRF: re: continuous use or not: What really matters here is that both versions of the question are interesting, and I'd like to see answers for both. "Still in use for the original purpose" rules out a lot of things that are basically only in use as tourist attractions / museums, which I think is a lot less interesting. I'd also be interested in a list of buildings other than religious buildings and arenas. i.e. are there any other kinds of buildings that have stood the test of time?

    – Peter Cordes
    Jul 12 '16 at 23:01






    @DRF: re: continuous use or not: What really matters here is that both versions of the question are interesting, and I'd like to see answers for both. "Still in use for the original purpose" rules out a lot of things that are basically only in use as tourist attractions / museums, which I think is a lot less interesting. I'd also be interested in a list of buildings other than religious buildings and arenas. i.e. are there any other kinds of buildings that have stood the test of time?

    – Peter Cordes
    Jul 12 '16 at 23:01














    20














    The Theatre of Epidaurus (4th century BCE!) still has performances. It is not, however, an enclosed building.






    share|improve this answer


















    • 2





      And it is considered the top Theater in Greece. Back when things were more serious, it was the ultimate honor for an artist, to perform there.

      – gsamaras
      Jul 19 '16 at 17:20















    20














    The Theatre of Epidaurus (4th century BCE!) still has performances. It is not, however, an enclosed building.






    share|improve this answer


















    • 2





      And it is considered the top Theater in Greece. Back when things were more serious, it was the ultimate honor for an artist, to perform there.

      – gsamaras
      Jul 19 '16 at 17:20













    20












    20








    20







    The Theatre of Epidaurus (4th century BCE!) still has performances. It is not, however, an enclosed building.






    share|improve this answer













    The Theatre of Epidaurus (4th century BCE!) still has performances. It is not, however, an enclosed building.







    share|improve this answer












    share|improve this answer



    share|improve this answer










    answered Jul 11 '16 at 18:31









    Andrew LazarusAndrew Lazarus

    12.7k22253




    12.7k22253







    • 2





      And it is considered the top Theater in Greece. Back when things were more serious, it was the ultimate honor for an artist, to perform there.

      – gsamaras
      Jul 19 '16 at 17:20












    • 2





      And it is considered the top Theater in Greece. Back when things were more serious, it was the ultimate honor for an artist, to perform there.

      – gsamaras
      Jul 19 '16 at 17:20







    2




    2





    And it is considered the top Theater in Greece. Back when things were more serious, it was the ultimate honor for an artist, to perform there.

    – gsamaras
    Jul 19 '16 at 17:20





    And it is considered the top Theater in Greece. Back when things were more serious, it was the ultimate honor for an artist, to perform there.

    – gsamaras
    Jul 19 '16 at 17:20











    19














    The Great Pyramid of Giza initially had two functions, to serve as a tomb for the pharaoh, and to demonstrate his power and prestige. Today, it has two functions, to serve as a tourist attraction and to demonstrate the power and prestige of the pharaohs. It is a structure that has continuously fulfilled one of its functions since 2540 BC.



    As far as I know, it is never closed to tourists to fulfill its status symbol function, but it makes quite a good status symbol even while open.






    share|improve this answer


















    • 3





      There are several older Pyramids that would probably be technically better answers, but the Pyramids certainly are not unreasonable answers in general for the reasons you state.

      – Joe
      Jul 12 '16 at 17:45











    • Wouldn't it serve three? Or is it no longer a tomb for the pharoh?

      – mkingsbu
      Jul 12 '16 at 18:08






    • 1





      @mkingsbu The whereabouts of Khufu's mummy are currently unknown. If it is in the pyramid, it is well hidden.

      – Patricia Shanahan
      Jul 12 '16 at 19:13











    • @Joe I think the Great Pyramid is doing a better job of continued function as a status symbol than e.g. the Bent Pyramid.

      – Patricia Shanahan
      Jul 12 '16 at 19:15















    19














    The Great Pyramid of Giza initially had two functions, to serve as a tomb for the pharaoh, and to demonstrate his power and prestige. Today, it has two functions, to serve as a tourist attraction and to demonstrate the power and prestige of the pharaohs. It is a structure that has continuously fulfilled one of its functions since 2540 BC.



    As far as I know, it is never closed to tourists to fulfill its status symbol function, but it makes quite a good status symbol even while open.






    share|improve this answer


















    • 3





      There are several older Pyramids that would probably be technically better answers, but the Pyramids certainly are not unreasonable answers in general for the reasons you state.

      – Joe
      Jul 12 '16 at 17:45











    • Wouldn't it serve three? Or is it no longer a tomb for the pharoh?

      – mkingsbu
      Jul 12 '16 at 18:08






    • 1





      @mkingsbu The whereabouts of Khufu's mummy are currently unknown. If it is in the pyramid, it is well hidden.

      – Patricia Shanahan
      Jul 12 '16 at 19:13











    • @Joe I think the Great Pyramid is doing a better job of continued function as a status symbol than e.g. the Bent Pyramid.

      – Patricia Shanahan
      Jul 12 '16 at 19:15













    19












    19








    19







    The Great Pyramid of Giza initially had two functions, to serve as a tomb for the pharaoh, and to demonstrate his power and prestige. Today, it has two functions, to serve as a tourist attraction and to demonstrate the power and prestige of the pharaohs. It is a structure that has continuously fulfilled one of its functions since 2540 BC.



    As far as I know, it is never closed to tourists to fulfill its status symbol function, but it makes quite a good status symbol even while open.






    share|improve this answer













    The Great Pyramid of Giza initially had two functions, to serve as a tomb for the pharaoh, and to demonstrate his power and prestige. Today, it has two functions, to serve as a tourist attraction and to demonstrate the power and prestige of the pharaohs. It is a structure that has continuously fulfilled one of its functions since 2540 BC.



    As far as I know, it is never closed to tourists to fulfill its status symbol function, but it makes quite a good status symbol even while open.







    share|improve this answer












    share|improve this answer



    share|improve this answer










    answered Jul 12 '16 at 17:37









    Patricia ShanahanPatricia Shanahan

    6,54422445




    6,54422445







    • 3





      There are several older Pyramids that would probably be technically better answers, but the Pyramids certainly are not unreasonable answers in general for the reasons you state.

      – Joe
      Jul 12 '16 at 17:45











    • Wouldn't it serve three? Or is it no longer a tomb for the pharoh?

      – mkingsbu
      Jul 12 '16 at 18:08






    • 1





      @mkingsbu The whereabouts of Khufu's mummy are currently unknown. If it is in the pyramid, it is well hidden.

      – Patricia Shanahan
      Jul 12 '16 at 19:13











    • @Joe I think the Great Pyramid is doing a better job of continued function as a status symbol than e.g. the Bent Pyramid.

      – Patricia Shanahan
      Jul 12 '16 at 19:15












    • 3





      There are several older Pyramids that would probably be technically better answers, but the Pyramids certainly are not unreasonable answers in general for the reasons you state.

      – Joe
      Jul 12 '16 at 17:45











    • Wouldn't it serve three? Or is it no longer a tomb for the pharoh?

      – mkingsbu
      Jul 12 '16 at 18:08






    • 1





      @mkingsbu The whereabouts of Khufu's mummy are currently unknown. If it is in the pyramid, it is well hidden.

      – Patricia Shanahan
      Jul 12 '16 at 19:13











    • @Joe I think the Great Pyramid is doing a better job of continued function as a status symbol than e.g. the Bent Pyramid.

      – Patricia Shanahan
      Jul 12 '16 at 19:15







    3




    3





    There are several older Pyramids that would probably be technically better answers, but the Pyramids certainly are not unreasonable answers in general for the reasons you state.

    – Joe
    Jul 12 '16 at 17:45





    There are several older Pyramids that would probably be technically better answers, but the Pyramids certainly are not unreasonable answers in general for the reasons you state.

    – Joe
    Jul 12 '16 at 17:45













    Wouldn't it serve three? Or is it no longer a tomb for the pharoh?

    – mkingsbu
    Jul 12 '16 at 18:08





    Wouldn't it serve three? Or is it no longer a tomb for the pharoh?

    – mkingsbu
    Jul 12 '16 at 18:08




    1




    1





    @mkingsbu The whereabouts of Khufu's mummy are currently unknown. If it is in the pyramid, it is well hidden.

    – Patricia Shanahan
    Jul 12 '16 at 19:13





    @mkingsbu The whereabouts of Khufu's mummy are currently unknown. If it is in the pyramid, it is well hidden.

    – Patricia Shanahan
    Jul 12 '16 at 19:13













    @Joe I think the Great Pyramid is doing a better job of continued function as a status symbol than e.g. the Bent Pyramid.

    – Patricia Shanahan
    Jul 12 '16 at 19:15





    @Joe I think the Great Pyramid is doing a better job of continued function as a status symbol than e.g. the Bent Pyramid.

    – Patricia Shanahan
    Jul 12 '16 at 19:15











    13














    The Etchmiadzin Cathedral was built in 301 AD.




    The original church was built in the early fourth century—between 301 and 303 according to tradition—by Armenia's patron saint Gregory the Illuminator, following the adoption of Christianity as a state religion by King Tiridates III. It replaced a preexisting temple, symbolizing the conversion from paganism to Christianity. The core of the current building was built in 483/4 by Vahan Mamikonian after the cathedral was severely damaged in a Persian invasion. From its foundation until the second half of the fifth century, Etchmiadzin was the seat of the Catholicos, the supreme head of the Armenian Church.







    share|improve this answer





























      13














      The Etchmiadzin Cathedral was built in 301 AD.




      The original church was built in the early fourth century—between 301 and 303 according to tradition—by Armenia's patron saint Gregory the Illuminator, following the adoption of Christianity as a state religion by King Tiridates III. It replaced a preexisting temple, symbolizing the conversion from paganism to Christianity. The core of the current building was built in 483/4 by Vahan Mamikonian after the cathedral was severely damaged in a Persian invasion. From its foundation until the second half of the fifth century, Etchmiadzin was the seat of the Catholicos, the supreme head of the Armenian Church.







      share|improve this answer



























        13












        13








        13







        The Etchmiadzin Cathedral was built in 301 AD.




        The original church was built in the early fourth century—between 301 and 303 according to tradition—by Armenia's patron saint Gregory the Illuminator, following the adoption of Christianity as a state religion by King Tiridates III. It replaced a preexisting temple, symbolizing the conversion from paganism to Christianity. The core of the current building was built in 483/4 by Vahan Mamikonian after the cathedral was severely damaged in a Persian invasion. From its foundation until the second half of the fifth century, Etchmiadzin was the seat of the Catholicos, the supreme head of the Armenian Church.







        share|improve this answer















        The Etchmiadzin Cathedral was built in 301 AD.




        The original church was built in the early fourth century—between 301 and 303 according to tradition—by Armenia's patron saint Gregory the Illuminator, following the adoption of Christianity as a state religion by King Tiridates III. It replaced a preexisting temple, symbolizing the conversion from paganism to Christianity. The core of the current building was built in 483/4 by Vahan Mamikonian after the cathedral was severely damaged in a Persian invasion. From its foundation until the second half of the fifth century, Etchmiadzin was the seat of the Catholicos, the supreme head of the Armenian Church.








        share|improve this answer














        share|improve this answer



        share|improve this answer








        edited Jul 12 '16 at 16:42









        TRiG

        392617




        392617










        answered Jul 11 '16 at 18:14









        hownowbrowncowhownowbrowncow

        307213




        307213





















            10














            I have prayed at the Western Wall of The Temple Mount in Jerusalem. My ancestors have been priests there since about the 10th century BC.



            enter image description here






            share|improve this answer

























            • The original temple mount does not exist.

              – hownowbrowncow
              Dec 22 '16 at 18:06
















            10














            I have prayed at the Western Wall of The Temple Mount in Jerusalem. My ancestors have been priests there since about the 10th century BC.



            enter image description here






            share|improve this answer

























            • The original temple mount does not exist.

              – hownowbrowncow
              Dec 22 '16 at 18:06














            10












            10








            10







            I have prayed at the Western Wall of The Temple Mount in Jerusalem. My ancestors have been priests there since about the 10th century BC.



            enter image description here






            share|improve this answer















            I have prayed at the Western Wall of The Temple Mount in Jerusalem. My ancestors have been priests there since about the 10th century BC.



            enter image description here







            share|improve this answer














            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer








            edited Jul 14 '16 at 6:50

























            answered Jul 13 '16 at 14:32









            dotancohendotancohen

            987614




            987614












            • The original temple mount does not exist.

              – hownowbrowncow
              Dec 22 '16 at 18:06


















            • The original temple mount does not exist.

              – hownowbrowncow
              Dec 22 '16 at 18:06

















            The original temple mount does not exist.

            – hownowbrowncow
            Dec 22 '16 at 18:06






            The original temple mount does not exist.

            – hownowbrowncow
            Dec 22 '16 at 18:06












            5














            A lot depends on your definitions of "building", "use", and whether "use" is required to be continuous throughout history. A good candidate is the pantheon in Rome (AD 128). It was a place of pagan worship to start with, became a church when Rome became Christian, and has been in use as a church since then. Amphitheatres and pyramids don't really fit the "walls supporting a roof" definition of "building".






            share|improve this answer


















            • 1





              I intentionally didn't specify what I meant by building in the hopes of getting more diverse answers.

              – ThunderGuppy
              Jul 12 '16 at 18:08















            5














            A lot depends on your definitions of "building", "use", and whether "use" is required to be continuous throughout history. A good candidate is the pantheon in Rome (AD 128). It was a place of pagan worship to start with, became a church when Rome became Christian, and has been in use as a church since then. Amphitheatres and pyramids don't really fit the "walls supporting a roof" definition of "building".






            share|improve this answer


















            • 1





              I intentionally didn't specify what I meant by building in the hopes of getting more diverse answers.

              – ThunderGuppy
              Jul 12 '16 at 18:08













            5












            5








            5







            A lot depends on your definitions of "building", "use", and whether "use" is required to be continuous throughout history. A good candidate is the pantheon in Rome (AD 128). It was a place of pagan worship to start with, became a church when Rome became Christian, and has been in use as a church since then. Amphitheatres and pyramids don't really fit the "walls supporting a roof" definition of "building".






            share|improve this answer













            A lot depends on your definitions of "building", "use", and whether "use" is required to be continuous throughout history. A good candidate is the pantheon in Rome (AD 128). It was a place of pagan worship to start with, became a church when Rome became Christian, and has been in use as a church since then. Amphitheatres and pyramids don't really fit the "walls supporting a roof" definition of "building".







            share|improve this answer












            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer










            answered Jul 12 '16 at 16:10









            nigel222nigel222

            34914




            34914







            • 1





              I intentionally didn't specify what I meant by building in the hopes of getting more diverse answers.

              – ThunderGuppy
              Jul 12 '16 at 18:08












            • 1





              I intentionally didn't specify what I meant by building in the hopes of getting more diverse answers.

              – ThunderGuppy
              Jul 12 '16 at 18:08







            1




            1





            I intentionally didn't specify what I meant by building in the hopes of getting more diverse answers.

            – ThunderGuppy
            Jul 12 '16 at 18:08





            I intentionally didn't specify what I meant by building in the hopes of getting more diverse answers.

            – ThunderGuppy
            Jul 12 '16 at 18:08











            0














            The cathedral in Syracuse was built as a temple to Athena? around 500BCE, and converted into a church around 500CE






            share|improve this answer























            • Any links to back this up, especially showing that it is still in use today? Thanks.

              – Jan Doggen
              Nov 25 '18 at 22:02















            0














            The cathedral in Syracuse was built as a temple to Athena? around 500BCE, and converted into a church around 500CE






            share|improve this answer























            • Any links to back this up, especially showing that it is still in use today? Thanks.

              – Jan Doggen
              Nov 25 '18 at 22:02













            0












            0








            0







            The cathedral in Syracuse was built as a temple to Athena? around 500BCE, and converted into a church around 500CE






            share|improve this answer













            The cathedral in Syracuse was built as a temple to Athena? around 500BCE, and converted into a church around 500CE







            share|improve this answer












            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer










            answered Nov 25 '18 at 20:35









            Nick ArrowNick Arrow

            1




            1












            • Any links to back this up, especially showing that it is still in use today? Thanks.

              – Jan Doggen
              Nov 25 '18 at 22:02

















            • Any links to back this up, especially showing that it is still in use today? Thanks.

              – Jan Doggen
              Nov 25 '18 at 22:02
















            Any links to back this up, especially showing that it is still in use today? Thanks.

            – Jan Doggen
            Nov 25 '18 at 22:02





            Any links to back this up, especially showing that it is still in use today? Thanks.

            – Jan Doggen
            Nov 25 '18 at 22:02

















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