# Oldest building in continious use **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 24, 2012, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oldest-building-in-continious-use/610502 "2012-01-24T15:07:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2012, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oldest-building-in-continious-use/610502/1 "2012-01-24T15:07:28Z")
Excluding tombs like the Great Pyramids, which is the oldest building in the wordl which is in continious use till today? I had thought about [Newgrange](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newgrange) but apparently it was sealed for centuries. Google seems to suggest the Pantheon in Athens. I am willing to accept modifications to the structure including major (but not complete) rebuilds as well as changes to the use over time (a military fort, a royal residence, a castle, a prison, barracks etc). And it has to be a building, not just works or fortifications (a castle fine, the Great Wall, not so much). ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2012, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oldest-building-in-continious-use/610502/2 "2012-01-24T15:18:42Z")
It’s probably not the oldest, but as a benchmark the **Pantheon** in Rome has been in continuous use as a church or temple since it was built in about 126 CE. Aside from being closed for repairs, I don’t think it’s ever been out of use, and it still retains the bulk of its original appearance, despite additions. And it’s still in continuous use as a Catholic church. So that’s almost 1900 years of continuous use. ---
**Author:** ![clairobscur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/839c29/32.png) [@clairobscur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clairobscur)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2012, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oldest-building-in-continious-use/610502/3 "2012-01-24T15:23:00Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > Excluding tombs like the Great Pyramids, which is the oldest building in the wordl which is in continious use till today? I had thought about [Newgrange](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newgrange) I’ve no answer, but I had never heard of Newgrange. Interesting, thanks. ---
**Author:** ![coremelt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4491bb/32.png) [@coremelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coremelt)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2012, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oldest-building-in-continious-use/610502/4 "2012-01-24T15:32:16Z")
Well it’s a long shot but what the Well of Souls, underneath the Dome of the Rock on Temple Mount. > **[Well of Souls](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Well_of_Souls)** > > The Well of Souls (Arabic: بئر الأرواح, romanized: Biʾr al-Arwaḥ; sometimes translated Pit of Souls, Cave of Spirits, or Well of Spirits), is a partly natural, partly man-made cave located inside the Foundation Stone ("Noble Rock" in Islam) under the Dome of the Rock shrine on the Temple Mount (Haram al-Sharif) in Jerusalem. During the Crusader period, it was known to Christians as the "Holy of Holies", referring to the inner sanctum of the former Jewish Temple, which according to modern sc The... It may (or may not) be a part of the Second Temple constructed 516BC. Apart from that, this list might help: > **[List of oldest continuously inhabited cities](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_cities_by_time_of_continuous_habitation)** > > This is a list of present-day cities by the time period over which they have been continuously inhabited as a city. The age claims listed are generally disputed. Differences in opinion can result from different definitions of "city" as well as "continuous habitation" and historical evidence is often disputed. Caveats (and sources) to the validity of each claim are discussed in the "Notes" column. > The port city of Janggala or Hujung Galuh was one of the two Javanese capital city that was formed... ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2012, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oldest-building-in-continious-use/610502/5 "2012-01-24T15:34:59Z")
Actually, the Pantheon might be the winner. The **Maison Carre** is older, having been built circa 16 BC. It’s the best really complete temple from the classical world that still exists, and it was turned into a Church, too. It still functions as a museum (I’ve seen it), but has been extensively restored many times over the years. It barely edges out the Pantheon in age, salthough the Pantheon has, I think, more of its original parts and is in its original use (arguably). > **[Maison carrée](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maison_Carr%C3%A9e)** > > The Maison carrée (French pronunciation: ​\[mɛzɔ̃ kaʁe\]; French for "square house") is an ancient Roman temple in Nîmes, southern France; it is one of the best preserved Roman temples to survive in the territory of the former Roman Empire. > The Maison carrée inspired the neoclassical Église de la Madeleine in Paris, St. Marcellinus Church in Rogalin, Poland, and in the United States the Virginia State Capitol, which was designed by Thomas Jefferson, who had a stucco model made of the Maison carrée... ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2012, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oldest-building-in-continious-use/610502/6 "2012-01-24T15:37:13Z")
The Sanchi Stupa dates from circa 300 BCE, but it’s not as if you could go into it or anything. It’s more like the Pyramids than my previous examples: > **[Sanchi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanchi)** > > .mw-parser-output .geo-default,.mw-parser-output .geo-dms,.mw-parser-output .geo-dec{display:inline}.mw-parser-output .geo-nondefault,.mw-parser-output .geo-multi-punct,.mw-parser-output .geo-inline-hidden{display:none}.mw-parser-output .longitude,.mw-parser-output .latitude{white-space:nowrap}23°28′45″N 77°44′23″E / 23.479223°N 77.739683°E / 23.479223; 77.739683 > Sanchi is a Buddhist complex, famous for its Great Stupa, on a hilltop at Sanchi Town in Raisen District of the State of Madhya P... ---
**Author:** ![Xema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9de053/32.png) [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2012, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oldest-building-in-continious-use/610502/7 "2012-01-24T17:07:23Z")
Possible the [Meadowcroft Rockshelter](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meadowcroft_Rockshelter) deserves consideration. Archeological evidence suggests more or less continuous use for 16,000 years. ---
**Author:** ![md2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/73ab20/32.png) [@md2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/md2000)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2012, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oldest-building-in-continious-use/610502/8 "2012-01-24T18:36:19Z")
[Theatre of Marcellus - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theatre_of_Marcellus). Julius Caesar started building it; it was first used for performances in 17BC, finished 12BC, used variously as a theatre, then fortress, then residences. When I was in Rome the tourist propaganda touted it as the oldest continuously-used, continuously-inhabited building in the world. ---
**Author:** ![An\_Gadai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2012, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oldest-building-in-continious-use/610502/9 "2012-01-24T18:41:02Z")
> [@clairobscur](#): > > I’ve no answer, but I had never heard of Newgrange. Interesting, thanks. It’s just up the road from me. Come on over, unless you’re claustrophobic. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2012, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oldest-building-in-continious-use/610502/10 "2012-01-24T23:04:31Z")
How about the theatre at Epidauros? Still in use after over 2500 years. Or do only buildings with roofs count? ---
**Author:** ![Spavined\_Gelding](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/958977/32.png) [@Spavined\_Gelding](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spavined_Gelding)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2012, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oldest-building-in-continious-use/610502/11 "2012-01-25T03:44:46Z")
> [@An\_Gadai](#): > > It’s just up the road from me. Come on over, unless you’re claustrophobic. There was an instant - just an instant - as I turned sidewise to work my middle aged belly down the passage that I thought “this is not a good idea.” The whole thing is very impressive. ---
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2012, 7:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oldest-building-in-continious-use/610502/12 "2012-01-25T07:48:47Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > It’s probably not the oldest, but as a benchmark the **Pantheon** in Rome has been in continuous use as a church or temple since it was built in about 126 CE. Aside from being closed for repairs, I don’t think it’s ever been out of use, and it still retains the bulk of its original appearance, despite additions. And it’s still in continuous use as a Catholic church. So that’s almost 1900 years of continuous use. Rome has several early churches that go back to the 300s; IIRC at least some of those are substantially the same building that they were when founded in 314 or so, shortly after the [Edict of Milan](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edict_of_Milan). In addition, I can think of at least one other and much older structure, the [Mamertine Prison](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mamertine_Prison) which was also converted to a Christian shrine because St. Peter was thought to have been imprisoned there. As a matter of fact, I can’t think of any other city in Europe, or possibly anywhere, in which you find so many buildings that have been used for a thousand years or more. ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2012, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oldest-building-in-continious-use/610502/13 "2012-01-28T05:38:34Z")
> [@An\_Gadai](#): > > It’s just up the road from me. Come on over, unless you’re claustrophobic. Please note, he is not kidding. I know I specified the Great Wall as being excluded, but it got me thinking, its not all fortifications is it? There have to be some large buildings (barracks, command posts, castles) along it. Maybe they could have still be in use until recently. Also,there are several Roman era forts in Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Syria which I know were in use centuries after. Wonder if any is still in use today. ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2012, 8:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oldest-building-in-continious-use/610502/14 "2012-01-28T08:48:57Z")
Not the question asked, but one of those “Holy Shit!” incidents nonethelesw – a few years ago I was involved in a discussion over on Christian Forums with a member of _the_ Greek Orthodox church in Thessalonika – not that there isn’t more than one, but this is the one founded by St. Paui, to whom he wrote the letters to the Thessalonians. Obviously it’s changed building structure and location a number of times in 19.5 centuries, but it’s maintained continuous existence as an institution of clergy and congregation through all that time. ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2012, 11:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oldest-building-in-continious-use/610502/15 "2012-02-05T11:50:20Z")
The Ziggarets? Their latest use seems to have been for US Soldiers to have pictures taken, but some are over 5000 years old. ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2012, 12:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oldest-building-in-continious-use/610502/16 "2012-02-05T12:10:04Z")
**AK48** , the structure in Athens is not the Pantheon but the Parthenon, which was sacked and fell into disrepair and disuse a long time ago before becoming an attraction at the time of the Grand Tour. I think the Pantheon in Rome has a very good chance of being the winner of this fascinating question. I’ll also put forward the cave dwellings in Cappadocia, Turkey, which on a cursory search seem to have been occupied for 3,500 years. However I can’t find a decent cite. Though they stand no chance of winning I’d also like to point out that there are at least [three pubs](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ye_Olde_Fighting_Cocks) in England that have been in continuous use for up to 800 years. ---
**Author:** ![teddybound](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8e7dd6/32.png) [@teddybound](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teddybound)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2012, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oldest-building-in-continious-use/610502/17 "2012-02-05T13:06:03Z")
My gut instinct tells me that there could be several temples in China that had been in continuous use for thousands of years. I managed to dig up the Confucious Temple in Qufu, supposedly built at his residence and informally set as a temple around 478 BC. Of course, through the years, it has been ransacked, destroyed, devastated, expanded, refurbished, renovated until its current state today. How much of the original remained I’m not sure! I would say during the Cultural Revolution, many of these old buildings were destroyed, so unfortunately, a lot of heritage was lost. > [@AK84](#): > > Excluding tombs like the Great Pyramids, which is the oldest building in the wordl which is in continious use till today? I had thought about [Newgrange](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newgrange) but apparently it was sealed for centuries. Google seems to suggest the Pantheon in Athens. > > I am willing to accept modifications to the structure including major (but not complete) rebuilds as well as changes to the use over time (a military fort, a royal residence, a castle, a prison, barracks etc). And it has to be a building, not just works or fortifications (a castle fine, the Great Wall, not so much). ---
**Author:** ![teddybound](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8e7dd6/32.png) [@teddybound](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teddybound)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2012, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oldest-building-in-continious-use/610502/18 "2012-02-05T13:27:29Z")
After I posted my reply, I reflected on the responses in this thread, and I observed that the oldest buildings are usually places of worship. Humans are quite a superstitious culture! Anyway, hence, is it reasonable to think that in order to look for the oldest building in the world, it could be ‘a race’ of looking at the oldest religion in the world (that is still practised today)? (OT: reminds me of Civilization 4) I would assume it would likely be a Jewish, Hindu, Taoist or Buddhist Temple. > [@teddybound](#): > > My gut instinct tells me that there could be several temples in China that had been in continuous use for thousands of years. > > I managed to dig up the Confucious Temple in Qufu, supposedly built at his residence and informally set as a temple around 478 BC. Of course, through the years, it has been ransacked, destroyed, devastated, expanded, refurbished, renovated until its current state today. How much of the original remained I’m not sure! > > I would say during the Cultural Revolution, many of these old buildings were destroyed, so unfortunately, a lot of heritage was lost. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2012, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oldest-building-in-continious-use/610502/19 "2012-02-05T14:00:46Z")
> [@Xema](#): > > Possible the [Meadowcroft Rockshelter](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meadowcroft_Rockshelter) deserves consideration. Archeological evidence suggests more or less continuous use for 16,000 years. This fails the ‘has to be a building’ test. ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2012, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oldest-building-in-continious-use/610502/20 "2012-02-05T14:02:12Z")
> [@jjimm](#): > > **AK48** , the structure in Athens is not the Pantheon but the Parthenon, which was sacked and fell into disrepair and disuse a long time ago before becoming an attraction at the time of the Grand Tour. > > I think the Pantheon in Rome has a very good chance of being the winner of this fascinating question. > > . Yes I know the difference having been to both, but it was a typo. I say the Parthenon, because although it was sacked, the I believe the Turks used it as a magazine (and a Venitian bombardment did most of the damage to it). Speaking of typos; its AK_84_ 😉 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oldest-building-in-continious-use/610502.md?page=2)