10 of the World's Oldest Temples

Exploring one of the planet's oldest temples feels like a journey back in time: For over 10,000 years, humans have erected sacred spaces. Fortunately for history enthusiasts, many of these ancient edifices still stand today. Most of these venerable temples are located in and around the Middle East, a region celebrated as the birthplace of early societies and civilizations due to its fertile lands. Here, we explore 10 of the world's most ancient temples.

1. Göbekli Tepe // Turkey (10,000–9000 BCE)

Perched on a hill in southeastern Turkey, near the Syrian border in what was once Ancient Mesopotamia, Göbekli Tepe is recognized as the oldest known site of worship, belief, and pilgrimage. This UNESCO World Heritage Site features several stone circles adorned with remarkable carvings of animals and religious figures. Excavations led by German archaeologist Klaus Schmidt began in the mid-1990s. The site is so vast that Schmidt estimated in a 2008 interview that it would take at least another 50 years to fully uncover its secrets.

2. Ħagar Qim & Mnajdra // Malta (3700–3200 BCE)

Before the discovery of Göbekli Tepe, this Megalithic complex was believed to house the world's oldest temples: Two prehistoric stone temples—Hagar Qim and Mnajdra—situated just 1640 feet (500 meters) apart on a cliff with stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea. The massive stone slabs that form their doorways, alcoves, and apses are remarkably well-preserved. Both temples honor the sun and seasonal changes, with sunlight streaming into Hagar Qim during the equinoxes through a carefully crafted elliptical opening in the stone.

3. Ġgantija // Gozo (3600–3200 BCE)

Ġgantija, another Megalithic temple in the Maltese islands, lives up to its name (Ggant meaning “giant” in Maltese) with its colossal structure: Some stones weigh up to 55 tons (50 tonnes) and tower over 16 feet (5 meters). Local legends speak of giants inhabiting the area, but archaeologists suggest it was a site for ritual animal sacrifices, evidenced by the abundance of animal bones unearthed during excavations. Remarkable limestone and clay figurines discovered here are now displayed in the nearby Interpretation Center.

4. Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum // Malta (3300–3000 BCE)

This awe-inspiring cavernous Neolithic temple is not suited for those with claustrophobia or a weak disposition. Descend through narrow passages via massive limestone steps to explore one of the world’s most impressive underground ruins. The site features a necropolis believed to contain the remains of approximately 7000 individuals, alongside a ceremonial worship area. Discovered accidentally by builders in 1902, they initially attempted to conceal the find to continue their work. Like other Maltese Megalithic sites, Hypogeum honors seasonal changes, with its inner chamber, “The Holy of Holies,” designed to illuminate during the winter solstice.

5. Stonehenge // UK (3000—2000 BCE)

The world’s most iconic stone circle has been interpreted in countless ways over the centuries. It has been regarded as a coronation site, a healing sanctuary, a place to venerate ancestors, and even a Druid temple. Today, archaeologists believe it served as a ceremonial temple aligned with celestial bodies. This 5000-year-old marvel continues to captivate visitors. While most must view it from afar, pagan visitors are granted closer access during the summer and winter solstices.

6. Ziggurat of Ur // Iraq (2100 BCE)

Constructed over 4000 years ago by the Ancient Mesopotamian king Ur Nammu, the Ziggurat of Ur (also called the Great Ziggurat) stands as a monumental pyramid-like structure. It is believed to have been part of a larger religious complex in what is now Iraq's Dhi Qar Province. Herodotus, the Ancient Greek historian and geographer, documented during his travels that the temple once featured a shrine dedicated to the gods at its summit. The Ziggurat has undergone significant restorations, first by Neo-Babylonian King Nabonidus in 600 BCE and much later by Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein in the 1980s.

7. Temple of Amada // Egypt (1550–1290 BCE)

Though modest in appearance from the exterior, this small structure holds immense historical significance as Egypt’s oldest surviving temple. The hieroglyphics inside narrate a vital tale. Constructed by Pharaoh Thutmose III of the 18th Dynasty, the temple honors Amun (the patron deity of Thebes) and Ra-Horakhty (a fusion of the gods Ra and Horus). The innermost sanctuary features painted reliefs depicting Thutmose III and his son Amenhotep II in the embrace of the gods. Remarkably, the temple underwent a massive relocation between 1964 and 1975, when French Egyptologists and architects moved it 1.5 miles (2.5 kilometers) from its original site to protect it from Lake Nasser’s flooding. They achieved this feat using hydraulic power and a system of railings.

8. Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut // Egypt (1470 BCE)

Hatshepsut’s mortuary temple, built alongside her tomb, stands as a testament to the legacy of the great female Pharaoh. Thutmose III, her son and successor, oversaw its construction. Polish archaeologists conducted extensive excavations in the 1960s, uncovering stunning reliefs with remarkably preserved original colors. The temple’s broad colonnades are often likened to Egyptian architecture at its closest to the Classical Greco-Roman style. Like other temples, it pays homage to the sun, with light illuminating a statue of Osiris during the winter solstice.

9. Luxor Temple // Egypt (1400 BCE)

This riverside marvel is one of Thebes’ two great cult temples, dedicated not to a specific Pharaoh or deity but to the concept of kingship. Numerous Pharaohs left their mark here, including Amenhotep III, Alexander the Great, Ramesses II, and Tutankhamen, each adding chapels to the complex. The site blends ancient and more recent structures, with a modern mosque still in use atop the ruins. Visitors approach through a corridor of sphinx statues and are greeted by towering statues of Pharaohs at the entrance. Luxor Temple, illuminated under the night sky, offers a breathtaking experience for nighttime visitors.

10. Temple of Seti I // Egypt (1300 BCE)

Seti I, one of Egypt’s most renowned Pharaohs, was celebrated for reviving his kingdom’s former grandeur. He secured military victories, fortified borders, restored temples and wells, and, notably, built a memorial temple for himself. Seti dedicated his temple to Osiris, the god of the afterlife, to ensure a seamless journey to the next world. Located near the Nile River in a town that once served as the religious hub of Osiris worship, the temple boasts vibrant reliefs that remain stunning after more than 3000 years. The site also includes an enigmatic underground structure known as the Osirion, whose purpose and construction date continue to puzzle archaeologists.