World's Oldest Temples (Top 10)

1. Stonehenge

Stonehenge is located in England and is believed to be Britain's greatest national icon, it is composed of earthworks surrounding a circular setting of large standing stones in south west England. It was built by a civilizationthat left no written records so many aspects of Stonehenge remain subject to debate; however some have speculated that it was a temple made for the worship of ancient earth deities.

2. Luxor Temple

Luxor Temple, or The Temple of Luxor, is among the most magnificent and beautiful Temples in Egypt. It was an important political and religious center since it was part of the ancient city of Thebes, the capital of Egypt. It is located on the east bank of the River Nile in the ancient city of Thebes and was founded in 1400 BC during the New Kingdom. The temple was dedicated to the three Egyptian gods Amun, Mut, and Chons.

3. Temple of Hatshepsut

The Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, who ruled Egypt from around 1479 BC until her death in 1458 BC, is situated in the bay of cliffs known as Deir el-Bahri on the west bank of the Nile near the Valley of the Kings in Egypt. It is considered one of the "incomparable monuments of ancient Egypt." This temple was built to commemorate the Queens achievements and to serve as a funerary Temple for her, as well as a sanctuary of the God, Amon Ra.

4. Hypogeum

The Hypogeum, or underground cavity, in Malta is the only prehistoric underground temple in the world a superb example of architecture. This unique monument is enshrined in the UNESCO World Heritage list. To ensure its conservation, the site's microclimate is strictly regulated. For this reason, the site is open to a maximum of 80 visitors each day.

5. Temple of Seti I

Temple of Seti I is located in Abydosis which is one of the most ancient cities of Upper Egypt. The first structure you'll see at Abydos is the striking Cenotaph or Great Temple of Seti I, which, after a certain amount of restoration work, is one of the most complete temples in Egypt. It is a mortuary temple of Pharaoh Seti I on the west bank of the Nile this ancient wonder was constructed towards the end of the reign of Seti in 1279 BC.

6. Hagar Qim and Mnajdra

The temple of Hagar Qim, was excavated for the first time in 1839, dates to c. 3600 - 3200 BC, it is located atop a cliff on the southern edge of the island of Malta. Just 500m away from Hagar Qim, further towards the cliff face, lies another remarkable temple site, Mnajdra, set in a hollow above the Southern cliffs. Many artifacts were recovered from within the temples suggesting that these old temples were used for religious purposes.

7. Ggantija Temples

The Ggantija Temples are the most popular heritage site in Malta, and a lot of work has gone into restoring their structural integrity. Ggantija Temples in Xaghra, Gozo, are one of the most important archaeological sites in the world and date from around 3600 to 3200 BC. This megalithic monument is in fact two temples, built side by side and enclosed within a boundary wall.

8. Temple of Amada

The oldest Egyptian religious structure, The Temple of Amada, in Nubia, was first constructed by pharaoh Thutmose III of the 18th dynasty. Alterations and decoration were carried out by later pharaohs. Although the temple is quite small and has crumbling exterior nevertheless contains some important historical inscriptions and its interior features some of the most finely cut reliefs with bright and vibrant colors.

9. Gobekli Tepe

Gobekli Tepe is located in southeastern Turkey, it is an artificially constructed "potbelly hill" that rises 1,000 feet above the valley floor. It has long been referred as the world's oldest temple and human-made religious structure. The site was most likely erected by hunter-gatherers in the 10th millennium BC, Gobekli Tepe not only predates pottery, and the invention of writing or the wheel but it was also built before the beginning of agriculture and animal husbandry.

10. Palace of Knossos

Knossos, the famous Minoan Palace lies 5 kms southeast of Heraklion in Crete built gradually between 1700 and 1400 BC. According to Greek mythology, the palace was designed by famed architect Dedalos with such complexity that no one placed in it could ever find its exit. However, the main function of the palace is still an ongoing debate. It could have been probably used as an administrative center or a religious center. "Knossos on Crete never was a palace of the legendary King Minos, but rather a temple, designed for initiations and other ceremonies and rituals" argues Rodney Castleden, author of The Knossos Labyrinth: A New View of the 'Palace of Minos' at Knossos.