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10 ancient buildings that have resisted time

All around the world, we can find examples of the architectural wonders created by ancient civilizations, but many of these have reached our days as ruins. Many, but not all. Some have resisted the wear and tear of time so well —be it because they were maintained or due to their excellent construction— that they are not only standing, but they are functional and in use today. What are they being used for? Let’s find out!

The original Pantheon had been commissioned by General Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa during the reign of Augustus and built on the site of an older temple. Destroyed in a fire, the current building was built in the 2nd century under Emperor Hadrian’s orders and has been, since the 7th century, a Catholic temple dedicated to the Virgin Mary and the Martyrs.

What makes this building so impressive? The round building has the world's largest and oldest unreinforced concrete dome, excellently preserved. The dome, built in one piece and with a central opening as the only light source for the building, has served as a blueprint for many other buildings. Besides being regularly used as a church, it is also the resting place of two Italian monarchs.

Located at the foot of Mount Sinai, St. Catherine’s Monastery is the oldest continuously inhabited Christian monastery. It was built between 548 and 565 under the orders of the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I. The important relics enclosed in it—mainly, the remains of St. Catherine of Alexandria, and the burning bush seen by Moses—have made the place an important pilgrimage site for many believers.

Built around the already existing Chapel of the Burning Bush and the Well of Moses, the fortified complex includes a 6th-century basilica, a bell tower with a bell donated by a russian zar, a mosque, a library, a museum, and a sulfur spring. The basilica encloses the prior church, and it is one of the oldest surviving Christian buildings in the world.

Dating back to the 1st century AD, the Maison Carrée (meaning ‘square house’) was built as a temple for the imperial cult in the French city of Nîmes. It has been used as a temple, a church, a royal residence, a museum, a government building, and even as a stable. Nowadays, it is used as a museum.

The building presents similarities with other Roman temples of Tuscan style, but follows the Corinthian order. The portico and its columns are richly decorated with vines and leaves, and the entire building is situated on a high podium, giving it a towering presence over the area. The Maison Carrée has served as inspiration for many neoclassical buildings, the most famous being Virginia’s State Capitol, designed by Thomas Jefferson.

How old is this Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva and Shakti? Well, it depends on who you ask. Locals claim that it was built during the 1st century, but most of its elements date to the 6th century, so it might have been rebuilt or modernized.

No matter the date, the Mundeshwari Temple is one of the oldest continuously working Hindu temples in the world. It has an octagonal floor plan, not common in this kind of building, and its walls are intricately carved. Up to this day, it is still a major pilgrimage site for Hindus across the world.

A cathedral, a mosque, a museum, and a mosque once again. Built in 360 AD, destroyed in a fire, and rebuilt in 537 AD as the main Byzantine cathedral, Hagia Sophia (meaning ‘Holy Wisdom’) is a testament to old Constantinople, and it was intended to be the biggest church in the world.

After the Ottoman conquest, its conversion into a mosque involved the addition of minarets and other architectural elements. Many mosaics and paintings, forbidden in Islamic tradition, were covered with plaster, although they have been restored during the 20th century and given fabric coverings that protect them and hide them from view.

This stupa—a Buddhist building containing relics—is located in Sri Lanka, and it is said to contain body relics of the historic Buddha, making it a major pilgrimage site for Buddhists everywhere. Built in the 2nd century by King Dutugemunu after the unification of Sri Lanka, it is nearly as tall as the Great Pyramid of Giza.

The stupa has suffered numerous attacks during its history, and in the 19th century, it was completely covered by wilderness. Renovation efforts started in the early 20th century, and it is now a point of pride for Sri Lankans.

Founded in 607, this complex stands out from others on this list for one simple reason: it is made out of wood. One of the main Buddhist temples in Japan, it was completely burned down and was rebuilt in the year 670, and its main five-store pagoda is considered one of the oldest wooden buildings in the world. In 1949, another fire caused grave damage, but it was luckily contained.

Built around the time Buddhism was introduced in Japan, the complex showcases architectural influences from Korea and China, fused with unique Japanese elements. During World War II, big sections of the complex were dismantled and hidden, but the area was ultimately spared from attacks.

Dating to the late 1st Century AD, the tower of Hercules is the oldest Roman lighthouse still standing. Built under Emperor Trajan, it was originally called Farum Brigantium or Lighthouse of Brigantia after a nearby Roman settlement in Galicia, Spain. Its current name comes from a mix of Classical and Celtic myths, according to which Hercules fought and defeated a giant and built a tower over his buried head, the same tower from which ancient Celts discovered Ireland and sailed towards it.

The building has been in continuous use since its construction, not only as a lighthouse, but also as a fortress and a lookout point. As a testament to its cultural importance, the Tower of Hercules is depicted in the Galician coat of arms, alongside the head and bones of the defeated giant.

One of the oldest buildings in the U.S. territory, San Juan’s Casa Blanca was built as the residence of the first Spanish governor of Puerto Rico in 1521. Originally made out of wood, it was rebuilt in stone after a fire and was used as a fortress during conflicts.

Serving as the governor’s residence for more than two centuries—until La Fortaleza was built—it was then used for military purposes and later left in disuse in the 20th century. After renovations, it is nowadays a museum and a testament to the Puerto Rican colonial period.

When we think about Roman arenas, we are likely to remember the Colosseum. However, there are older arenas that are still in use and have better resisted the passage of time. The Arena of Verona is one example. Built around 30 AD with a capacity for 30,000 people, it was temporarily abandoned after the fall of the Empire, but was used again during medieval times.

The exterior part of the building was partially destroyed by an earthquake in the 12th century, and some sections were demolished to make way for new buildings, but laws to protect it were established during the Renaissance period. Nowadays, the arena serves as a venue for opera, concerts, and other musical performances.

Crazy careers

Tired of your boring job? Become an ale taster! 10 weirdest jobs ever

Image: Clem Onojeghuo

From medieval Europe to early industrial America, people have taken on some truly bizarre professions. Many of these jobs existed out of necessity, cultural tradition, or lack of technology. Others were born of superstition or unusual demands of society’s elite. From leech collectors to sin-eaters, here are 10 real jobs from history that may sound absurd today but were once legitimate ways to earn a living.

Image: David Trinks

Doctors in medieval Europe and well into the 19th century used leeches for bloodletting. To obtain the large numbers required, collectors waded into marshes and let the creatures attach themselves to their legs.

The demand was so high that wetlands across Europe were nearly stripped of leeches. Despite the grisly nature of the work, it was a stable source of income for poor laborers.

Image: Josh Olalde

In medieval England, ale tasters checked the quality and fairness of beer sold in taverns. They ensured proper strength, taste, and pricing for consumers.

While the role sounds more fun than work, it involved serious regulation. Some tasters also inspected bread, showing how essential beer was to medieval diets.

Image: Daniil Komov

While this job doesn’t sound so strange—we have modern equivalents of this after all—the comparison doesn’t fully capture how essential their work was to 19th-century cities plagued by poor sanitation and overcrowded streets.

In Paris and London, rat catchers became semi-celebrities of street life. Their work helped reduce disease risks, though they themselves faced high exposure to bites and plague.

Image: Boudewijn Huysmans

In Tudor England, "gong farmers" cleaned cesspits and privies. The word "gong" had nothing to do with the Asian percussion instrument; rather, it derived from an Old English term referring to a privy and its contents.

They worked at night to avoid public disgust, carrying waste in buckets outside city walls. The job was dangerous due to toxic fumes, but surprisingly lucrative. Workers often earned more than many skilled tradespeople, though at the cost of extreme social shunning.

Image: Jessica Kantak Bailey

In Tudor and Stuart England, princes weren’t punished directly. Instead, their "whipping boy" was flogged whenever they misbehaved—a form of indirect punishment meant to instill guilt in the young prince.

The practice only worked with boys close to the prince, ensuring emotional impact. One of the most cruel practices of the era, whipping boys often gained favor and lifelong connections at court.

Image: Griffin Quinn

A colorful euphemism for "grave robber," this profession flourished in the 18th and 19th centuries, as demand for cadavers by medical schools reached an all-time high while legal supply remained scarce.

Despite being illegal and widely despised, it was a lucrative career. The trade also created related jobs, as concerned families hired cemetery watchmen and private grave guards. In some infamous cases, "resurrectionists" even escalated to murder to meet demand.

Image: Stephen Radford

In gunpowder factories, specialized workers tested batches by igniting small amounts to check burn quality. How each batch responded to ignition determined the safety and effectiveness of the product.

The work was inherently perilous—accidents were frequent, and uncontrolled explosions could have devastating consequences for both workers and factories. Yet, gunpowder was so essential to empires that testing remained a permanent job.

Image: Gold's Gym Nepal

Did you know treadmills were originally designed for prisoners? Keep that in mind on your next visit to the gym. In 19th-century Britain, prisoners powered massive treadmills that ground grain or pumped water.

The devices also served as punishment through hard, monotonous labor. The so-called "everlasting staircase" could last for hours, leaving inmates utterly exhausted. Perhaps this also explains how prisoners could later easily outrun guards—talk about a double-edged sword.

Image: Amy-Leigh Barnard

Food tasters were employed at royal and imperial courts to sample dishes before rulers ate, ensuring safety from any poisoning attempts. The role existed in ancient Rome, medieval Europe, and even into modern times.

While certainly not the worst job a commoner could hold among royalty (whipping boys and grooms-of-the-stool arguably had it worse), and though some tasters lived comfortably at court, their job was literally a matter of life and death.

Image: engin akyurt

In 17th- and 18th-century Britain, some families hired "sin-eaters" to consume bread and beer placed on a corpse. The ritual symbolized absorbing the deceased’s sins.

Despite their spiritual services, sin-eaters were social outcasts. Typically paid in food or a few coins, they carried a heavy stigma, as they were believed to take on the spiritual burden of the dead they served.