10 oldest buildings around the world that still serve people (11 photos)

There are many ancient buildings in the world that continue to serve people to this day. And they retain their original purpose to this day. In this post, you will see some of the oldest buildings in the world that people continue to use for many centuries.





1. The Oldest Hotel in Japan



Japan is home to the oldest hotel in the world that is still in operation. Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan Hotel & Spa opened in Hayakawa in 705 AD. It has been in the same family for over 1,300 years and has been run by 52 generations. The building was last rebuilt in 1997 and now has 37 rooms.

2. Tea Rooms, UK





This building, built in 1502, is home to The Bridge Tea Rooms. It has been voted the UK's best tea four times by the UK Tea Council.

3. St. Peter's Cathedral in Trier, Germany



The cathedral in the German city of Trier was founded in the 320s by order of Emperor Constantine. After its construction, the building was destroyed several times due to various military conflicts and rebuilt anew. The cathedral contains many Christian relics, and religious ceremonies are currently held in its premises daily. In 1986, this cathedral, one of the oldest in the world, was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

4. The Oldest Bank, Italy



Monte dei Paschi di Siena is considered the oldest bank in the world that is still in operation. It was founded in 1472 by the city-state of Siena, Italy. As of the end of 2014, it had about 2,200 branches, 40 of which were opened abroad. The bank's headquarters are always located in Palazzo Salimbeni. The building, built in the Gothic style, looks really impressive.

5. Kirkjubær, the oldest wooden dwelling, Faroe Islands



In the Faroe Islands, on the southern part of the island of Streymoy, there is a village called Kirkjubær, which has a population of about 75 people. The settlement is home to the Royal Farm, which was probably built in the 11th century. This building is considered one of the oldest wooden dwellings in the world. It used to be the residence of a bishop, and since 1550 all property of the Catholic Church in the Faroe Islands was confiscated in favor of the King of Denmark. Since then, the “mansion” has received its classic name. The farm has been run by the Patursson family for almost 500 years.

6. 13th Century Residential Building, France



The French city of Aveyron is home to one of the oldest residential buildings made of stone in the world. It was built in the late 13th century and is still inhabited today. The building was designed in such an unusual way because at that time all residential buildings in France were taxed based on the square footage of the ground floors only.

7. The Oldest Barber Shop in Europe, UK



London is home to the oldest barber shop in Europe that is still in operation today. It was founded in 1805 by William Truffitt, the best barber at the English court at the time. His clients included Byron, Wilde, Churchill and Hitchcock. This establishment is still frequented by members of the royal family, parliament, the financial elite and monarchs of European countries.

8. Windmill, Netherlands



In the town of Ede, Netherlands, a windmill was built around 1630, which is now considered the oldest structure of its kind. The mill is run by volunteers and is still used to process grain into excellent flour.

9. Citizen's House, Vyborg



This residential building in the center of Vyborg is a monument of medieval architecture. The exact date of its construction is unknown, but it is assumed that it dates back to the sixteenth century. Initially, it was a private fortress, which later, according to some historians, housed the first printing house in Vyborg. The building has undergone many renovations, but all of them were of a secondary nature. Now it houses two apartments in which people live.

10. Town Hall Pharmacy, Estonia



In the center of Tallinn, there is a functioning pharmacy, which is considered one of the oldest in Europe. It has been located in this building since its opening in 1422 (according to other sources, in 1412). The first pharmacist was Johann Molner, and between 1582 and 1911, the pharmacy was owned by more than 10 generations of the Burchart dynasty. Today, the main part of the pharmacy is located on the ground floor, where modern medicines can be purchased.