10 oldest churches in the world
List and description of 10 oldest churches in the world as well as other church buildings that, according to legends, are exceptionally old.
St. Peter’s Church in Capernaum (“House of Saint Peter”)
The house of the mother-in-law of the Apostle Peter, built in the early 1st century AD and served as a house church since around 50 AD. Most likely, the oldest church in the world. Now a modern church is built over it.
Church of the Holy Sepulchre
The most important Christian shrine in the place, where, reportedly, Jesus was crucified and buried. Built in 333 AD, the current building was constructed in 1048 AD.
Stavrovouni Monastery
One of the oldest Christian monasteries in the world. According to a legend, it was founded in 327-329 AD by Saint Helena who brought a piece of the Holy Cross there.
Yabroud St. Constantine and Helen cathedral (Yabroud Cathedral)
An ancient (326 AD ?) church that was built over the Ancient Roman temple, using part of its structure.
Panagia Ekatontapyliani
Panagia Ekatontapyliani is a magnificent complex of a fortified church, baptistery, and chapels that are surrounded by a fortification wall. According to tradition, this might be the oldest existing church in Greece, initially constructed in 326 AD.
Church of the Nativity with the Nativity Grotto
Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem might be the oldest continuously operating church in the world. It was first built around 326-330 AD or a bit later over the presumed birthplace of Jesus.
Assumption Cathedral in Kharkiv
The former main church of Kharkiv. The current church was constructed in the Baroque style from 1771 to 1783. The 89.5 m tall bell tower was built in Neoclassicism style in 1821-1841.
Centre of Florence
The birthplace of modern Europe in the 13th – 14th century, when the Renaissance started there. The highest concentration of art in the world.
Qirqbize church
One of the oldest church buildings in the world, a ruin of a possible early 4th-century church in the abandoned Byzantine village of Qirqbize.