11 of the Most Ancient Temples in the World
Looking for your next adventure? Discover these incredible ancient temples from across the globe and learn about their fascinating histories
Of the buildings that still remain today from the early years of civilization, many of the most spectacular are the ancient temples. Given the importance of religion in ancient civilizations, it's not surprising that these spiritual sites were built using the latest architectural innovations and are imposing in scale. Many of these sites are still shrouded in mystery about their past uses and creators, while others are well documented and have been studied for more than a century. Luckily for architecture and history buffs, some of the oldest temples around the globe can actually be toured by visitors today. Get your Indiana Jones hat and field boots ready—we’ve rounded up 10 awe-inspiring temples you’ll want to explore right now.
I’ve just spent five fantastic days exploring the stunning Angkor Wat temples together with my friends Allan and Nigel. We flew to Siem Reap, Cambodia, on Air Asia from Kuala Lumpur (about a two hour flight) and we stayed at a beautiful hotel, Bopha Angkor. The hotel is just a short walk from the heart of Siem Reap (map) and is surrounded by lush greenery and beautiful Khmer sculptures and other artworks. The room I had was very spacious and was decorated in traditional Khmer style. Loved it.
This magnificent and flamboyant temple was built in Angkor, which was the capital of the Khmer Empire during the time of King II. It was built by Suryavarman on an area of approximately 163 hectares as the largest religious monument in the world. Angkor Vat was a Hindu temple built in the name of Vishnu (the Protective God), a Hindu god, but was converted into a Buddhist temple in the 13th century. The reason is thought to be the wars of Buddhism and Hinduism in the current period. Angkor Wat is considered one of the most important examples of the finely carved architecture of the Khmer empire, and is also identified with the country and depicted on its national flag. We can also say that Angkor Var is the only structure depicted on the national flag.
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