Old houses and buildings are important for preserving history and architecture. They offer a rare opportunity for the general public and modern historians to glimpse the past and imagine the daily lives of bygone generations. This has inspired many individuals, organizations, and governments to uncover such enduring cultural and architectural evidence and preserve it for future generations. Here is our list of 13 of the most incredible old houses from around the world that have survived to this day.
1. Fairbanks House
The Fairbanks House is the oldest surviving wooden structure in North America. The house, now a museum, also retains traces of folk magic.
This half-timbered house was built in several phases, with the oldest section completed around 1641. Jonathan Fairbanks built this farmhouse for his wife and six children in Dedham, Massachusetts. The Fairbanks family lived in the house for eight generations, with some family members practicing folk magic. This is evidenced by the carved charms on the mantelpiece and shoes placed behind the chimney and in the attic to ward off witches and evil spirits.
In 1895, Rebecca Fairbanks sold the house to local realtor John Crowley, but continued to live there until 1904. In 1905, the farmhouse was converted into a museum by the non-profit organization Fairbanks Family in America. (source)
2. Monastery of St. George
The Monastery of St. George, built in 500 BC, is still in use and home to Greek monks. The monastery's chapel contains the remains of monks killed by the Persian invaders.
Named after the famous monk Gorgias of Coziba, who lived here in the 5th century, the monastery was built around the caves at the end of the 5th century. Currently located in Wadi Qelt in Jerusalem, the caves were first inhabited in the 4th century by monks who believed the site had been visited by Elijah. According to religious tradition, this is the very spot where the Virgin Mary's father received the news of her conception.
In 614 BC, the Persians invaded the valley, destroyed the monastery, and killed all 14 monks living there. Their skulls and bones are now in the chapel. For the next 500 years, the monastery lay abandoned and deserted. In the 12th century, the Crusaders partially restored it, but after their expulsion, it was abandoned again.
The monastery was finally restored by the Greek monk Kalinikos in 1901 and continues to attract pilgrims and monks to this day. (1, 2)
3. Kirkjubøargarður
This 11th-century farmhouse is one of the oldest surviving habitable wooden houses in the world. Legend has it that the timber for its construction was shipped from Norway.
Located in the autonomous region of the Faroe Islands, the Kirkjubøur farmhouse was once used as a seminary and the seat of the Faroese diocese. In 1550, it was occupied by the Patursson family, and although it is currently owned by the Faroese government and used as a museum, it is still inhabited by the 17th generation of the Patursson family.
Since the island is forestless, it is said that the timber needed for its construction was washed ashore from Norway, all bundled and precisely numbered.
Today visitors can stay in Roykstavane or in the farmhouse's rik-salon, where authentic Faroese cuisine is served. (source)
4. Saltford Manor
Saltford Manor is the oldest continuously inhabited Norman house in England and was once sold for £1,275,000.
The exquisite stained glass windows of this stone house date back to 1148, placing its construction around that year. The building, now a Grade II listed building, was constructed on land that belonged to Bishop Geoffrey de Montbray.
This house, the winner of the 2003 "Oldest continuously inhabited house in Britain" competition, was organised by the magazine Country Life , has preserved a fragment of a rare medieval painting, a Tudor fireplace and a 17th-century kitchen.
The private home has been continuously occupied and was valued and sold for £1,275,000 in 2010. (source)