The world is full of wonders, and the seven most amusing ones have been named 7 wonders of the world. But, the constructions you have known as the seven wonders are no longer included in the list.
The New 7 Wonders of the World
Yes, there is a new 7 wonders of the world list now. The seven most incredible constructions of the world were recognized over 2,000 years ago. Most of those constructions are in ruins now, except the Pyramids of Giza. Therefore, there was an intense need to find seven new wonders.
Finally, in 2000, the Swiss foundation took the initiative to update the list compiled in the 2nd century BCE. Choosing from over 200 iconic buildings and landmarks, the foundation announced the final list in 2007. It took millions of votes over the internet, along with months of debating and shortlisting. Moreover, there were contenders, like Athens’s Acropolis, that couldn’t make the final cut.
What are the 7 Wonders of the World?
The man-made constructions which hold great historical significance are called the 7 wonders of the world. The seven buildings and landmarks are built incredibly and symbolize cultural heritage. Every wonder brags about its uniqueness.
Wonders of the World List
The Colosseum, Italy
The Colosseum in Rome is an oval amphitheater where the fight of gladiators for their life took place. It is the world’s largest amphitheater to date. The construction work of the Colosseum took eight years, from AD72 to AD80.
Apart from the gladiatorial games, 80,000 spectators could watch animal hunts and executions and classical plays here. Earthquakes and stone robbers offered partial damage to the amphitheater. Still, it’s an iconic monument of Roman history, attracting thousands of tourists every year.
Taj Mahal, India
The most stunning white marble mausoleum in the world is India’s, Taj Mahal. Located on the bank of river Yamuna in Agra, it’s a remarkable historical construction built by Mughal king Shah Jahan. He built the tomb to show his explicit love for his late wife, Mumtaz.
20,000 workers constructed the tomb, along with gardens, guest house, pool, and mosque, in 42 acres area for 22 years. The monument is a significant part of Mughal history, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of the world wonders. The epitome of love features stones in floral and geometric patterns.
Great Wall of China
A huge barrier spanning thousands of miles surrounding China’s northern border is the Great Wall of China. It took two millennia to build what is now called the Great Wall of China.
It was all about a series of small walls in the seventh century BCE,. The intention behind building these smaller walls was to protect themselves from nomadic raids. Qin Shi Huang, China’s first Emperor, unified those walls in 220 BCE into one single barrier. The wall would be further strengthened as an almighty barrier against the invaders. Today, the wall spans as long as 13,171 miles.
Great might just be an understatement, as the wall’s design and construction are spectacular.
Chichen Itza, Mexico
Chichen Itza is a Mayan city set deep in Yucatan, a state in Mexico. Itza, a pre-Columbian Mayan tribe, constructed the city. There are several monuments and temples in the city, including El Castillo or the Temple of Kukulcan. The step pyramid temple was in the name of the God Kukulkan.
There are 365 steps, each for a day of a solar year. The setting sun’s shadow on the pyramid creates an appearance like a feathered serpent in spring and autumn. The serpent seems to be slithering its surface down the north stairway towards the base, where there is a stone snake head. Evidently, it’s one of the 7 wonders of the world.
Petra, Jordan
Petra is an ancient city of South Jordan and is also known as the ‘rose city.’ The city with a golden hue dates back to 312 BC. Before an earthquake wiped out the city, set in a valley, it was a trade hub. There was a booming population along with enormous wealth. The Arab Nabataeans, famous for their stunning architecture, founded the city. Swiss explorer Johann Burckhardt uncovered Petra in 1812. After almost 2000 years, the city secured a place in the list of world wonders.
Machu Picchu, Peru
Discovered in 1911 in the Andes Mountains, this lost fifteenth-century treasure was an Incan site near Peru’s Cuzco. The founders uncovered the city almost intact, with temples, homes, plazas, and agricultural terraces. The rare citadel is one of the few pre-Columbian ruins that were found almost intact. This is why it’s one of 7 wonders of the world.
What was Machu Picchu? A royal retreat? A pilgrimage site? Or a confidential Incan stronghold during the rebellion in the sixteenth century against Spanish rule? There are many insights, thoughts, and debates over the actual historical significance of the city.
Christ the Redeemer, Brazil
Located on the top of Mount Corcovado, Christ the Redeemer, the totemic statue, is thirty meters tall. It’s a great artwork making it an iconic emblem of Rio de Janeiro and the entire of Brazil. Paul Landowski, a Polish-French Sculptor, designed the largest Art Deco sculpture in the world. Later, the engineers Heitor da Silva Costa from Brazil and Albert Caquot from France completed it. The statue is made from reinforced concrete and covered in almost six million tiles.
The Old Wonders of the World
You should also know about the old wonders of the world list.
- The Great Pyramid of Giza
- Hanging Gardens of Babylon
- Temple of Artemis
- The Lighthouse of Alexandria
- Mausoleum at Halicarnassus
- Statue of Zeus at Olympia
- Colossus of Rhodes
All these historical works were exceptionally wonderful and of great value for understanding civilizations and cultures. Unfortunately, all of them are in vulnerable conditions due to their ancientness.
Wrapping Up
As the 7 wonders of the world are breathtakingly beautiful and historically rich, you should visit them at least once. And if you want more updates on them and other happenings of the world, stay tuned with us!
