What Are the New Seven Wonders of the World?
We might have all heard of the ancient ‘seven wonders of the world’, but which incredible artefacts make up the most recent list?
The first ‘seven wonders of the ancient world’ list was made more than 2000 years ago, by adventurous Hellenic travelers who marveled at the world’s most incredible man-made constructions. Since then, most of the original list have been destroyed, aside from the Great Pyramid of Giza. What Happened to the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World? In 2001, Swiss-born, Canadian filmmaker Bernard Weber set up the New7Wonders Foundation to find a new seven wonders of the world for the modern era, asking members of the public to cast their votes. After months of deliberating, debating and shortlists, these are the impressive feats that made the final cut.
The New Seven Wonders of the World:
- The Colosseum, Rome, Italy - The Colosseum is the great oval amphitheater in the center of Rome where gladiators once fought for their life. The largest amphitheater ever built, it was constructed from sand and stone over eight years, from AD72 to AD80. The colossal structure could hold 80,000 spectators, arranged in a circular ring around the central stage. Dramatic and sometimes horrifying events took place here, not just gladiatorial games, but also Classical plays, animal hunts and executions. Some say water was even pumped into the arena to enact mock sea battles. Partially damaged by earthquakes and stone robbers over the centuries, the Colosseum is still an iconic memento of Roman history, visited by thousands of tourists every year, so it stands to reason it would make the list of today’s seven wonders of the world.
- The Great Wall of China - The Great Wall of China is a huge barrier that spans thousands of miles along China’s historic northern border. Created over millennia, the wall began its life as a series of smaller walls dating back to the 7th century BCE, built as protective barriers against nomadic raids. In 220 BCE, China’s first Emperor Qin Shi Huang masterminded the unification of all China’s walls into one almighty barrier, strengthening and extending the wall to keep out northern invaders. Today the wall is recognized as one of the seven wonders, which, including all its branches, measures a whopping 13,171 miles.
- The Taj Mahal, India - India’s renowned Taj Mahal (Persian for Crown of Palaces) is the stunning white marble mausoleum on the bank of the Yamuna River in the city of Agra, and it has been selected as one of the seven wonders of the world. Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan built the temple as a tomb for his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, who died during childbirth in 1631. A marble tomb in the center is surrounded by 42 acres of grounds, where gardens, a mosque, guest house and pool complete the complex. The entire project took over 22 years to complete by 20,000 workers at a cost of 32 million rupees (around US$827 million by today’s standards). But the hard work paid off – today the Taj Mahal is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a vital component of India’s rich Mughal history.
- Christ the Redeemer, Brazil - The totemic statue of Christ the Redeemer stands over Rio de Janeiro on the top of Mount Corcovado. At 30 meters tall, this monument is an iconic emblem of Brazil. This huge public artwork was designed by the Polish-French sculptor Paul Landowski in the 1920s and completed by Brazilian engineer Heitor da Silva Costa, and French engineer Albert Caquot in 1931. Made from reinforced concrete clad in over 6 million soapstone tiles, Christ the Redeemer is the largest Art Deco sculpture in the world. Built just after the end of the First World War, the sculpture was an overpowering symbol of Christianity and hope when the world had been brought to its knees, so its no surprise that this monument made the list for today’s seven wonders.
- Machu Picchu, Peru - Machu Picchu is a lost treasure of the 15th century, a rare citadel discovered high in the Andes mountains above the Peruvian Sacred Valley. Astonishingly, it is one of the only pre-Columbian ruins found nearly intact, featuring evidence of former plazas, temples, agricultural terraces and homes. Archaeologists believe the citadel was built as an estate for the Inca emperor Pachacuti in around 1450 in polished drystone walls. The Incas abandoned the site a century later and it remained hidden for millennia, before being brought to public attention by American historian Hiram Bingham in 1911. Because of this remarkable preservation, it is recognized today as one of the seven wonders.
- Chichén Itzá, Mexico - Deep in the Mexican state of Yucatán lies Chichen Itza, a historic Mayan city built between the 9th and 12th centuries. Constructed by the pre-Columbian Mayan tribe Itzá, the city includes a series of monuments and temples. The most celebrated is El Castillo, also known as the Temple of Kukulcan. It is a huge step pyramid in the center of the city which was built as a devotional temple to the god Kukulkan. In total, the entire temple features 365 steps, one for each day of the year. Even more impressively, during the spring and summer equinoxes, afternoon sun casts triangular shadows down the pyramid’s north stairway that resemble a feathered serpent slithering down its surface, heading towards a stone snake head at the base – no wonder it is one of the seven wonders today!
- Petra, Jordan - Petra, the ancient city in southern Jordan, is also known as the ‘rose city’ for its golden hue. It dates as far back as 312 BC. Set in a remote valley, this ancient city was founded by the Arab Nabataeans, a sophisticated civilization that carved stunning architecture and complex waterways out of surrounding rock faces. The Nabateans also established Petra as a successful trade hub, earning vast wealth and a booming population before being wiped out by earthquakes. Unknown to the Western world for centuries, the city was uncovered in 1812 by Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt. 19th-century poet and scholar John William Burgon described Petra as “a rose-red city half as old as time.”
New 7 Wonders of the World
From left to right, top to bottom: Chichen Itza, Christ the Redeemer, the Great Wall of China, Machu Picchu, Petra, the Taj Mahal, and the Colosseum
The New 7 Wonders of the World was a campaign started in 2001 to choose Wonders of the World from a selection of 200 existing monuments. The popularity poll via free Web-based voting and small amounts of telephone voting was led by Canadian-Swiss Bernard Weber and organized by the New 7 Wonders Foundation (N7W) based in Zurich, Switzerland, with winners announced on 7 July 2007 in Lisbon, at Estádio da Luz. The poll was considered unscientific partly because it was possible for people to cast multiple votes.[6] According to John Zogby, founder and current President/CEO of the Utica, New York–based polling organization Zogby International, New 7 Wonders Foundation drove "the largest poll on record".[4]
The program drew a wide range of official reactions. Some countries touted their finalist and tried to get more votes cast for it, while others downplayed or criticized the contest. After supporting the New 7 Wonders Foundation at the beginning of the campaign by providing advice on nominee selection, the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), bound by its bylaws to record and give equal status to all World Heritage Sites, distanced itself from the undertaking in 2001 and again in 2007. The 7 winners were chosen from 21 candidates, which had been whittled down from 77 choices by a panel in 2006.
What Are The 7 Wonders Of The World?
- The Great Wall Of China - China, Built In 700 BCE - A creation that serves as one of the largest archives of historical documents and a morgue, the Great Wall of China has gone far beyond its original purpose as just a defensive measure. Let's unpack that: because it was in construction for nearly 2,000 years by separate dynasties, inscriptions, and corpses are carved and buried onto and into this megalithic icon. Furthermore, tourist hype forced Chinese authorities to implement a daily limit of 65,000 visitors in places like the Badaling section of the Great Wall. It is hard to estimate the total annual visitors due to it being 5,500 miles (8,851 km) long, but around 150 million inbound tourists visit Beijing each year, and travel bloggers frequently claim that almost all tourists visiting Beijing are planning to check out the wall. In ancient times, foreign visitors were the antithesis of the wall's purpose because it was designed to prevent invasions by northern tribes, although it occasionally failed, like when Ghengis Khan overran it in 1214 CE with his nomadic army. Sadly, many stretches of the wall have vanished because of erosion and human disturbance. It also has a history as a form of border control for the Silk Road era, and it expedited the transmission of information from one region to another. Also, emperors would frequently expand or reinforce it as a demonstration of their dynasty's power and wealth. Despite popular belief, the wall is not visible from space, but it is visible in person; this is all the more reason to book a flight and check it out.
- Petra - Jordan, Built In 312 BCE - "This is impossible" is a common thought for those who stand beneath the carved red-rock mountains in Petra. Yet, there it is. This ancient trading hub is larger than any painting or picture can capture, which is a reality that its one million annual visitors can understand. The buildings, sculpted straight out of the canyon walls, would have been endangered by sudden flash floods, but the Nabateans (a wealthy arab kingdom) designed a complex water control system to manage this. Due to the desert climate, they even installed an intricate series of dams, canals, and reservoirs into the rock faces to maintain a consistent water supply for 20,000 inhabitants. Those grooves still exist in the rock walls today, collecting moisture the same way as they did two thousand years ago. Additionally, a legend once existed regarding a carved urn in the Treasury facade: Bedouin sharpshooters left bullet holes across it hundreds of years ago, believing that it held priceless riches within. The original occupants were also religious, and several of the carved buildings, like the Monastery and High Place of Sacrifice, were designed for ritual. More recently, the abandoned city has been the site of films like Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. If you stumble across the complex today, a group of resilient people still reside in the carved homes, peddling crafts and offering rides on camels and horses.
- The Colosseum - Italy, Built In 80 CE - Emperors are addicted to cementing their legacy by constructing incredible wonders, and the relationship between Emperor Vespasian and the Colosseum he commissioned is no different. The project was so grand that it was his son Titus' responsibility to complete it, and Emperor Domitian earned a little credit by making substantial modifications. Roman concrete, limestone, and volcanic rock were essential ingredients to this 50,000-spectator arena, and earthquakes and stone thieves tried and failed to tear it down. It was not a site for friendly bouts of football and musical concerts — gladiators fought for a bloody victory, battles were reenacted, and terrifying, exotic animals were put on display. The effort had a singular purpose beyond mere spectacle: to provide the crowds with entertainment as a means of preventing unrest, which can lead to riots and regime change. However, after Rome collapsed, the space was converted into housing, workshops, and even religious spaces during the medieval eras. Today, over six million people visit it each year, and it continues to host exciting exhibitions and shows.
- Chichén Itzá, Mexico, Built In 600 CE - This site is a golden example to prove that Egyptians were not the only ones capable of constructing enormous pyramids. The largest structure, El Castillo, is 98 feet and utilizes 365 stone steps to represent the solar year. The Maya people went beyond just sheer scale: during the equinoxes, a mystical shadow appears due to ingenious engineering, and a serpent's shadow appears to slither down the staircase. Naturally, this attention to detail means that the whole area was a religious, political, and economic center for the Mayan civilization that seems to have vanished overnight, abandoning all settlements by 900 CE. Stone tools were enough to create this 5 km2 complex, which is one of the reasons it fits as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Astronomy and acoustics were common sciences in this city, which is fitted with an ancient observatory, and whispers at one end of the Ball Court can be heard 135 meters away at the other end. Human sacrifices were performed here, but thankfully, its 3 million yearly visitors will not have to witness those extinct practices.
- Machu Picchu, Peru, Built In 1450 CE - Can you imagine the astonishment of those who discovered this metropolis, seemingly floating on clouds between mountains? The Machu Picchu, perched high in the Andes Mountains of Peru, is a stone's throw from Cuzco. Although it was well known to the local people, the West took note of it in 1911 when it was spotted by the American explorer Hiram Bingham. It was initially believed to be Vilcabamba, a hidden Incan haven during the Spanish resistance. The genuine intent behind this 15th-century structure, however, remains debated, with suggestions that it served as a sanctuary for the revered 'Virgins of the Sun,' a place of worship, or perhaps a regal escape. Notwithstanding its remote and towering position, travelers can step back in time amidst meticulously preserved Incan edifices showcasing farming terraces, open squares, living quarters, and skillfully designed shrines. Erected around 1450 as an imperial commission under Inca ruler Pachacuti, the site mesmerizes onlookers with its smooth, dry-stone construction and breathtaking vistas of the encompassing valley.
- The Taj Mahal - India, Built In 1643 CE - The Taj Mahal welcomes an astonishing 35 to 40 thousand visitors every day — and with busy seasons, it is no stranger to up to 8 million visitors annually. The origin of this marbled expression of love lies in the celebrated reign of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan 400 years ago. This leader had a desire to build a monument to the object of his affection and favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Ultimately, it exists as a tomb for her, but she is certainly one of the few people who will not be forgotten as time goes by. It took 20 thousand artisans to create this place, with precious jewels and marble that are said to gleam pink and white depending on the time of day. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site (since 1983), the architecture is a celebration of the Mughal style. One fascinating choice the designers made was to slightly tilt the four minarets (towers) away from the main structure so that in the case of disaster, they would not collapse towards the tomb and cause more damage. Bear in mind, if you take the pilgrimage there, that the complex also hosts a brilliant mosque and a guest house that are worthy of appreciation, too.
- Christ The Redeemer, Brazil, Built In 1931 CE - The Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro is an awe-inspiring symbol of both faith and architectural brilliance. Overlooking the city from atop Mount Corcovado, this religious icon is visited by almost 2 million people per year. Initiated in the period following World War I, its creation from 1926 to 1931 was a collective endeavor involving Heitor da Silva Costa, Carlos Oswald, and Paul Landowski. With a striking height of 98 feet and its arms reaching 92 feet wide, it's a marvel to behold. The base further elevates its grandeur by 26 feet. Made of reinforced concrete and embellished with over six million tiles, this statue is recognized as the world's most prominent Art Deco figure. Despite weather challenges, like lightning strikes, it remains steadfast, only once suffering damage to Jesus's right thumb in 2014. From almost any location in Rio, its silhouette can be discerned, providing incredible views and drawing both believers and admirers. Its significance and beauty rightfully earn it a place among the world's most revered landmarks.
The Original Seven Wonders of the World
Colossus of Rhodes, Hanging Gardens of Babylon, Lighthouse of Alexandria, Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, Statue of Zeus at Olympia, Temple of Artemis, Great Pyramid of Giza, (the most ancient as well as the only surviving structure)
While new lists have been made over time of the Seven Wonders of the World, the original list dates back to the 2nd century BCE. Back in antiquity, most of the world was not yet known to those who created this first list of wonders, so only a certain region of the world was covered. In 2000, a new official list of the Seven Wonders of the World was created to incorporate man-made structures all across Earth.
the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World:
- Great Pyramid of Giza - The Great Pyramid was built near Cairo, Egypt around 5,000 years ago. Of the original seven wonders on this list, the Great Pyramid is the only one that is still standing to this day. For the first 3,800 years of its existence, the Great Pyramid was the largest man-made structure on Earth. The purpose of its construction was to serve as a tomb for an Egyptian pharaoh name Khufu. The Great Pyramid originally stood at 481 feet (146.6 m) tall. However, today it stands at 454.4 feet (138.5 m) tall. This is mostly due to the removal of the top limestone layer over time.
- Colossus of Rhodes - In 280 BCE, a gigantic statue of the Greek sun god Helios was erected in Rhodes, Greece. The statue served as a gateway into the city’s port. Prior to the statue’s construction, Rhodes had been under constant siege by foreign invaders for an entire year. Eventually, the Greeks won and forced the invaders out of their land. Following this victory, the Greeks built the Colossus of Rhodes as a celebration. The statue stood 108 feet (32.9 m) tall, which is about the same as the modern-day Statue of Liberty without its base. It was the tallest statue in the Ancient World. 54 years after it was built, the gigantic statue was destroyed by a massive earthquake, leaving it only a memory in history.
- Hanging Gardens of Babylon - Although there are only mentions of it in history, the Hanging Gardens were said to have been created in the ancient city of Babylon (located in modern-day Iraq) between 605 – 562 BCE. It was designed by the Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar II for his wife, Queen Amytis. Amytis had moved to the desert city of Babylon for her husband, though she missed the green hillsides from her homeland. Therefore, the King found it to be a good idea to create the Hanging Gardens for the Queen as a beauty of nature. Its destruction, and exact location, remain unknown.
- Lighthouse of Alexandria - The Ptolemaic Kingdom was responsible for building the Lighthouse of Alexandria sometime between 280 – 247 BCE. The Lighthouse was built to be used at the port in Alexandria, Egypt. Its construction took twelve years to complete. Once finished, the Lighthouse became one of the tallest man-made structures on Earth (behind the Great Pyramid). The Lighthouse of Alexandria stood at 330 feet (100.5 m) tall, and was in use for over one thousand years. Between 956 – 1323 CE, a series of earthquakes slowly deteriorated the Lighthouse and eventually caused it to collapse.
- Mausoleum at Halicarnassus - Mausolus was the mighty ruler of the Achaemenid Empire. In 353 BCE, he died, just as every other ruler does. However, a special tomb was designed for Mausolus. This tomb, the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, was completed in 350 BCE in the ancient city of Halicarnassus, Greece (modern-day Bodrum, Turkey). The Mausoleum stood at 148 feet (45.1 m) tall and was one of the most extravagant buildings of its time. Of the six out of seven wonders that have been destroyed, the Mausoleum lasted the longest, all the way up until roughly 1400 CE when a series of earthquakes brought the Mausoleum to ruins. The modern word “mausoleum” comes from this.
- Statue of Zeus at Olympia - Zeus was the Greek god of thunder, and was thought to be the sky itself. He had his own temple built in Olympia, Greece. Around 453 BCE, Greek sculptor Phidias decided to build a statue of Zeus within the temple. When completed, the statue was 41 feet (12.4 m) tall and portrayed Zeus sitting on a throne. The locals believed that if Zeus were to ever stand up, he would unroof the temple. Many Greeks used the temple as a place of worship. The Statue of Zeus, along with the Temple of Zeus, stood until it was destroyed in a large fire around 425 CE.
- Temple of Artemis - Greeks clearly loved their gods, and they built many temples because of this. One temple was built for Artemis, goddess of the hunt, the wilderness, wild animals, the Moon, and chastity. She was also the daughter of Zeus. The Temple of Artemis was constructed in the ancient city of Ephesus (located in modern-day Turkey). Although its construction date is unknown, what is known is that the temple was destroyed and rebuilt twice. By 401 CE, however, the temple lay in ruins. Today, small remains of the Temple of Artemis can viewed where the grand wonder once stood.
Seven Wonders of the Ancient World
The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World (from left to right, top to bottom): Great Pyramid of Giza, Hanging Gardens of Babylon, Temple of Artemis, Statue of Zeus at Olympia, Mausoleum of Maussollos, Colossus of Rhodes, and the Lighthouse of Alexandria as depicted by sixteenth-century Dutch artist Maarten van Heemskerck
The Seven Wonders of the World (or the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World) is a widely known list of seven remarkable constructions of antiquity. It was based on guide-books popular among Hellenic sightseers and includes only works located around the Mediterranean rim. Later lists include those for the medieval world and the modern world.
The original Seven Wonders of the World consists of the Great Pyramid of Giza, (the most ancient as well as the only surviving structure), Hanging Gardens of Babylon, Temple of Artemis, Statue of Zeus at Olympia, Mausoleum of Maussollos, Colossus of Rhodes, and the Lighthouse of Alexandria.
The notion of "Seven Wonders" can be traced to a Hellenistic recognition of trans-cultural human achievement that found expression throughout the Hellenistic world. For thousands of years, the Seven Wonders of the World have inspired humankind as representative works symbolic of the great civilizations of antiquity. In terms of innovative design, elaborate construction, technological mastery, and symbolic meaning, the Seven Wonders have not only showcased the high points of diverse civilizations but tied humankind together in the common pursuit of intellectual excellence and self-expression.
Seven Wonders of the Ancient World
The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, also known as the Seven Wonders of the World or simply the Seven Wonders, is a list of seven notable structures present during classical antiquity. The first known list of seven wonders dates back to the 2nd–1st century BC.
While the entries have varied over the centuries, the seven traditional wonders are the Great Pyramid of Giza, the Colossus of Rhodes, the Lighthouse of Alexandria, the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, the Temple of Artemis, the Statue of Zeus at Olympia, and the Hanging Gardens of Babylon.
Using modern-day countries, two of the wonders were located in Greece, two in Turkey, two in Egypt, and one in Iraq. Of the seven wonders, only the Pyramid of Giza, which is also by far the oldest of the wonders, still remains standing, while the others have been destroyed over the centuries. There is scholarly debate over the exact nature of the Hanging Gardens, and there is doubt as to whether they existed at all.
