The 7 Wonders of the World: A Journey Through Time and Space

Have you ever wondered what are the most amazing and awe-inspiring creations of human civilization? If so, you might be interested in learning about the 7 wonders of the world, a list of remarkable monuments and structures that showcase the ingenuity, artistry, and diversity of human cultures throughout history.

The concept of the 7 wonders of the world dates back to ancient times, when Greek and Roman writers compiled lists of the most impressive and magnificent works of architecture and engineering that they knew of. These lists varied slightly, but they usually included the following seven wonders of the ancient world:

• The Great Pyramid of Giza, the oldest and largest of the three pyramids in the Giza Necropolis, Egypt. It was built as a tomb for the pharaoh Khufu around 2560 BC and is the only wonder of the ancient world that still exists today.
• The Hanging Gardens of Babylon, a legendary series of terraced gardens that were said to have been built by King Nebuchadnezzar II for his wife Amytis in the ancient city of Babylon, Iraq. They were described as a paradise of exotic plants and animals, watered by an ingenious irrigation system. However, their exact location and appearance remain a mystery, as no archaeological evidence has been found to confirm their existence.
• The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, a magnificent temple dedicated to the goddess of hunting, wilderness, and fertility, Artemis, in the ancient city of Ephesus, Turkey. It was built in the 6th century BC and rebuilt several times after being destroyed by fire, flood, and plunder. It was considered one of the largest and most beautiful temples in the ancient world, adorned with marble columns, sculptures, and gold ornaments.
• The Statue of Zeus at Olympia, a colossal statue of the king of the gods, Zeus, in the sanctuary of Olympia, Greece. It was made by the famous sculptor Phidias around 435 BC and was one of the most revered and visited sites in ancient Greece. It was made of ivory and gold and depicted Zeus sitting on a throne, holding a scepter and a Nike (victory) in his hands.
• The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, a monumental tomb built for the Persian governor Mausolus and his wife Artemisia II in the city of Halicarnassus, Turkey. It was constructed in the 4th century BC and was designed by four renowned Greek architects, each responsible for one side of the building. It was decorated with statues, reliefs, and friezes, and topped by a pyramid and a chariot with four horses.
• The Colossus of Rhodes, a gigantic bronze statue of the sun god Helios, standing at the entrance of the harbor of the island of Rhodes, Greece. It was erected in the 3rd century BC to celebrate the victory of Rhodes over the invading army of Antigonus I Monophthalmus. It was one of the tallest statues in the ancient world, measuring about 33 meters (108 feet) in height, and was visible from far away by sailors and travelers.
• The Lighthouse of Alexandria, a towering lighthouse built on the island of Pharos, near the city of Alexandria, Egypt. It was completed in the 3rd century BC and was one of the most useful and innovative wonders of the ancient world. It served as a navigational aid and a symbol of the power and prosperity of the Ptolemaic dynasty. It was made of stone and had three tiers: a square base, an octagonal middle, and a cylindrical top. It was topped by a fire that burned at night and a mirror that reflected the sun during the day.

These seven wonders of the ancient world were admired and celebrated by many generations of travelers, writers, and artists, until they gradually fell into ruin and oblivion due to natural disasters, wars, and vandalism. Today, only the Great Pyramid of Giza remains intact, while the others are either completely destroyed or exist only in fragments and reconstructions.

However, the idea of the 7 wonders of the world did not die with the ancient world. In fact, it inspired many people to create new lists of wonders that reflect the changing times and tastes of different cultures and eras. For example, in the Middle Ages, some lists included wonders such as the Hagia Sophia, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, and Stonehenge. In the modern times, some lists included wonders such as the Eiffel Tower, the Statue of Liberty, and the Panama Canal.

In 2000, a Swiss foundation called the New7Wonders Foundation launched a global campaign to select the new 7 wonders of the world, based on public voting and expert opinion. The campaign received over 100 million votes from people around the world, and the final results were announced in 2007. The new 7 wonders of the world are:

• The Great Wall of China, a series of fortifications that stretch for over 21,000 kilometers (13,000 miles) across northern China. It was built over several centuries, from the 3rd century BC to the 17th century AD, by various Chinese dynasties and states, to protect their territories from invaders and nomads. It is the longest and largest man-made structure in the world and a symbol of the endurance and perseverance of the Chinese people.
• The Petra, an ancient city carved out of red sandstone rocks in the desert of southern Jordan. It was the capital of the Nabataean Kingdom, a powerful and wealthy Arab civilization that flourished from the 4th century BC to the 1st century AD. It was famous for its elaborate architecture, water management system, and trade network. It was abandoned and forgotten for centuries, until it was rediscovered by a Swiss explorer in 1812. It is now one of the most visited and photographed archaeological sites in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• The Colosseum, a massive amphitheater in the center of Rome, Italy. It was built in the 1st century AD by the Roman emperors of the Flavian dynasty, as a venue for public entertainment, such as gladiator fights, animal hunts, and mock naval battles. It could hold up to 80,000 spectators and was equipped with sophisticated mechanisms and devices, such as trapdoors, elevators, and awnings. It is one of the most iconic and impressive monuments of the Roman civilization and a testament to their engineering and artistic skills.
• The Chichen Itza, a complex of Mayan ruins in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. It was one of the largest and most important cities of the Maya civilization, which flourished from the 6th to the 13th century AD. It was a center of religious, political, and economic activity, as well as a hub of scientific and artistic innovation. It features many remarkable buildings and structures, such as the Temple of Kukulkan (also known as El Castillo), a pyramid with four staircases that align with the solstices and equinoxes, the Great Ball Court, where a ritual ball game was played, and the Caracol, an observatory with a spiral staircase and windows that track the movements of the stars and planets.
• The Machu Picchu, a citadel of stone buildings and terraces perched on a mountain ridge in the Andes, Peru. It was built in the 15th century AD by the Inca Empire, as a royal estate and a sacred site. It was abandoned and hidden from the Spanish conquerors, until it was revealed to the world by an American explorer in 1911. It is one of the most stunning and mysterious wonders of the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• The Christ the Redeemer, a colossal statue of Jesus Christ with open arms, overlooking the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It was erected in the 1930s, as a symbol of Brazilian Christianity and a gesture of peace and goodwill. It stands at 38 meters (125 feet) tall, including the pedestal, and weighs 635 tons. It is made of reinforced concrete and soapstone and is illuminated by electric lights at night. It is one of the most recognizable and beloved landmarks of Brazil and a popular tourist attraction.
• The Taj Mahal, a white marble mausoleum in the city of Agra, India. It was built in the 17th century by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, as a tribute to his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, who died in childbirth. It is considered one of the most beautiful and romantic buildings in the world, with its elegant domes, minarets, arches, and gardens. It is also a masterpiece of Islamic art and architecture and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

These are the new 7 wonders of the world, as chosen by millions of people around the world. They represent the diversity and richness of human culture and history, as well as the creativity and skill of human builders and artists. They are also a reminder of the fragility and vulnerability of human achievements, as many of them face threats from natural disasters, wars, pollution, and neglect. They deserve our admiration and respect, as well as our protection and preservation, for they are not only wonders of the world, but also wonders of humanity.