Africa Facts Zone has been able to compile an impressive list of the 7 wonders of the world through rigorous selection process that considered more than 200 potential marvels from across the globe.
Since the dawn of time, civilizations around the globe have erected cities, monuments, tombs and other structures that continue to inspire awe in millions. It’s a tall order to reduce all of the world’s marvels to just seven.
What is the 7 Wonders of the World?
The extraordinary works of art and architecture are known as the 7 Wonders of the World. They stand as a tribute to the creativity, inventiveness and sheer hard work of which human beings are capable. They are also, however, reminders of the human ability for conflict, destruction and, maybe, exaggeration.
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Here are the 7 wonders of the world:
India’s famed Taj Mahal
Italy’s Colosseum
Itza – Chichen Itza
Peru’s Sacred City of Machu Picchu
Brazil’s Christ the Redeemer
Petra is located in the Jordanian province of Petra
China’s Great Wall
The Taj Mahal, India
In addition to its historical significance, the Taj Mahal‘s love story and breathtaking beauty have made it a household name throughout the globe. Historic Indian city of Agra is home to the Taj Mahal. The mausoleum of Shah Jahan’s wife, Mumtaz Mahal, is located here. As a memorial to his wife’s memory and the affection he had for her, the Emperor is supposed to have commissioned the construction of the Taj Mahal.
As early as 1632, the Taj Mahal was constructed. For the Taj Mahal, it took 17 years, 22,000 workers, stonecutters and painters, and 1000 elephants. An estimated US$827 million was spent building the temple. The Taj Mahal was embellished with 28 different kinds of precious and semi-precious stones. The hue of the monument varies with the light of the moon and the time of day. The Taj Mahal was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 and as one of the 7 wonders of the world. It now receives between 7 and 8 million tourists annually.
Italy’s Colosseum
The Colosseum in Rome, Italy, is one of the 7 wonders of the world. The Colosseum, an oval amphitheater in the city’s heart, is also known as the Flavian Amphitheatre. It is the world’s biggest amphitheater, built out of concrete and sand. During the reign of Vespasian, Emperor Titus began building the Colosseum in AD 72 and completed it in AD 80. During the reign of Domitian, another Flavian emperor, certain changes were made to the amphitheater. This majestic monument was constructed with the help of tens of thousands of slaves. At the time of its completion, the Colosseum could hold roughly 80,000 people and had 80 entrances.
The Colosseum hosted a variety of public shows, including mock sea wars, animal hunts, combat re-enactments, executions, and legendary tragedies. The Emperor’s treasury paid for free admission to events in the Colosseum. There was a lot of savagery at the Colosseum, though. On several days, nearly 10,000 animals were butchered. Today, the Colosseum is a major tourist destination and serves as an emblem of Imperial Rome.
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Mexico’s Chichen Itza
Chichen Itza is a prehistoric city-state on the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico. During the Terminal Classic era, the Maya erected it as a pre-Columbian metropolis. The ancient Maya people revered Chichen Itza’s temples, arcades, and pyramids. A wide range of architectural styles can be seen at Chichen Itza, which is thought to have been a prominent Mayan metropolis.
Chichen Itza’s Temple of Kukulkan is a Maya astronomy-based archeological masterpiece. An whole year’s worth of challenges awaits. Each of the four sides has 91 steps, and the platform at the top is the 365th one. The Maya civilization’s great astronomical expertise is on display at the site, which includes a complex ancient observatory. The ruins of Chichen Itza were abandoned around the 1400s, according to legend. The reason why individuals fled their houses in the city, however, is still a mystery. The site’s historical significance elevates it to the rank of global wonder and one of the 7 wonders of the world.
Peruvian city of Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu, one of the 7 wonders of the world, is a popular tourist destination for tourists from all over the globe. The Machupicchu District in Peru’s Cusco Region contains the site. As most archaeologists believe, the Inca ruler Pachacuti constructed Machu Picchu about 1450. When the Spanish came to conquer the area, the city that had grown there was depopulated and left to rot. Hiram Bingham, an American adventurer, was the first to locate the place, which was previously unknown to the rest of the world. Machu Pichu may have been the last stop on an Inca pilgrimage path, according to a new idea.
Visiting Machu Picchu is an excellent opportunity to learn more about the Incan culture. Important constructions at Machu Pichu were strategically placed due to the proximity of sacred mountains to the Incas. No mortar was utilized in the construction of Machu Picchu’s buildings. Even a credit card would not be able to go between the joints of the stones. It not only enhanced the structures’ architectural appeal, but it also served as an earthquake-resistant barrier. If there were earthquakes, the stones would ‘dance’ and then fall back into position. In order to build Machu Pichu, an engineering marvel, a lot of complex civil engineering work had to be carried out under the surface of two mountain peaks. This is mostly hidden from the visitor’s view.
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The Redeemer’s Church in Brazil
Rio de Janeiro’s Christ the Redeemer monument, a masterpiece of Art Deco architecture, is one of the 7 wonders of the world. Paul Landowski, a French artist, is credited with the statue’s construction. The face was sculpted by Romanian artist Gheorghe Leonida. A total of $250,000 was given by people in and around Brazil towards the sculpture’s construction.
He stands at 98 feet tall and stands on a 26-foot pedestal. It has 92-foot-wide arms. Located atop the 2,300-foot-high Corcovado mountain, the monument weighs 635 tons and is composed of soapstone and concrete. The statue’s construction began in 1922 and was finished in 1931. It is the world’s biggest art deco sculpture. It’s not the biggest Christ statue in the world, however. The chapel at the foot of the statue was proclaimed a sanctuary by the Catholic Church in 2006, so couples may be married there. A number of Hollywood films have included the monument.
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Petra, Jordan
The Jordanian city of Petra is one of the 7 wonders of the world. Because of the hue of the stone from which it is carved, Petra is also known as the “Rose City.” It’s a must-see for tourists because of its archaeological, historical, and architectural significance. The city’s water conduit system and rock-cut architecture are the city’s most noticeable characteristics. The ancient Nabataeans’ water distribution system contributed to the growth of a thriving metropolis in the middle of the desert. For tourists, Petra’s Royal Tombs, enormous mausoleums cut into the rock, are the most popular attractions.
Furthermore, Petra has been designated a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). For this reason, the Smithsonian magazine named it one of the top 28 places to see in the world before you die. Petra was used as a location for the filming of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade in 1989.
The Great Wall of China
One of the world’s most popular tourist attractions, the Great Wall of China is noted for its uniqueness, length and historical significance. In addition, it is one of the 7 wonders of the world. The Great Wall of China has been a part of Chinese history for thousands of years.
Beginning in the 7th century BCE, Chinese emperors and kingdoms began erecting a succession of walls over a long period of time. The wall was built with the help of over 20 different dynasties and nations. To create the Great Wall of China, several barriers were combined. Not simply a wall, but a fortress consisting of watchtowers, beacon towers, ditches, and other defensive features was constructed to keep out the enemy. 21,196.18 km long is the official length of China’s Great Wall (13,170.7 mi). A large portion of the Great Wall’s original structure has been lost over time. In 1987, the property was included on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
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Egypt’s Great Pyramid At Giza
Although not being a part of the official 7 wonders of the world, the Great Pyramid of Giza is nonetheless given an honorary title. The Giza Pyramid Complex consists of three pyramids, the largest and oldest of which is the Great Pyramid of Giza. Egyptologists think that the construction of this pyramid took between 10 and 20 years and was finished about 2560 BC.
The Great Pyramid of Giza was the world’s highest building for more than 3,800 years until it was overtaken by skyscrapers. Engineers and architects throughout the globe have been perplexed by the Pyramid’s construction, which took place at a period when there were no contemporary infrastructure facilities. Khufu, an Egyptian pharaoh of the Fourth Dynasty, is buried in the pyramid.
