The campaign for the ‘New 7 Wonders of the World’ was launched by a Swiss foundation in the year 2000. As the original list of the Seven Wonders was composed in the second century, it required an update. The original list had only one entrant still standing- the Pyramids of Giza. Thus, with the help of a popularity poll via web-based, voting from more than 10 million people, a new list of the Seven Wonders of the World was compiled.
1. The Taj Mahal, India
The Taj Mahal is an ivory-white mausoleum complex built between 1628 to 1658 in the Indian city of Agra. This Mughal architecture is considered one of the most iconic monuments in the world. It was commissioned by Shah Jahan to house the tomb of Mumtaz Mahal, his favorite wife. It took almost 22 years and 20,000 workers to complete the construction of the Taj Mahal.
The Taj Mahal is a 42-acre complex with the tomb as its centerpiece. It also includes a guest house and a mosque. It is set in the formal gardens and is bounded by a crenelated wall on three sides.
Also known as ‘Crown of the Palace’, the Taj Mahal was designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in the year 1983. It is regarded as the best example of Muslim art and architecture in India.
2. Petra, Jordan
Known for its water conduit system and rock-cut architecture, Petra was declared as a World Heritage site in the year 1985. The city was established in 312 BC and considered as a capital by the Nabataeans tribe. It was alleged to be one such place where water gushed when Moses struck a rock. The city flourished during the time of the Nabataeans and became an important trade center.
Until 1812, this historical city remained unknown to most of the western world. It was then introduced by a Swiss explorer named Johann Ludwig Burckhardt. The El-Deir monastery, a 4000 seat amphitheater, and several stone-carved structures have helped the site earn its name.
Petra is also referred to as the “Rose City’. The reason being the stone’s color out of which the site was carved.
3. Machu Picchu, Peru
Built-in a classic Inca style, Machu Picchu is situated in the Cusco region of the Machupicchu District of Peru, on a mountain ridge about 2,430 meters above sea level. It is often referred to as the ‘Lost City of the Incas’ and the Inca civilization’s most familiar icon.
The three primary structures of Machu Picchu are the Temple of the Sun, the Inti Watana, and the Room of the Three Windows.
Until 1911, Machu Picchu remained unknown to most of the world. It was declared as a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1983. In 2007, the site was voted as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
4. Christ The Redeemer, Brazil
Christ the Redeemer is an art deco, colossal statue of Jesus Christ that stands on the top of Mount Corcovado in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It was built by an engineer Heitor da Silva Costa and Albert Caquot and crafted by a sculptor named Paul Landowski.
The statue is made of reinforced concrete to support its enormous arm span. It weighs about 635 metric tons and is considered as the world’s largest Art Deco sculpture.
Christ the Redeemer has become a symbol of Christianity all over the world. It has also become an icon of culture for both Brazil and Rio de Janeiro.
5. Chichen Itza, Mexico
An archaeological site situated in the Mexican state of Yucatan, Chichen Itza was a powerful city of the Mayan Civilization. Back then, the city acted as a trading center for slaves, clothes, salt, and honey under the Mayan tribe.
The center of Chichen Itza is dominated by a Mesoamerican step pyramid known as El Castillo or the Temple of Kukulcan. This pyramid has a series of square terraces and stairways up from each of the four sides towards the temple. Each of these four sides had about 91 steps. The height of the structure is 30 meters, including 6 meters for the temple. The square base of the pyramid measures nearly 55.3 meters across.
6. Colosseum, Italy
The Colosseum or the Flavian Amphitheatre was built between AD 72 to AD 82. Located in the center of the Roman city, the Colosseum is the largest amphitheater ever built. The construction of this site began in AD 72, under the emperor Vespasian and was completed later by his successors.
It is said that the Colosseum could hold around 50,000 to 80,000 spectators. It was then used for public spectacles and gladiatorial contests. Later, it was ceased from being used for entertainment purposes and reused for workshops, housing, quarry, fortress, and a Christain Shrine.
7. The Great Wall, China
Built over 1800 years between the 5th century and the 16th century BC, the Great Wall of China refers to a series of overlapping walls built along the Chinese border. These fortifications are made of brick, stone, wood, tampered earth, and other materials.
The main purpose of the Great Wall of China was to protect the Chinese empires and states against foreign raids and invasions. Several walls were built and later joined, which are now collectively called the Great Wall of China. The wall is constructed across mountain ridges and passes to make strategic use of the terrain.
The wall spans approximately about 4000 miles and is the world’s longest manmade structure. It is now considered as a Chinese national symbol.
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