From Petra to Machu Picchu: New Seven Wonders of the World Worth Visiting
Corners of the world have been filled with architectural beauty, the result of years of planning and hard work. From the list of all the well-engineered ones, seven have topped it and are now known as the Seven Wonders of the World. Their list of man-made beauty has changed over time, as the Modern Seven Wonders of the World have replaced some of the Ancient Wonders. Back in the day, the list of wonders was created by travelers as they strolled through Ancient Greece, taking note of the incredible sights they saw, and it grew over the years. The natural calamity shook the world and caused mass destruction, reducing these wonders to pieces. That did not deter modern rulers from commissioning architecture to commemorate themselves. That's when the new list took down the ancient one, bearing witness to man's efforts to engrave his tombstone in gold. In this post, you will get to know about each of the New Seven Wonders of the World in detail.
1. Great Wall of China
The Great Wall of China is a series of fortifications built to create a passageway and barrier. In 1987, the wall was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The first emperor built the first wall of the fortification, and some sections of the walls remain. The successors and subsequent dynasties completed the majority of the wall. The Great Wall of China was built along the east-to-west northern borders of China.
Location: China
Built Date: 7th Century BC
History: The Great Wall of China was built to protect the civilization from invasions by nomads from Inner Asia. The wall was constructed over a period of 2000 years. Qin Shin Huang, the first emperor of China, was behind the idea of constructing these walls. As power grew over time, other emperors also took part in completing the walls' construction. Later, the Han, Tang, Northern Song, Liao, Ming, and many other dynasties.
2. Chichen Itza
Chichen Itza is a major focal point in the Northern Maya Lowlands. It is one of the largest Maya cities, with roots in the mythical city of Tollan and in Mesoamerican literature. Chichen Itza is located in the eastern portion of the Yucatan State in Mexico. During its apogee, Chichen Itza was a major economic power and a center of trade. UNESCO has titled it as the premier World Heritage Site. The city is famous for the Temple of Kukulcan (El Castillo) and the splendid astronomical alignments.
Location: Mexican State of the Yucatan, Mayan City of Chichen Itza, Mexico
Built Date: Late Classic to Terminal Classic (c. AD 600-900)
History: The Itza is a city created by the Mayan Pilgrimage Center, also known as the water sorcerers. The city was developed for a surviving culture in the heart of the dense jungles of Chiapas, Guatemala, Yucatan, Honduras, and Belize. Though the conditions did not provide in favor, they did have a splendid life that was refined around it.
3. Petra
Petra, also known as Raqmu, is a famous archaeological site in Jordan. The site is known for its rock-cut architecture and water-conduit systems. Petra is also known as the Rose City, because of the color of the sandstone used to carve the design. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has been described by UNESCO as one of the most precious cultural properties of man's cultural heritage. It is the most famous city in Jordan.
Location: Ma'an Governorate, Jordan
Built Date: Possibly during the 5th century BC
History: Petra is an ancient city inhabited by the Nabataeans. Dated back to the Neolithic Age of 7000 BC, there were hints of civilization in the north of Petra. The city was founded at the crossroads of Arabia, Egypt, and the Mediterranean Sea. These Arabian nomads would settle anywhere they could and find the domestic animals. Over time, they sharpen their skills to become successful traders in Petra.
4. Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu, also known as the "Lost City of the Incas," is located on a mountain ridge above the Sacred Valley, which forms a deep canyon. The architectural marvel is considered a symbol of the Inca civilization's survival. Now, it is considered to have been the estate of the Inca emperor Pachacuti and was later abandoned. The site is constructed in the classic Inca style with dry-stone walls. Some of the main structures include the Temple of the Sun, the Temple of the Three Windows, and the Intihuatana ritual stone. Machu Picchu was designated a National Historical Sanctuary by Peru in 1981 and later designated a World Heritage site by UNESCO.
Location: Machupicchu District, Urubamba, Cusco, Peru.
Built Date: 15th Century
History: The history of Machu Picchu has been under intense scrutiny and continues to be under the microscope. This Peruvian City is 100 years old. It was built as a royal estate for the Inca emperor Pachacuti. The site was abandoned for a centure later that, mainly during the Spanish Conquest. The construction was possible only after Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui's takeover.
5. Christ the Redeemer
Christ the Redeemer is a sculpture that stands tall in Brazil. The Art Deco was created by the French-Polish sculptor Paul Landowski and was built by the Brazilian engineer Heitor da Silva Costa, with the French engineer Albert Caquot. The face of the sculpture was the work of Romanian artist Gheorghe Leonida. The statue stands on an 8-meter pedestal and faces east, with a height of 30 meters. The statue is made of soapstone and reinforced concrete. Christ the Redeemer is the largest Art Deco-style statue in the world and one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
Location: Corcovado Mountain, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Built Date: 1922- October 12, 1931
History: The idea and plan behind the status were to place the globe in Christ's hand and the cross in the other, but what emerged upon completion was entirely different. The statue professes the belief that Christ will save the world. The statue project was first shared by the Vincentian priest Pedro Maria Boss, who was later disapproved but not dismissed as the country became a republic.
6. The Colosseum
The Colosseum is an elliptical amphitheater built in the middle of Rome, Italy. The construction of the Colosseum began under the Emperor Vespasian in AD 72 and was completed by Titus, his successor, in AD 80. It is the largest ancient amphitheater ever built and the largest standing amphitheater in the world. The material used to build the amphitheater is travertine limestone, tuff, and brick-faced Roman concrete. The theatre was used to host shows such as animal hunting, executions, contests, battles, and mythological plays.
Location: Regio III Isis et Serapis, Rome, Italy
Built Date: AD 70-80
History: For the construction of the Colosseum, the site was between the valleys of the Caelian, Esquiline, and Palatine Hills. The site was completely flat, with a stream flowing from the artificial lake. Later, the land became fully inhabited, only to be destroyed by the Great Fire of Rome. After enduring hardship, the ruler returned the land to the people by building an amphitheater for their entertainment.
7. Taj Mahal
Taj Mahal is a mausoleum built on the riverbank of the Yamuna, in Agra. The mausoleum is constructed of ivory-white stone, making it splendid. Taj Mahal was built by the fifth Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan, in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. It is a house with a couple's tombs and a mosque inside. Ustab Ahmad Lahori is the architect of the great mausoleum. The tomb of Mumtaz is at the center, and the entire hall is covered on the three sides by the crenelated wall. In 1983, the Taj Mahal was added to the World Heritage Sites list.
Location: Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India
Built Date: 1631-1653
History: The Taj Mahal was made to immortalize love. In the year 1631, the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan built the mausoleum in memory of his most favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal, the Persian princess. After giving birth to his child, she died on the way to a campaign to crush a rebellion. This was a promise the queen asked of the emperor, which he kept, and later he was barred by his own son from visiting the tombstone.
Conclusion: These new seven wonders of the world cannot be described with the same intensity in any words as you would feel upon seeing them yourself. People have, time and again, found their ethereal beauty spellbinding. They are the symbol of perseverance, grace, and dignity. Make sure that you pay a visit once in a lifetime to see the beauty that they hold. The architecture was even then a peak of artistic excellence, human ingenuity, and ambition to strive for perfection. You can use this post to freshen your basics of the seven architectural gems of the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the seven wonders of the ancient world?
The seven wonders of the ancient world 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.
2. Who decides the list of the New Seven Wonders of the World?
The New Seven Wonders of the World were decided by the popular vote led by Bernard Weber of the New7Wonders Foundation.
3. Why did the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World change?
The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World changed over time as they were destroyed by natural disasters.
4. Which one of the Seven Wonders of the World is the youngest?
Out of the Seven Wonders of the World, the youngest is Christ the Redeemer in Brazil.
5. Does the list of the Seven Wonders of the World update gradually?
No, the list of the Seven Wonders of the World does not update gradually or regularly.
