7 Wonders of the World: A Bucket List Must-See
The seven wonders of the world are the curated list of the most stunning architectural marvels. These embody the cultural and historical spirit and significance of the place. They are must-visit places on every traveller’s bucket-list, that everyone must experience at least once in their lifetime.
The old 7 wonders of the world have held immense historical significance for the longest time. Although most of them now only lie in ruins, their sites continue to remain relevant.
1. The Great Pyramids of Giza, Egypt
- Location: Al Haram, Nazlet El-Semman, Al Haram, Giza Governorate, Egypt
- Best time for Visiting: September-April
- Nearby Attractions: Great Sphinx of Giza, Grand Egyptian Museum, Giza Plateau, etc.
The Great Pyramid of Giza is the only standing ancient wonder of the world. Located in Egypt, this marvel is eternal as it is over 4,500 years old. It was built in 2,589 BC over 20 years serving the purpose of a tomb for the king (pharaoh) Khufu.
The largest of the three pyramids, Giza Pyramid stands as a colossal mammoth. The base of the pyramid measures 230 m on each side and has a height of 147m. It took 5.22 million metric tons of stone blocks and advanced techniques to construct this spectacular monolith. It is a wonder of genius engineering and construction technologies that scientists to date are trying to figure out.
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2. Hanging Gardens of Babylon, Iran
- Location: Al-Hillah, Iraq
- The ideal time to visit: October-November
- Nearby Attractions: Citadel of Arbil, Sami Abdulrahman Park, Erbil-Kurdistan, and several others.
Once upon a time, the Hanging gardens of Babylon used to be exotic gardens that were also marvels of agricultural engineering. Although, the actual existence of these marvels is disputed, as some believe it was located in Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrian Empire. Historians believe these were built somewhere sound 600 BCE by the Babylonia ruler Nebuchadnezzar II.
The ruins, however, were discovered in the Iranian city of Al-Hillah. It is speculated that these gardens were once filled with lush foliages, vibrant blossoming flowers, luscious fruits, and impressive waterfalls. As mysterious as this wonder is, it surely would have been a spectacular sight in the past.
3. Statue of Zeus, Olympia, Greece
- Location: Olympia, Greece
- Ideal time to visit: Mid-April-June or September-October
- Nearby Attractions: Archaeological Museum of Olympia, Temple of Hera, Philippeion, Ancient Olympia.
The statue of Zeus was an ancient world wonder that used to be seated in the huge temple of Zeus, at Olympia. The town is located along the west coast of Greece and is famous for the Olympic Games. The grandiose statue was one of two masterpieces of the Greek master sculptor Phidias and dates back to 430 BCE.
It showed the god Zeus seated on a throne holding the statue of Nike, the goddess of victory. The 42 ft high statue was initially sculpted in wood and was then clad in ivory and gold. The sculpture was revered as the most stunning depiction of god and became a symbol for Zeus thereafter. The statue and the temple were destroyed in around 426 BCE, and only a few orders of the temple remain today.
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4. Temple of Artemis, Turkey
- Location: Atatürk Mahallesi, Dr. Sabri Yayla Blv., İzmir, Turkey
- Ideal times to visit: April – May, September-November
- Nearby Attractions: Hagia Sophia, Sultan Ahmed Mosque, Topkapı Palace, Grand Bazaar, and several more.
The Temple of Artemis is believed to be the most spectacular ancient wonder of the world. It had the magnificence of the Pyramid of Giza, the might of Colussus of Rhodes, and the stunning visual appeal of the hanging gardens of Babylon combined. The temple dedicated to the goddess of the hunt Artemis appeared to be touching the sky.
The structure underwent several phases of deconstruction and reconstruction, and was destroyed first by invasions and later buried under floods. When it stood in all its glory, it was 377 ft tall and 200 ft wide and was adorned with 127 ionic style colonnades and fine sculptures.
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5. Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, Bodrum, Turkey
- Location: Tepecik Mahallesi, Bodrum, Mugla, Turkey
- Ideal time to visit: April-May, October-November
- Nearby Attractions: Kaunos Beach, Tlos, Marmaris Castle, Bodrum Castle, and others.
The Mausoleum of Halicarnassus was one of the most remarkable ancient 7 wonders of the world created to house the deceased. It is a tomb for Mausollos, the governor of Caria, Persia.
The architectural marvel was designed by prominent Greek architects, Satyrus and Phytis, between 353-50 BCE. It featured intricate carvings and sculptures on the exterior and stood 135 ft tall, until it was shattered by an earthquake, leaving only the ruins of its foundation behind.
6. Colussus of Rhodes, Greece
- Location: Rhodes, Greece
- Ideal time to visit: April-May, October-November
- Nearby Attractions: Kastello, Acropolis of Rhodes, Filerimos, and others.
A statue of the Greek God Helios once stood tall on Rhodes island in Greece. It symbolized victory and welcomed visitors onto the ancient Greece island located in the Aegean sea. The creator of the sculpture, Chares of Lidos erected the giant 105 ft tall sculpture between 292-80 BCE with bronze.
After around 56 years, in 224 BCE, an earthquake destroyed the sculpture, shattering it into pieces. These ruins attracted tourists until 654 CE when the bronze pieces were sold off.
7. Pharos (Lighthouse) of Alexandria
- Location: Pharos, Alexandria, Egypt
- Ideal time to visit: March-April, October
- Nearby Attractions: Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Montazah Palace Gardens, Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa, etc.
The old wonder of the world that was the Lighthouse of Alexandria was the pride of the Ptolemic empire. It was a marvel of construction and technology that became a prototype for lighthouses soon after it was made. The lighthouse on Pharos island was erected from 285 to 247 BCE and was over 350 ft tall. The structure was erected in three phases, a rectangular base, octagonal middle, and a cylindrical top.
It remained one of the tallest structures in the world for a very long time. However, it was destroyed in earthquakes that took place between 956-1323 AD. the location now has the Egyptian fort of Qaitbay which was constructed using the stones of the lighthouse.
7 New Wonders of the World
With only one of the ancient 7 wonders of the world standing, in 2000 the Swiss foundation thought of upgrading the seven wonders list to the new age monuments. The new 7 wonders of the world were thoughtfully selected from over 200 monuments.
1. Taj Mahal, India
- Location: Dharmapuri, Tajganj, Agra, Uttar Pradesh
- Ideal time to visit: November-March
- Nearby Attractions: Tomb of I’timad-ud-Daulah, Mehtab Bagh, Jama Mosque, Agra Fort, and many more.
The miracle of Mughal architecture, the Taj Mahal is a mausoleum for Mumtaz Mahal, the wife of emperor Shah Jahan. This monument located in Agra, India, is the epitome of their love. It took 22 years and 22,000 highly skilled laborers to build this wonder.
The balanced composition of the mausoleum, made in ivory marble, is complemented by the landscaped gardens. Intricate floral details on tiles, carvings, majestic domes, and minarets, define the mix-blend of many architectural styles of the Taj Mahal. It is truly the jewel crown of India and a must-visit amongst the new seven wonders of the world.
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2. Great Wall of China
- Location: Huairou, Beijing, China
- Ideal time to visit: September- October
- Nearby Attractions: The Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, etc.
The Great Wall of China is one of the world’s longest construction, running for a length of 5,500 miles. It is truly one of the most spectacular wonders of the world that was constructed in the 7th century BCE and extended for 2 millennials.
Although it’s called a wall, it’s a defensive fortification with two walls running parallelly with watchtowers and barracks embedded in it. The wall might have failed to serve the purpose it was created for, but it did not fail at creating a world landmark.
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3. Christ the Redeemer, Rio de Janeiro
- Location: Parque Nacional da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Ideal time to visit: December – March
- Nearby Attractions: Copacabana Beach, Ipanema, Maracanã Stadium, and others.
Located on Corcovado mountain in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, is the 92 ft tall statue of Jesus Christ as Christ the Redeemer. It is an Art Deco marvel that was erected in 1926-31 and was designed by Heitor da Silva Costa, Paul Landowski, and Carlos Ostwald.
The need to create this sculpture originated from the fear of the tide of godlessness. It was constructed in reinforced concrete and clad in 6 million tiles. The Brazilian landmark is a phenomenal wonder of the world.
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4. Petra, Jordan
- Location: Jordan
- Ideal Time to Visit: March-May
- Nearby Attractions: Dead Sea, Mount Nebo, Ajloun Castle, Roman Theater, and more
Petra in Jordan is a city located in a secluded southwestern valley. It is characterized by the pink sandstone mountains and cliffs that embody rock-cut architecture style. The city was once a thriving capital of the Nabatean’s tribal Arab community.
It had significantly flourished when the trade routes passed through the city. Several temples, houses, and tombs were sculpted from the sandstone. The most striking of them all was the Al Khazneh temple which was an adaptation of classical Greek architecture in rock-cut sandstone architecture. This world heritage site attracts millions every year.
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5. Machu Picchu, Peru
- Location: Mountain Machu Picchu, Peru
- Ideal Time to Visit: April-October
- Nearby Attractions: Sacred Valley, Colca Canyon, Saksaywaman, Islas Ballestas, and many more.
Machu Pichu located atop the Andes in Peru is one of the most mysterious seven wonders of the world. The purpose of the mortar-free limestone monument is disputed, whether it was a pilgrimage site or a home for the ‘virgins of sun’ women in the 15th century.
The Incan site discovered in 1911 is just a part of the pre-Columbian ruins that have remained intact. This collection of ruins indicates the existence of agricultural terraces, residences, plazas, and temples.
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6. Chichen Itza, Mexico
- Location: Yucatan, Mexico
- Ideal Time to Visit: December-March
- Nearby Attractions: Kabah, Pyramid of the Magician, Ik Kil, St. Ildephonsus Cathedral, Ek Balam, and many more.
The ancient Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza is identified by the stepped pyramid temple of El Castillo. Located on the Yucatan plateau in Mexico, the city flourished in the 9th-10th BCE when it was inhabited by the Mayan tribe.
The stunning El Castillo temple was a test of the Mayan astronomical abilities as it featured 91 steps on each side. The total number of steps comes to 365 days, which is the number of days in a Haab year.
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7. Colosseum, Rome
- Location: Piazza del Colosseo, 1, Roma, Italy
- Ideal time to visit: October-April
- Nearby Attractions: Pantheon Temple, Roman Forum, St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican Museums, and many more.
The Colosseum in Rome is simply a phenomenal wonder of the world. Built in the 1st century CE, the structure is a large amphitheater with a spectator capacity of 50,000. Commissioned by emperor Vespasian, this monument was constructed majorly in sand and concrete.
The most notable feature of the architecture of the Colosseum is the complex series of vaults and the grand scale. It has severed the function of entertaining many through the events it houses and continues to attract millions of tourists every year.
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Final Words
Every ancient and new-age wonder of the world is unique and equally marvelous. All the 7 wonders of the world are must-visit places that should be listed on your bucket lists.
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FAQs:
Great wall of China
Christ the Redeemer, Rio de Janeiro
Petra, Jordan
Machu Pichu, Peru
Chichen Itza, Mexico
Taj Mahal, India
Colosseum, Rome
The Great Pyramid of Giza, Egypt
Hanging Gardens of Babylon
Statue of Zeus, Olympia
Temple of Artemis
Mausoleum of Halicarnassus
Colossus of Rhodes
Lighthouse of Alexandria
Only one of the ancient seven wonders of the world still exists. That is the Great Pyramid of Giza.
The Eiffel tower is not a part of the seven wonders of the world list.
The Taj Mahal is a marvel of Mughal architecture in India. Its charm, craftsmanship, and finesse are one of a kind.
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