Authored by Kimberly Back in Paranormal
Published on 07-16-2009
One can’t simply mention the Seven Wonders of the World without getting a reply of “Which seven?” Two of the most commonly accepted “seven wonders” lists are the traditional seven wonders called the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and the more recent list referred to as the New Seven Wonders of the World. Here, you will find lists and descriptions of the ancient and new Seven Wonders of the World.
The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World This list, formed 2,200 years ago by Greek scholars, contains some of the most renowned creations in world history. Of the seven wonders on this list, only one survives today, and another may have never existed.
The Great Pyramid of Giza (Egypt): It is the largest of the three iconic Giza pyramids. The Great Pyramid was built by Egyptian pharaoh Khufu around 2560 B.C., to serve as his burial tomb.
The Lighthouse of Alexandra (Egypt): It stood as a Mediterranean guide at the port of Alexandria for 1,500 years before being damaged by earthquakes in the 14th century.
The Hanging Gardens of Babylon (Iraq): There is still debate as to whether these gardens existed. The lavish gardens were supposedly built in 600 B.C. by Nebuchadnezzar II, in order to please his wife who missed the greenery of her homeland in modern day Iran.
The Temple of Artemis (Turkey): Dedicated to the Greek goddess Artemis, this temple survived being burned before it was destroyed by the Goths in the 3rd century, and the Christians in the 5th century.
The Mausoleum of Halicarnassus (Turkey): This tomb, built by the widow of King Mausolus of Caria, a governor in the Persian Empire, is the derivative of the word “mausoleum.” The tomb was taken apart by Christian Crusaders in the 15th century.
The Statue of Zeus at Olympia (Greece): This 40-foot-tall (12-meter-tall) statue of the Greek god Zeus, completed around 432 B.C., was built in honor of the original Olympic games. The statue was destroyed when the Olympic games were banned as a pagan practice.
The Colossus of Rhodes (Greece): This stone, iron, and bronze statue of the Greek god Helios is said to have been the tallest ancient statue, having stood at an astounding 110 feet (33 meters).
The New Seven Wonders of the World This list was created from the results of a voting project by the organization New7Wonders. Some view the list as controversial, and refuse to acknowledge the results, which attracted around 100 million votes worldwide. Due note that The Great Pyramid at Giza was given honorary status on the “New” list, as it is the last surviving ancient wonder.
Taj Mahal (India): A mausoleum in Agra, India dedicated to the memory of Mumtaz Mahal, the wife of the Muslim Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. Emperor Jahan began building the Taj Mahal in 1632, and it was completed around 1647.
Chichén Itzá (Mexico): This is a pre-Columbian Mayan temple city that was the center of Mayan culture from A.D. 750 to 1200.
Christ the Redeemer (Brazil): It is a 120-foot-tall (38-meter-tall) statue of Jesus Christ located in Rio de Janeiro. Christ the Redeemer has become one of the most recognized symbols of Brazil. It was constructed from 1922 to 1931.
The Great Wall of China: This wall, originally built to keep out invading Monguls, stretches approximately 4,000 miles (6,400 kilometers) long along China’s northern border. It was built over many centuries from 5th century B.C. to the 16th century.
Petra (Jordan): In ancient times, Petra was the capital city of the Nabataean kingdom of King Aretas IV (9 B.C. to A.D. 40). It houses stone structures, tunnels, and even an amphitheater. It was discovered by the Western world in 1812.
The Colosseum (Italy): This Roman wonder used to hold up to 50,000 spectators. It is the infamous home of gladiator events, and many modern sports arenas have used the Colosseum as a model.
Machu Picchu (Peru): It is a village is that is one of the last standing reminders of the Incas. Many believe that the village was abandoned after a smallpox outbreak.
