You’ve heard about the world wonders and probably know a thing or two about them. They are really magnificent edifices that were built in ancient times by some primordial engineering that modern science cannot even explain how. Here is a list of the top seven world wonders and where on earth they are.
Related media: Seven Wonders Of The Ancient World
#1. Great Wall Of China, China 🇨🇳
This is simply, though complicated, the much talked about, and probably you know. It has featured in several Hong Kong movies, and the myth of being able to see it in outer space. Spoiler alert: this is so not true.
The Great Wall is a series of fortifications made of stone, brick, tamped earth, wood, and other materials, built east to west across the ancient northern borders of China. Built in the 7th century B.C.E, it was primarily meant to protect the Chinese states and empires against the invasion of the various nomadic groups. The first emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang, built the first forts of the wall in 220 to 206 B.C.E. The fortifications were later built together, and are collectively referred to as the Great Wall.
The Great Wall has been rebuilt, maintained, and enhanced over various dynasties; the majority of the existing wall is from the Ming dynasty in the 14th to 17th century, (1368 to 1644 C.E).
The Great Wall of China stands as the first world wonder.
#2. Christ The Redeemer, Brazil 🇧🇷
Christ is a really popular figure in human history, and no wonder a statue has been erected in his honor — and as a matter of fact, a world wonder. You’re aware of Jesus openly welcoming you as you visit Rio.
The Christ the Redeemer statue is an artistic figure statue of Jesus Christ on the Corcovado mountain in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The construction of the Christ the Redeemer started in 1922 and was completed in 1931. It was developed by several artists and engineers from Europe, (French and Romanian), and of course, Brazil. The statue stands at a height of 30 meters (98 feet), excluding it’s 8 meters (26 feet) pedestal. The arms stretch 28 meters (92 feet) wide — which is quite proportional to it’s height as human anatomy. The statue of Christ in Rio is an iconic feature of Brazil, and probably the most wonderful statue known.
The Christ the Redeemer statue stands as the second world wonder.
#3. Machu Picchu, Peru 🇵🇪
This one is not really popular but indeed it is a wonder of the world. But if you know a little bit about South American history, you’ve then heard about the Incan civilization — that’s where the Machu Picchu originates.
The Machu Picchu is an Incan citadel in the Andes Mountains in Peru, high above the Urubamba River valley. The citadels were built in the 15th century C.E by people of the Incan civilization which was later abandoned. It’s renowned and popularly known for it’s sophisticated dry-stone walls that fuse huge blocks without the use of mortar, intriguing buildings that play on astronomical alignments and panoramic views. Its exact former use remains a mystery. Archaeologists believe that it was use by the Incans for ritual worship to their gods.
The Machu Picchu stands as the third world wonder.
#4. Chichén Itzá, Mexico 🇲🇽
The Mayan ruins as it is commonly called, is a major landmark in Mexico; and if you’re a fan of telenovelas, you’re probably aware of it in movies and novels. It’s no surprise that it’s earned a world wonder.
The Chichén Itzá is a complex of Mayan ruins, a pre-Columbian ancient city built by the Mayan civilization. It is located in the Tinúm Municipality, Yucatán State, on the Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico. The pre-Hispanic city of Chichén-Itzá is a massive step pyramid, also known as ‘El Castillo,’ or ‘Temple of Kukulcan,’ which dominates the ancient city, which thrived from around 600 C.E to the 1200s. Graphic stone carvings survive at structures like the ball court, Temple of the Warriors and the Wall of the Skulls. Nightly sound-and-light shows illuminate the buildings’ sophisticated geometry.
The Chichén Itzá or better still the Mayan ruins stands as the fourth world wonder.
#5. Roman Colosseum, Italy 🇮🇹
A fan of Romantic art knows better about the Colosseum. It also features a lot in Roman-based movies and stories. Probably in your history lessons in high school.
The Roman Colosseum, also known as the Flavian Amphitheatre, is an oval amphitheatre in the heart of Rome, Italy. Built of travertine, tuff, and brick-faced concrete, it’s the largest amphitheatre ever built. The Colosseum is situated at the Regio IV Templum Pacis (“Temple of Peace”) just east of the Roman Forum. It’s construction began under the emperor Vespasian in the 8th century in 72 C.E, and was completed in 80 C.E under his successor and heir Titus. Further modifications were made during the reign of Domitian (81 – 96 C.E). These three emperors are known as the Flavian dynasty, and the amphitheatre was named in Latin for it’s association with their family name Flavius.
The Roman Colosseum stands as the fifth world wonder.
#6. Taj Mahal, India 🇮🇳
India surely has to make this list. If not India, where else? The Taj Mahal mausoleum is best known in Bollywood movies and documentaries about India, of which you might be aware of.
The Taj Mahal is an ivory-white marble mausoleum of Mughal architectural design, on the south bank of the Yamuna river in the Indian city of Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India. Designed by the architect Ustad Ahmad Lahauri, it covers a surface area of 17 hectares, and stands at a height of 73 meters (240 feet). It was commissioned and built in the 17th century, from 1632 – 1653 C.E, by the Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan, to house the tomb of his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. It also houses the tomb of Shah Jahan, the builder. It receives 7 to 8 million visitors annually.
The Taj Mahal stands as the sixth world wonder.
#7. Petra, Jordan 🇯🇴
Last but not least is Petra, the wonder of the Arabian world. You probably know about Petra in classic Arabian movies, if not then it’s not so popular — but for the records, it’s a world wonder.
Petra also known as Al-Batrā in Arabic — was originally called Raqmu — is an ancient archaeological city located on the basin of Jabal Al-Madbah as part of the mountains of Arabah valley, stretching from the Dead Sea to the Gulf of Aqaba; about 185 kilometers (115 miles) southwest of Amman, Jordan. It was literally carved into red desert cliffs, and also called the ‘Rose City’ due to the color of the stone. The walls rise up to a height of 23 meters (75 feet) tall. It was established in the 4th century B.C.E as the capital city of the Nabataean Kingdom. Since 1985, it’s been a UNESCO World Heritage Site, being described as “one of the most precious cultural properties of man’s cultural heritage.”
Petra stands as the seventh world wonder.
These are the world wonders and where they are on Earth, a history about them and how amazing they really are. If you’re planning on a visit to any of these places, remember to send us a gift card.
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Written by: Nana Kwadwo, Sun, Dec 16, 2018.
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