The Seven Wonders of the World

The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World 

The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World were listed by Ancient Greek explorers and historians in the 2^nd century BC. The main purpose of the listing was to select the seven most impressive and remarkable buildings created by humans. The selection criteria were: dimensions and size, engineering and construction techniques, aesthetic and artistic value, and impact on civilization.

1) Great Pyramid of Giza 

The pyramid also known as the “Great Pyramid” and “Pyramid of Khufu” is located in

Egypt. The pyramid, which was built for the Egyptian pharaoh, still keeps its mystery. 

2) Hanging Gardens of Babylon 

According to a legend, Babylon’s king built the gardens for his homesick wife. This engineering marvel, which is still hiding its secrets, is located in the ancient city of Babylon in present-day Iraq. 

3) Temple of Artemis 

Lydia’s king, Croesus, laid the foundations of the Temple of Artemis. The construction of the Temple of Artemis, which was dedicated to the goddess Artemis, continued for more than 120 years and was completed in 550 BC. The temple is located in Izmir, Türkiye. 

4) Statue of Zeus 

This statue is located in one of the most historically and culturally important cities, Olympia. The statue was built by Phidias and it was 13 meters tall.  

5) Colossus of Rhodes 

The Colossus of Rhodes was built in one of the biggest commercial centers. The colossus symbolized the sun god, Helios, and was 32 meters tall. The construction of the Colossus of Rhodes continued for 12 years and was completed in 282 BC. 

6) Lighthouse of Alexandria 

The lighthouse, which was built in Alexandria around 300 BC, was the tallest lighthouse in the ancient world. Sostratus of Cnidus was the architect of the lighthouse, which was approximately 135 meters tall. 

7) Mausoleum at Halicarnassus 

The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, which was built as a monumental tomb for the sister and wife of the King of Caria, is located in the city of Bodrum, Türkiye. The mausoleum was inspired by Egyptian architecture with its pyramid-shaped roof and by Greek architecture with its columns. Even though the mausoleum collapsed over time, its remains are displayed in a museum in Bodrum. 

The New Seven Wonders of the World 

The New Seven Wonders of the World was listed through a Switzerland-centered global voting campaign in the early 2000s. The main purpose was to replace the ancient wonders due to their destruction, except for the Great Pyramid of Giza. There were more than 200 candidates. 

1) Great Wall of China 

The main purpose of the Great Wall of China was to prevent invasions and to protect the

borders. The construction of the wall, which is one of the longest man-made structures in the world, began in the 7^th century BC. The Great Wall of China extends across northern China and is said to be approximately 21,196 kilometers long. 

2) Petra 

The ancient city of Petra, which has a history of more than 2,000 years, is also known as the “Rose City”. The city was built by carving into limestone cliffs. The ancient city of Petra, which covers an area of approximately 100 square kilometers, was built by the Nabataeans. 

3) Christ The Redeemer 

The sculpture was built as a symbol of Christianity and peace and was completed in 1931. The statue, which is 30 meters tall, was designed to represent Jesus Christ overlooking the city. Christ the Redeemer, which has become a symbol of Rio de Janeiro, was built on Corcovado Mountain. 

4) Machu Picchu 

The ancient city, which was built by the Inka emperor Pachacuti, still welcomes visitors in

Peru. Machu Picchu was constructed using advanced stone-cutting techniques without the use of mortar. The city is located at an altitude of approximately 2,430 meters above sea level. 

5) Chichén Itzá 

Before Christopher Colombus explored America, Chichén Itzá was an important city of the Maya civilization. It is believed that Chichén Itzá was built between the years 700 and 900. Today, the site is an archaeological area in Mexico. 

6) Colosseum 

The main purpose of the Colosseum was to host public events and sporting activities. The Colosseum, which is located in the city of Rome, Italy, was used as an arena in ancient times.  

7) Taj Mahal 

The Taj Mahal, which has a tragic and romantic story, is located in the city of Agra, India. 

The construction of this fascinating

building continued for 23 years. The monument was built as a monumental tomb. The Taj Mahal, which is located on the banks of the Yamuna River, is approximately 74 meters tall. It was built after the death of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan’s wife. Therefore, the Taj Mahal symbolizes the love and loyalty between Shah Jahan and his wife. 

Overall, these are all wonders of the world. Which would you rather visit?