“Once a year, go someplace you’ve never been before” – Dalai Lama
The 8 Wonders of the World are a collection of awe-inspiring structures and sights that have captivated and inspired generations of people across the globe. While the list of 8 Wonders of the World is sometimes different depending on who you ask, the following eight sites are generally considered to be the most iconic and impressive man-made and natural wonders of the world:
- The Great Pyramid of Giza – Egypt.
- The Great Wall of China – China.
- Petra – Jordan.
- Christ the Redeemer – Brazil.
- Machu Picchu – Peru.
- Chichen Itza – Mexico.
- Colosseum – Italy.
- Taj Mahal – India.
The Great Pyramid of Giza – Egypt.
The Great Pyramid of Giza, located in Egypt, is the oldest and largest of the three Ancient Egyptian pyramids of Giza. It is also the only one of the eight Wonders of the Ancient Worlds that is still standing today. It is estimated that the pyramid is made out an estimated of 2.3 million large blocks weighing 6 million tonnes in total. However, the majority of stones are not uniform in size or shape and are only roughly dressed. To some cultures, it is believed that this pyramid is part of the foundation and civilization of humankind. It is further said that the disciplines of science, literature, and belief-system of the world, were carved from Egypt.
The Great Wall of China – China.
The Great Wall of China is one of the most impressive feats of engineering in the world. The wall, which stretches over 5,500 miles, was built to protect the Chinese Empire from nomadic invasions and is considered one of the great wonders of the world. The wall is situated in Beijing China, Huairou District, China, 101406. The first emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang took the remnants of ancient fortifications, walls, and earthworks and linked them into a unified wall circa 220 B.C. It is said that as many as 400,000 people died during the wall’s construction; many of these workers were buried within the wall itself.
Petra – Jordan.
Petra is an ancient city carved into the sandstone cliffs of Jordan. It was once the capital of the Nabataean people, and its stunning rock-cut architecture is considered one of the most impressive archaeological sites in the world. It is one of the world’s most famous archaeological sites, where ancient Eastern traditions blend with Hellenistic architecture. Did you know that the Nabataeans are an Arab tribe that first appeared in the sixth century BC in the desert located to the east of Jordan and came from the southeast of the Arabian Peninsula? They settled first in Petra and subsequently expanded their territory to the Horan and Levant and finally, to Bosra.
Christ the Redeemer – Brazil
The iconic statue of Christ the Redeemer is located in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The statue, which stands at 98 feet tall, was built to honor the Catholic faith and is one of the most recognizable symbols of Brazil. The statue was created by French sculptor Paul Landowski and built by Brazilian engineer Heitor da Silva Costa, in collaboration with the French engineer Albert Caquot and Romanian sculptor Gheorghe Leonida sculpted the face. It is recorded that the construction of the statue took 9 years, starting in 1922 and finishing in 1931. Each year, this iconic structure is visited by over 1.5 million people from all over the world.
Machu Picchu – Peru.
Machu Picchu is an ancient Incan city located high in the Andes of Peru. Built in the 15th century, Machu Picchu is a marvel of engineering and architecture and is considered one of the most impressive archaeological sites in the world. This iconic site is more than 5,000 feet above sea level in the Andes Mountains. Machu Picchu was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 and was named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007 hence it is the most visited tourist destination in Peru.
Chichen Itza – Mexico.
Chichen Itza is an ancient Mayan city located on the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. It was one of the largest cities of the ancient Mayan civilization and is considered one of the most impressive archaeological sites in the world. Chichen Itza is located about 120 miles from the modern-day resort town of Cancun, on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. This place is regarded as a sacred place of divinity, a place of astrological reverence.
Colosseum – Italy.
The Colosseum in Rome, Italy, is one of the most iconic structures of the ancient world. Built by the Roman emperor Vespasian in 72 AD, the Colosseum was the largest amphitheater in the world and was used for gladiator fights, public spectacles, and other entertainment. Construction of the Colosseum began under the Roman emperor Vespasian between 70 and 72 CE. The completed structure was dedicated in 80 CE by Titus, Vespasian’s son, and successor. Colosseum had seating for more than 40,000 spectators which may have been arranged according to social status.
Taj Mahal – India
The Taj Mahal, located in India, is one of the most iconic and beautiful monuments in the world. Built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan as a tribute to his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, the Taj Mahal is considered one of the most impressive works of art in the world.
Material: White marble.
Cost of building: ~ 32 million Indian Rupees.
Architect: Ustad Ahmad Lahauri.
Location: Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Yearly visitors: 7-8 million people.
Entrance fee: 1000 Rupees for foreigners.
conclusion
The above wonders are not exhaustive however they are the most notable sites. Whenever you have an opportunity, please set your feet at one of these wonders and share your experience(s).