Wonders of the World

Some of the ancient seven wonders of the world included the most famous – Pyramids of Giza, Gardens of Babylon, and so on. Today, we have a revamped set of wonders that was initially proposed by Philo of Byzantium in 250 B.C. The modern additions to the wonders of the world, are commonly known as the ‘New Seven Wonders of the World.’

The new list was initiated by the ‘New 7 Wonders Foundation,’ a swiss company that put up an online contest that received over tens and millions of participation from people from across the world.

The modern wonders also happen to be the most visited attractions by tourists and are architectural wonders that cannot be undermined. Find a brief description of the ‘New Seven Wonders of the World,’ below. 

The Great Wall, China

Built over a period of over 1800 years, The Great Wall of China,’ has continued to be the National symbol of China for years together. A combination of overlapping walls, stretching across mountain passes, is what contributes to the construction of this wall. It is estimated that all of the layers of the wall would amount to about 10,000 to 20,000 kilometers. The preserved portion of the ‘Great Wall,’ runs east to west and remains an architectural marvel even to this date.

The Taj Mahal, India

The ‘Taj Mahal,’ reflects the incredible achievement of the Mughal emperor – Shah Jahan; as a reflection of love for his dear wife – Mumtaz Mahal. The building is said to have taken 16 years to near completion, with a workforce of about 20,000 workers. Taj Mahal is a depiction of the architectural excellence of the Mughal period – with symmetry and balance being of utmost importance. The recent years have focused entirely on the restoration of the monument, which has eroded over the years due to uncontrollable pollution scales. 

Petra, Jordan

Located in a strategic spot, used by early traders as a spice and silk trade route – the ‘City of Petra,’ was built by the ‘Nabateans,’ after having lived in the valley for over 400 years. This city has faced drastic amounts of erosion and massive flooding across the ‘Wadi Musa,’ region due to excessive winds and rain. Though the city has found itself in the new list, the number of tourists and visitors to the city has dramatically decreased – due to the violence and unpredictability that lies with Middle Eastern politics. 

The Colosseum, Italy

A true escapade into Roman culture and history is what ‘The Colosseum,’ rightly depicts through its insane architecture. It is a testament to the innovation and skills of the Roman empire. The structure used to be an amphitheater – made for the sole purpose of public executions, gladiator games, and a number of hunting shows. The Colosseum was also used as a housing complex for a long period of time after the Roman empire had fallen. Today, it’s unfortunate to know that only one-third of the Colosseum remains -due to the mining and earthquakes that the structure has fallen prey to. A wide array of restoration efforts have been made, to preserve this architectural excellence and ensure the facade surrounding the structure remains intact. 

The iconic structure witnesses about 6 million tourists every single year and remains the most popular tourist attraction in Rome. Though initially, the ‘colosseum was used as a spectacle by 1000’s of people to view the ‘Bread and Circus,’ during that time – today the famous – ‘Way of the Cross Procession,’ is led by the Pope of Rome within the colosseum. It would be best for tourists to buy the skip the line tickets to the structure, in order to avoid the mass crowds that flood the place during the day. It is also advisable to reach the structure early in the morning and avoid queues.

Christ the Redeemer, Brazil

The most famous ‘Christ the Redeemer Statue,’ was constructed in the early 20th century for the Brazilian catholic population by the early Catholic Church. The statue is made of reinforced concrete, stands at a height of about 125 feet, and weighs about 1,145 tons. The statue is regarded as the ‘Largest Art Deco Sculpture,’ to be found anywhere in the world. 

Through the years, the state has been subject to erosion, as it is located on top of a 710-meter high mountain – thus leaving it vulnerable to weather of all sorts. The greatest challenges faced by architects remain matching the exact color of the statue, with its stone tiles that number about six million in the count. 

Chichén Itzá, Mexico

An ancient city that flourished up until around 1200 A.D, the ‘Chichén Itzá,’ was a Maya city that formed a small part of the Maya-Toltec civilization. Following its abandonment, multiple restoration and excavations have taken place as early as the 19th century. The ruins that remain today are a representation of the innovation and skills of the Maya period. 

The renowned skills and architecture of the Maya period cannot be undermined and remains a great testament even to this day.

Machu Picchu, Peru

Initially built as a royal retreat for the great Incan emperor – Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui, the ‘Machu Picchu,’ was intended to be a pre-Columbian Incan settlement and not to be visited by large crowds of people. Though it remained in use up until the mid 16th century, the ‘Machu Picchu,’ was later abandoned for reasons that are unknown to date. 

Archaeological evidence over the decades depicts how the architecture surrounding the place has been effectively integrated to use the natural terrain. Tourists can make their way up and explore the ‘Machu Picchu,’ either by train or they could follow the ‘Incan trail,’ and hike their way through.

Wondering where to begin? Check out some of Pickyourtrail’s amazing Holiday Packages today and get connected with our destination experts, who can not only customize your package but also extend an array of services, special offers, and much more. 

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