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8 Wonders of the World
Akansha Akshara
Updated on 25th June, 2024 , 6 min read
Beauty, art, and history have fascinated human beings for ages. These three aspects come together to be renowend as the marvels which are called ‘8 Wonders of the World’. These are the most exceptional creations of either mother nature or human beings. The table below lists the ‘8 Wonders of the World’:
| Wonders | Location |
| Great Wall of China | China |
| Chichen Itza | Ma'an, Jordan |
| Petra | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil |
| Machu Picchu | Urubamba Province, Peru |
| Christ the Redeemer | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil |
| Colosseum | Rome, Italy |
| Taj Mahal | Agra, India |
| Angkor Wat | Cambodia |
The Great Wall of China
Stretching through the entire of North China from east to west, the Great Wall of China is symbolic of China's timeless history and cultural legacy. The fortifications were built with the purpose of protecting from nomadic tribes belonging to the Eurasian Steppe. Started construction in 7th century BC, it's particular stretches have been completed by different dynasties. The Qin wall constructed by Qin Shi Huang (220-206 BC) barely remains. The best stretches of the wall were constructed during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).
Constructed with the primary purpose of defense, it also served the need of border controls. Due to its construction regulation of trade by implementing taxation on goods along the Silk Road was possible along with control of immigration and emigration. The Wall was also a transportation path with watchtowers, garrisons, barracks, and signaling systems. The Wall stretches from Liaodong in the east to Lop Lake in the west and covers 21,196.18km. It is among the most remarkable architectural constructions in ancient history.
Chichén Itzá
Chichén Itzá, was built during the Terminal Classic period by the Maya and is a major pre-Columbian city. It is located in Tinúm Municipality, Yucatán State, Mexico. From AD 600 to 1200 it remained a significant center in the Northern Maya Lowlands. The site is famous for its diverse architectural styles, molded by local Maya traditions as well as central Mexican cultures, due to cultural diffusion instead of direct migration.
Being one of the largest Maya cities, Chichén Itzá could have been one of the mythical great cities, or Tollans, which have been mentioned in Mesoamerican literature. Before being purchased by the state of Yucatán in 2010, the land was privately owned. In current times, the ruins are federally owned and managed by Mexico's National Institute of Anthropology and History. It is also a famous tourist attraction, visited by over 2.6 million tourists in 2017.
Petra
The ancient city of Petra in southern Jordan is popular for its extraordinary rock-cut architecture and advanced water system. Initially built by the Nabataeans but later occupied by the Romans, Petra became a significant trading center because of its strategic location along trade routes. During the 1st century AD, it had a population of about 20,000 people. It was taken over by the Romans in 106 AD and also suffered a destructive earthquake in 362 AD.
Eventually, it declined and was abandoned during the early Islamic period. It was rediscovered in 1812 by the Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt before which it was hidden from the Western world. In 1985 it was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In 2007, it was celebrated as the New 8 Wonders of the World. It is Jordan's most visited tourist attraction. After the COVID-19 era, tourism to Petra began once again and had 9,05,000 visitors in 2022.
Machu Picchu
The ancient Inca citadel Machu Picchu is located in the Andes Mountains of Peru and is famous for its extraordinary stone architecture and strategic mountain ridge location. It stands at 2,430 meters high above sea level. It features the Temple of the Sun and the Intihuatana stone, which are believed to possess astronomical importance. It was built around 1450 AD during the reign of the Inca emperor Pachacuti and was a royal estate as well as a religious center.
Though grand, it was abandoned after a century probably because of the Spanish conquest, and was only discovered in 1911 by the explorer Hiram Bingham. Labelled as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 and the New Eight Wonders of the World in 2007, it wields historical importance, scenic beauty, and cultural significance. It symbolizes Inca heritage and its advanced architectural and astronomical knowledge.
Christ the Redeemer
The iconic Art Deco statue of Jesus Christ in Rio de Janeiro is known as Christ the Redeemer. Sculpted by the French-Polish sculptorPaul Landowski and brought to reality by the Brazilian engineer Heitor da Silva Costa in collaboration with French engineer Albert Caquot and Romanian Sculptor Gheorghe Leonida, it stands 30 meters tall on an 8-meter platform. Made of reinforced concrete and soapstone, the statue's arms span 28 meters wide.
Built between 1922 and 1931 on the Corcovado mountain peak in Tijuca National Park, it oversees Rio de Janeiro from its 700-meter height. It was initially supposed to have another design but now it is designed with arms outstretched wide, which symbolizes peace. It is the largest Art Deco sculpture in the world and weighs 635 metric tons. Universally, it symbolizes Christianity and is a cultural icon of Brazil. It represents religious devotion and architectural excellence.
Colosseum
In the center of Rome, Italy, the ancient and largest amphitheater - the Colosseum is located. Its construction started in 72 AD in the reign of Emperor Vespasian and ended in 80 AD during the reign of his successor Titus. Emperor Domitian modified it later on. Since these three emperors are called the Flavian dynasty, the Colosseum was originally named as the Flavian Amphitheater. It is constructed from travertine limestone, brick-faced concrete, and volcanic rock. It used to hold an audience strength of 50,000 to 80,000, with an average of 65,000.
In ancient times, it staged gladiatorial contests, executions, dramas, animal hunts, and battle re-enactments. Damaged by earthquakes and stone theft, the Colosseum represents Imperial Rome and is among Rome's top tourist spots. It is also engraved on Italy's 5 euro cent coin. It is now linked to the Catholic Church as every Good Friday, the Pope leads a torchlit “Way of the Cross” procession around the Colosseum.
Taj Mahal
Built on the banks of the Yamuna River, the Taj Mahal also once known as the ‘Crown of the Palace’ is a beautiful white marble mausoleum in Agra, India. It was built in 1631 on the commission of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in honour of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. The emperor's tomb also resides in the Taj Mahal. It is spread over 42-acre along with a mosque, a guest house, and gardens. Its construction was completed in 1648 while the entire complex was built by 1653. Costing about INR 5 million in that era, it was built by 20,000 workers and artisans led by architect Ustad Ahmad Lahori.
It is an excellent example of Indo-Islamic and Mughal architectural styles. Featured to be a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 and recognized as one of the 8 Wonders of the World it attracts 5 million visitors per year.
Angkor Wat
This massive temple complex located in Cambodia covers 402 acres is the largest religious structure across the world. During the 12th century, Angkor Wat was initially constructed by Khmer king Suryavarman II as a Hindu temple dedicated to Vishnu. It was made a Buddhist temple later on. The Angkor Wat is situated in the ancient capital of Angkor and represents Mount Meru mentioned in the Hindu mythology while being surrounded by a large moat. It includes three rectangular galleries which rise above each other along with a central group of five towers. It is built facing the west unlike most temples.
The temple went through a restoration during the 20th century with support from international organizations. It is popular for the several deities carvings on its walls, intricate bas-reliefs, and brilliant architecture. Celebrated as a UNESCO Heritage Site in 1992 is Cambodia's national symbol and even appears on the national flag. It attracts over 2.5 million tourists yearly.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the 8th Wonder of the World?
The 8th Wonder of the World is Angkor Wat which is a massive temple complex located in Cambodia and covers 402 acres making it the largest religious structure across the world. During the 12th century, Angkor Wat was initially constructed by Khmer king Suryavarman II as a Hindu temple dedicated to Vishnu. The temple went through a restoration during the 20th century with support from international organizations. It is popular for the several deities carvings on its walls, intricate bas-reliefs, and brilliant architecture. Celebrated as a UNESCO Heritage Site in 1992 is Cambodia's national symbol and even appears on the national flag. It attracts over 2.5 million tourists yearly.
Where is Taj Mahal located?
Built on the banks of the Yamuna River, the Taj Mahal also once known as the ‘Crown of the Palace’ is a beautiful white marble mausoleum in Agra, India. It was built in 1631 on the commission of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in honour of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. The emperor's tomb also resides in the Taj Mahal. It is spread over 42-acre along with a mosque, a guest house, and gardens. Its construction was completed in 1648 while the entire complex was built by 1653. Costing about INR 5 million in that era, it was built by 20,000 workers and artisans led by architect Ustad Ahmad Lahori.
Which of the 8 Wonders of the World is located in Rome?
In the center of Rome, Italy, the ancient and largest amphitheater - the Colosseum is located. Colosseum was originally named as the Flavian Amphitheater. It is constructed from travertine limestone, brick-faced concrete, and volcanic rock. It used to hold an audience strength of 50,000 to 80,000, with an average of 65,000. In ancient times, it staged gladiatorial contests, executions, dramas, animal hunts, and battle re-enactments. Damaged by earthquakes and stone theft, the Colosseum represents Imperial Rome and is among Rome's top tourist spots. It is also engraved on Italy's 5 euro cent coin.
Where is the Christ the Redeemer located?
The iconic Art Deco statue of Jesus Christ is located in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Built between 1922 and 1931 on the Corcovado mountain peak in Tijuca National Park, it oversees Rio de Janeiro from its 700-meter height. It was initially supposed to have another design but now it is designed with arms outstretched wide, which symbolizes peace. It is the largest Art Deco sculpture in the world and weighs 635 metric tons.
What are the 8 Wonders of the World?
The 8 Wonders of the World are Great Wall of China, Chichen Itza, Petra, Machu Picchu, Christ the Redeemer, Colosseum, Taj Mahal, and Angkor Wat.