7 wonders of the world titles. Seven Wonders of the World
Seven Wonders of the Ancient World - a list of famous ancient monuments compiled by ancient historians and travelers, including the "father of history" Herodotus.
The list was repeatedly edited, and its classical version was formed 2.2 thousand years ago thanks to the efforts of Philo of Byzantium. The list of "Seven Wonders of the Ancient World" includes: the pyramid of Cheops, the "hanging gardens" of Babylon, the statue of Olympian Zeus, the temple of Artemis in Ephesus, the mausoleum in Halicarnassus, the Colossus of Rhodes and the lighthouse on about. Pharos in Alexandria.
Pyramid of Cheops, Egypt
Pyramid of Cheops, or Great Pyramid is the only one of the 7 wonders of the world that has survived to this day. The age of the building is 4500 years. 120 thousand Egyptians for 20 years in the sweat of their faces erected a grandiose pharaoh's tomb. The pyramid of Cheops is made up of 2.5 million blocks weighing 2.5 tons each. Without the use of cement and other fasteners, the blocks are so tightly fitted to each other that the gap between them does not exceed 0.5 mm. Initially, the pyramid had a height of 147 meters, but even today, when its top is destroyed, and the most high point is located at around 138 meters, the tomb of Cheops still makes a majestic impression. For almost 4000 years, until the XIV century AD, the Pyramid of Cheops bore the title of the highest building in the world.
Hanging Gardens of Babylon, Asia
Around 600 BC on the territory of modern Iraq, ancient Babylon was noisy. The city reached its peak under King Nebuchadnezzar II, who entered into a military alliance with his main enemy, Assyria, and became related to the Median king Cyaxares by marrying his daughter Amitis (Semiramide). For his wife, the king ordered to build the famous "hanging gardens". The gardens were located on a four-tiered platform, reminiscent of an ever-blooming green hill. The base of the terraces was built of stone blocks covered with a layer of reeds and filled with asphalt. Then there was a double layer of brick, even higher - lead plates to prevent seepage of irrigation water. A fertile layer of soil was laid on top of this structure, on which trees, palm trees, and flowers were grown. Magnificent gardens, raised to a great height, seemed like a real wonder of the world in sultry, dusty Babylonia.
Statue of Zeus, Olympia, Greece
In 435 BC. e. in Olympia - one of the sanctuaries of Ancient Greece - a majestic temple was built in honor of the ruler of the gods - Zeus. Inside the temple was placed a huge 20-meter statue of the Olympian god, seated on a throne. The sculpture was made of wood, on top of which ivory plates were glued, imitating the upper naked part of the body of Zeus. God's clothes and shoes are covered with gold. In his left hand, Zeus held a scepter with an eagle, and in his right hand, a statue of the goddess of victory.
Temple of Artemis, Ephesus, Turkey
The Temple of Artemis was built in 560 BC. King Croesus of Lydia in the city of Ephesus on the coast of Asia Minor. The huge white marble temple was framed by 127 columns 18 meters high. Inside was a statue of Artemis, the goddess of fertility, made of gold and ivory. In 356 BC. one conceited inhabitant of Ephesus, Herostratus, set fire to the temple, thus deciding to become famous and perpetuate his name. The Sanctuary of Artemis was rebuilt, but in 263 it was destroyed and plundered by the Goths.
Mausoleum in Halicarnassus, Turkey
The ruler of Caria, Mausolus, was still alive in 353 BC. began the construction of his own tomb in Halicarnassus (modern Bodrum, Turkey). The grandiose burial structure 46 meters high, girded with 36 columns and crowned with a statue of a chariot, made such a strong impression on contemporaries that since then all monumental tombs have been called mausoleums after King Mausolus.
Colossus of Rhodes, Greece
A giant statue of the ancient Greek sun god Helios was installed at the entrance to the port of Rhodes in 292-280. BC e .. A slender youth-god, sculpted in full growth, held a torch in his hand. Ships sailed between the legs of the statue. For only 65 years, the Colossus of Rhodes stood in its place: in 222 BC. it was destroyed by an earthquake. Fragments of the sculpture were transported on 900 camels.
Time is fleeting. Civilizations are changing, leaving behind a grandiose architectural heritage. Unfortunately, everything is subject to destruction, especially what has been built. human hands. That is why the ancient seven wonders of the world, the description of which is known to everyone culturally, for the most part, have not survived to our time. They were replaced by others that still exist. The seven wonders of the world of our time were chosen long enough and scrupulously. The result of this work were seven grandiose architectural structures famous all over the world.
Concept definition
What are the wonders of the world, and why did they get such a proud name? Why were they singled out among all the monumental works of the ancient world and modernity? And they are named so due to the fact that they are above the category of time. These monuments of architectural thought are admired now in the same way as they were admired in antiquity. There are legends about them.
Until recently, there were the ancient seven wonders of the world. The Pyramid of Cheops is the only one that has survived to this day. Others, such as hanging gardens or the Lighthouse of Alexandria, did not survive. They are known only from manuscripts, essays by contemporaries and paintings recreated from descriptions.
How the new list was chosen
Thus, it was necessary to elect new seven wonders of the world. Architectural monuments withstood a real competition (it was held by an independent organization "New Open World Corporation"). All modern means were involved, including the votes received both on the Internet and via SMS messages. 90 million people around the world voted for the monument that they considered the most worthy to bear such an honorary title. Thus, among several dozen applicants in 2007, seven wonders of the world of our time were chosen. We will describe each of them in more detail below. In the meantime, I would like to list those who were only a step away from the highest award. So, Red Square in Moscow, the Stonehenge building, the Eiffel Tower and the Acropolis in Greek Athens participated in the final.
It is noteworthy that the pyramids of Giza were also finalists in the competition, but the Egyptian authorities refused to participate in it. Most likely, they do not consider it possible for these architectural monuments to be included in the new seven wonders of the world, because they already appear in the ancient ones.
the great Wall of China
There are many legends and beliefs about how they built it. So, until now, many are sure that the people who worked on its construction are buried right inside the structure - this is not so. Although the fact that more than a million people died during construction is true.
So, the construction of the Great Wall of China originates in the III century BC. The emperors conceived its construction. The construction pursued many goals, the main of which were:
- protection of lands from nomadic tribes;
- the inadmissibility of the assimilation of foreigners with the Chinese nation;
Thus began the construction, which dragged on for centuries. The rulers changed: some treated the construction with disdain (the Manchu Qing dynasty), while others, on the contrary, carefully watched the construction.
It should be said that a significant part of the wall collapsed because it was not properly monitored. Only the site near Beijing was lucky - for a long time it served as a kind of gateway to the capital. Nevertheless, in the late eighties of the XX century, large-scale restoration work began, and in 1997 the Wall entered the seven wonders of the world of our time.
Why did she receive such an honorary title? This is the longest architectural structure in the world: the total length is 8851.8 kilometers. How was the Great Wall of China built, that they were able to reach such an unprecedented size? The process went on for millennia, systematically. However, it is worth saying that this is not a solid structure. There are gaps along the Wall. This is what allowed the great Genghis Khan to conquer China and rule it for 12 years. Every year, tens of millions of tourists visit this wonder of the world of our time.
Rio: Christ statue
Completely on the other side of the planet, in Rio de Janeiro stands the famous statue of Christ the Redeemer. He rises above the city, spreading his arms, as if embracing all the inhabitants and guests of the city of many millions.
The monument was built in honor of the centenary of the independence of Brazil. Truly chosen for its construction beautiful place: Mount Corcovado, from which, at a glance, you can see the whole of Rio, with its Sugar Loaf peak, famous beaches.
The whole country was collected for the construction: the magazine "O Cruzeiro" announced a subscription, the funds from which went to the construction of the monument. The project was entrusted to Silva Coste, although other options were proposed before him: for example, the arms of Christ, spread out like a crucifix, were proposed by K. Oswald, the artist.
Brazil at that time was a poor, non-industrial country, so it was impossible to implement such a large-scale project. France came to the rescue - it was there that the statue of Christ the Redeemer was made in detail. And then it was already transported to Brazil. The parts were delivered to the construction site by a small railway which is still in operation. Millions of tourists annually make an ascent to one of the most famous structures of our time.
Taj Mahal
In Agra, India, on the banks of the Jamna, the greatest palace-mausoleum of the Taj Mahal is located. This is the tomb of the wife of the great descendant of Tamerlane, Shah Jahan. The woman's name was Mumtaz Mahal, she died in childbirth.
The Taj Mahal in India is the pinnacle of the Mughal architectural style. It included a synthesis of the art of the Indians, Persians and Arabs. The most famous element of the structure is a huge snow-white dome. The mausoleum itself is made of white marble. It is a five-domed palace, which contains the tombs of both the Shah himself and his wife. It is noteworthy that the four minarets located at the edges are slightly inclined - this protects the tombs from destruction in case of earthquakes, which are not uncommon in India. A park with picturesque fountains and a lake adjoins the mausoleum itself. The Taj Mahal was built in 1653. 20 thousand builders managed such a large-scale project in 22 years.
The mausoleum itself, thanks to numerous visitors, brings considerable funds to the treasury of India.
Chichen Itza
The legendary Mayan city is located on the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. This is not an ordinary city - it served as the capital, political and religious center. Chichen Itza was built in the 7th century AD. Most of the buildings belong to the Mayan culture, some of them were erected by the Toltecs. At the end of the 12th century, there were no inhabitants left in Chichen Itza at all. This is one of the mysteries that has not yet been explained: either the Spaniards, who destroyed the Mayans during the invasion of Mexico, were responsible for everything, or everything happened naturally due to the decline in the economic situation of the capital.
In the territory ancient city at different times, several architectural structures were found. However, the most remarkable of them is the Chichen Itza pyramid. This is a kind of focus of the legendary knowledge of the Maya, their religious beliefs, the center of the cult. The 24-meter one has four sides, on which 9 steps are made. The stairs located on each side of the pyramid have 91 steps. If you add up their number, you get 364 plus one, leading to a small temple crowning the pyramid. It turns out 365 - the number of days in a year.
The balustrade along the edges of the stairs represents the body of a snake, whose head is at the base of the pyramid. It gives the impression that the snake is moving. And in the fall down, and in the spring up.
Ritual temples are located at the top of the pyramid and inside it. They were probably used for sacrifices.
Coliseum
The new seven wonders of the world of our time include European monuments. This is the famous Roman Colosseum. Its appearance is partly connected with the despotic rule of Nero. He, having committed suicide, left behind a grandiose palace with a lake in the very center of Rome. Vespasian, who came to power, decided to forever erase the cruel Nero from the memory of the people. It was decided to give the chic palace to imperial institutions, and to build a huge amphitheater on the site of the lake. And so the Colosseum was born. Initially, after the construction in 80, it was called the Flavian Amphitheater. Modern name the building received only in the VIII century, most likely because of its impressive size.
Initially, it was used to amuse the people with gladiator fights, baiting animals, etc. It even celebrated the 1000th anniversary of Rome. However, in the Middle Ages, due to the invasion of barbarian tribes, the Colosseum was partially destroyed; a powerful earthquake of the 14th century played an important role in this process. After the grandiose structure is taken away brick by brick for construction needs.
Only in the 18th century, Pope Benedict XIV began to protect the Colosseum as an important architectural object. Now it is a symbol of Rome, which is visited by a great many tourists from all over the world.
Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu - unique city South America, located at an altitude of almost 2500 thousand meters above sea level. The Spanish conquerors could not reach it, which is why the architecture of the ancient city remained untouched.
Machu Picchu was discovered only at the very beginning of the 20th century by a professor at Yale University. It is noteworthy that very little is known about the city, they do not know anything about the population, or about the purpose of construction, and so on. One thing is clear: Machu Picchu has a very clear structure and layout.
AT this moment is under protection. UNESCO has limited the number of daily visitors to 2,500.
Petra - the pearl of Jordan
City in the rock - this is how you can characterize another wonder of the world of the modern world, Jordanian Petra. The path to the city lies through natural gorges, which are the city walls. In ancient times, Petra was of great importance - it lay on the trade route between Damascus and the Red Sea region, as well as Gaza and the Persian Gulf. Trade city and lived.
The inhabitants of Petra were able not only to skillfully process stone, but also to collect water. In fact, the city has become an artificial oasis in the middle of the desert.
The main attraction that attracts tourists is Al-Khazneh. According to scientists, this is a temple-mausoleum. There are many legends associated with the building. According to some, this is the place where the pharaoh hid his wealth during the time of Moses, according to others, this is the repository of the loot looted by robbers.
Petra and its main temple are known to tourists all over the world from the film about the adventures of Indiana Jones.
There are many mysterious and mysterious places in the world. But only a few of them are recognized as genuine miracles, which were no longer equal on Earth! From this article you will find out which of the 7 wonders of the world have survived to this day, and which ones have sunk into oblivion forever. We present to your attention the 7 wonders of the world - the list consists of the following items:
This exclusive complex is included in the list of 7 wonders of the world. The basis of the gardens of Babylon was a monumental building in four tiers, erected in the shape of a pyramid. Hanging green spaces combined with fountains and ponds have turned it into a real oasis. According to an old legend, these gardens were created for the wife of the Babylonian ruler Nebuchadnezzar II named Amitis.
To keep the green miracle in a viable state, a large amount of water was required. The problem was solved at the expense of the human resource, or rather, slave labor. The slaves kept turning the wooden wheel, to which the skinskins were tied. This wheel took water from the river (according to another version - from some underground sources). Water was pumped to the uppermost tier, and from there it flowed down through a complex system of numerous channels.
After the death of the ruler Nebuchadnezzar, Babylon for some time became the residence of Alexander the Great. After the death of the great commander, the city began to gradually fall into disrepair, the gardens of Babylon were also left without proper care. After some time, a nearby river overflowed its banks, which led to the erosion of the foundation of the building.
Pyramid of Pharaoh Cheops
This now existing geographical feature, which is also included in the list of 7 wonders of the world, is sometimes called the Great Pyramid of Giza. It serves as the tomb of the Egyptian ruler Cheops (Khufu). The pyramid was built near Giza, a suburb of Cairo. It took the combined efforts of 100,000 people to create this miracle. According to the calculations of archaeologists, the work lasted about twenty years.
Zeus statue in Olympia
A truly monumental structure was erected in honor of the God of Thunder. The temple of Zeus was built entirely of marble, including even the roof. Around the perimeter of the sanctuary there were 34 columns made of limestone. The walls of the temple were covered with picturesque bas-reliefs with images, as well as the exploits of Hercules.
But not included in the list of 7 wonders of the world temple complex and a statue of Zeus. The ancient Greek sculptor Phidias worked on the realization of this masterpiece. The body of the god was created from ivory, a great variety of rare gems and about 200 kg of gold without the slightest admixture of ligature also took to decorate the statue. The eyes of the Thunderer seemed to be throwing lightning, and the head and shoulders shimmered with an unearthly light.
According to legend, lightning struck the center of the marble floor of the temple. This was regarded as an expression of approval from Zeus. An altar of copper was erected at the site of the blow. The statue of Zeus was destroyed in a fire that broke out in the temple in 425. There is another version, according to which it was transported to Istanbul, where the figure of the Thunderer burned down in 476.
The ancient city of Halicarnassus was famous for its residences of nobles, theaters and green gardens. But the list of 7 wonders of the world did not include these architectural beauties, but the tomb of the cruel ruler Mausolus. There were 3 levels in the mausoleum, the total height of the building was 46 meters. This man-made masterpiece mixed several architectural trends.
Traditional columns, as well as statues of horsemen and lions were used as decoration of the mausoleum. At the very top was a sculpture of King Mausolus, proudly seated in a horse-drawn chariot. The mausoleum stood for about 19 centuries, the reason for its destruction was a strong earthquake. An interesting fact - some fragments of the mausoleum went to the construction of the fortress of St. Peter.
faros lighthouse was built in the 3rd century BC, it is also included in the world famous list of 7 wonders of the world. This object was supposed to help sea vessels safely navigate coastal reefs and avoid shipwreck. During the day, sailors were led by a column of smoke, and at night they could focus on flames.
The lighthouse of Alexandria towered 120 meters above sea level, its signals could be seen at a distance of up to 48 km. The upper part of the structure was decorated with a statue of Isis-Faria, who was revered as the patroness of navigators. To make the light flow as efficient as possible, the builders used an original system of curved mirrors.
The Pharos lighthouse, like many other objects from the list of 7 wonders of the world, was destroyed in a rather trivial way. It was destroyed by a powerful earthquake that occurred in the middle of the 14th century. Some Fragments Lighthouse of Alexandria scientists discovered at the bottom of the sea during research in 1996.
The Colossus of Rhodes
This statue was made in honor of Helios (the sun god). It was assumed that the height of the figure would be 18 meters, but later it was decided to make it 36 meters. The statue in the form of a god-youth was cast in bronze; it is located on a marble pedestal. Construction was carried out on a hill created artificially. Stones were placed inside the figure, which was done to increase the stability of the structure.
The sculptor Hares, who worked on the Colossus of Rhodes, made a miscalculation in determining the amount of materials needed. The master had to borrow a lot of money to be able to complete his masterpiece. Hares was completely ruined and surrounded by creditors, the sculptor committed suicide.
The Colossus of Rhodes was destroyed by an earthquake that occurred in 222 or 226 BC. The statue broke at the knees, and its fragments continued to lie in place for about 1000 years. The fragments of the Colossus were sold by the Arabs who captured Rhodes in 977. To take out parts of the sculpture, it was necessary to equip a caravan consisting of 900 camels.
By the way, have you ever wondered why there are only seven wonders of the world? In this case, we recommend that you read the article "" - and you will discover the secret meaning of this "lucky" number!
For a long time, sages and travelers made a list of 7 wonders of the world, they added the most beautiful and most majestic buildings of the whole world in their opinion.
Initially, in the 5th century BC. There were only 3 wonders of the world on the list. After that, in the 3rd century BC, thanks to the poem of Antipater from Sidon, 4 more wonders of the world were added to the list and so the list was named 7 wonders of the world.
The list of the seven ancient wonders of the world includes the most famous monuments art of the ancient world. For their beauty, uniqueness and technical complexity, they were called miracles.
The list has changed over time, but the number of miracles included in it has remained unchanged. According to some versions, the ancient Greek engineer and mathematician Philo of Byzantium, who lived in the 3rd century BC, is considered the author of the classic version of the list. e.
1. Egyptian pyramids
The Egyptian pyramids top the list of the Ancient Seven Wonders of the World, which is not surprising, since they are the only wonders of the world that have survived to this day. These stone structures became the greatest monuments of ancient Egyptian architecture. They served as tombs for the Egyptian pharaohs and were supposed to provide eternal housing for the immortal spirit of the rulers. The period of construction of the pyramids refers to the II-III millennium BC. During this time, more than a hundred of these structures were built. The largest of them is the pyramid of Cheops. Its original height was 146.6 m, and the length of the side face was 230.33 m. However, time and earthquakes have somewhat changed its appearance, and by now the height of this majestic structure reaches only 138.8 m, and the length of the side face is ~ 225 m .other Egyptian pyramids significantly inferior to it in size.
The Hanging Gardens were built in 600 BC. by order of the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar II. It is believed that this was done to entertain his wife, who longed for the greenery of her homeland in dusty Babylon. The Hanging Gardens were a four-tiered pyramid, outwardly resembling a flowering hill. The lower tier is an irregular quadrangle, the smallest side of which was 34 m, the largest - 42 m. The tiers were supported by columns, the height of which reached 25 m. Each tier was covered with a layer of fertile soil on which various plants could be planted.
Although the wife of the Babylonian king was called Amitas, the name of the Hanging Gardens is traditionally associated with the name of the legendary Assyrian ruler Semiramis.
The famous statue of Zeus, the supreme god of the ancient Greek pantheon, was created by the great sculptor and architect Phidias. It was intended for the temple of Zeus, located in Olympia - the city in which the Olympic Games. The frame of the statue was made of wood, on which ivory plates imitating naked skin were pasted. Hair, beard, wreath, clothes and shoes were made of gold, and eyes were made of precious stones. In his right hand, Zeus held Nike, the goddess of victory, also made of ivory and gold.
In 393, the Roman emperor Theodosius I banned the Olympic Games as a pagan event. At the beginning of the 5th century, the statue of Zeus was transported to Constantinople, where after some time it died in a fire.
4. Temple of Artemis at Ephesus
In 550 BC, in the city of Ephesus, located in Asia Minor, the construction of a temple dedicated to the goddess Artemis was completed. It was a large white stone building, but history has not preserved it. detailed description. In 356 BC a resident of Ephesus named Herostratus burned it in order to glorify his name. However, by the beginning of the 3rd century A.D. e. A new one was built on the site of the burnt church. The second temple of Artemis was larger than the previous one. Its width was 51 m, and its length was 105 m. The roof of the temple was supported by 127 18-meter columns installed in 8 rows. Inside the temple were installed statues of its builders - Praxiteles and Skopas.
At the end of the 4th century AD, the temple was closed by order of the Roman emperor Theodosius I, and then partially dismantled for new buildings.
This tomb was built in the middle of the 4th century BC. e. in the city of Halicarnassus, located on the territory of modern Turkey. It became a tomb for King Mausolus, the ruler of one of the regions of Asia Minor, and was named after him as a mausoleum. The tomb of Mausolus is a brick building lined with white marble. The Roman writer and historian Pliny the Elder claimed that the length of this structure was 60 m, and the height was 46 m.
This mausoleum existed for almost two thousand years and was finally destroyed only in the 16th century, when the knights of St. John dismantled its remains for the construction of a fortress.
In the III century BC, this giant statue was installed on Greek island Rhodes. Work on it lasted about 20 years. The result was a clay statue with a metal frame, trimmed with bronze sheets and depicting the sun god Helios. The height of this colossus, standing on a white marble pedestal, almost reached 36 m. About 13 tons of bronze and 8 tons of iron were spent on its manufacture.
The Colossus of Rhodes stood in its place for only 56 years. As a result of what happened in 222 BC. earthquake, he broke at the knees and fell. This is where the expression "colossus with feet of clay" comes from. In 977 A.D. e. what was left of the statue was sold to merchants. According to the chronicles, the wreckage was enough to load 900 camels with them. As one of the Colossi of Rhodes, it was first mentioned by the ancient Greek author Philo of Byzantium.
7.
Around 280 BC, on the small Mediterranean island of Pharos, located near the port of Alexandria, the construction of the world's first lighthouse was completed. This work took about 20 years. The height of the lighthouse of Alexandria was 135 m, and the light from it was visible at a distance exceeding 60 km. At the top of the lighthouse, a fire burned constantly, the light from which was directed into the sea with the help of polished bronze plates. During the day, a column of smoke served as a guide for sailors.
In the 12th century A.D. e. The bay of Alexandria was no longer used due to silt filling, and the Pharos lighthouse lost its significance. In the XIV century, it was damaged by an earthquake, and then dismantled by Muslims to build a fortress.
About the legendary 7 wonders of the world - the greatest creations of mankind - everyone definitely heard in childhood, even if not everyone can remember them in order. And although most of the monuments from the history textbook can no longer be seen, people managed to compile many other, alternative, lists of outstanding sights that have survived to this day, to the delight of tourists.
ancient wonders of the world
The first attempts to single out the exceptional achievements of mankind in the list of wonders of the world took shape in the written heritage of ancient Greek authors, starting from the Hellenistic era. The "selection" of the main monuments of all times took place gradually.
So, one of the first historical list of "miracles" was Herodotus: in his "History" we are talking about three grandiose structures on the island of Samos - a mountain tunnel, a dam and a temple of Hera.
Soon, other thinkers added to the list up to seven sights: the seven in ancient Greece was considered a holy figure, was an indispensable attribute of the solar gods and myths about them.
The classic "7 Wonders of the World" of the Ancient World, familiar to many from the school curriculum, is historically associated with the empire of Alexander the Great - the second half of the 4th century BC. e. Of these, two sights were ancient Egyptian, four were located in the territories Ancient Greece and one in Mesopotamia (more precisely, in Babylon).
The Pyramid of Cheops is the oldest, the first wonder of the world and the only one that has survived to this day. It is part of the Giza Pyramid Complex, the main attraction of Egypt.
The legendary Babylonian Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the second wonder of the world, supposedly existed from the end of the 7th century BC. e. until the 1st century BC e., destroyed by floods.
The temple statue of Zeus at Olympia, reaching about 12-17 meters along with the pedestal, was made of ivory, ebony and gold, stood for about nine centuries: from 435 BC. e. before the 5th century, it burned down in a fire.
The ruins of the fourth wonder of the world, Artemis in Ephesus (from the 6th to the 4th or 3rd century BC), are now part of the Turkish city of Selçuk (near Izmir).
Of the lost sights, the most persistent was the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus. Non-standard for the middle of the IV century BC. e. the architectural monument existed for 19 centuries: destroyed by an earthquake, then partially dismantled for building materials. The ruins of the mausoleum can be seen in Bodrum, Turkey - this is the name of the city with the historical location of the fifth wonder of the world.
Earthquakes caused the death of two more ancient wonders: the bronze statue of the Colossus on the island of Rhodes (it stood for only 65 years, destroyed in the same III century BC) and the Lighthouse of Alexandria in Egypt (the seventh wonder of the world, collapsed in the XIV century).
Panorama Google Maps "At the foot of the pyramid of Cheops (Khufu)"
New seven wonders of the world
The list of new wonders of the world, each of which continues to amaze tourists, was compiled in the first decade of the 21st century, in 2001-2007. Currently, these are the most famous of these ratings and therefore, along with the list world heritage UNESCO, the main must see landmark for tourists actively traveling around the world. It was compiled by a specially created non-profit foundation The New 7 Wonders of the world based on international voting using the Internet and other means of communication. About 100 million votes were accepted as part of the selection of attractions, but since the conditions allowed for multiple votes, this list became questionable almost immediately after publication.
One of the undisputed leaders of the list is the Great Wall of China. It stretched across the north of the country for almost 9 thousand kilometers, and taking into account the ruins - more than 20 thousand kilometers. The most famous landmark of China is organically inscribed in the landscape and is a truly impressive sight. Several sites are open for tourists. The most popular is Badaling, connected by transport to Beijing.
The ancient Colosseum is an iconic landmark of Rome, its signature silhouette. This amphitheater, a masterpiece of architectural thought of the 1st century AD, almost immediately after its creation was proclaimed a wonder of the world in the list of the Roman poet Martial, his contemporary.
The symbol of Rio de Janeiro - the statue of Christ the Redeemer on Mount Corcovado - blesses the city, stretching out his hands over it from a height. At night, the illuminated figure of Christ is clearly visible from almost any part of the city, but the best view of it appears from the Pan de Azucar mountain. In the list of the new 7 wonders of the world, the statue, erected in honor of the century of independence of Brazil, is the youngest attraction, its age is less than a hundred years.
Lost in the middle of the desert in Jordan, Petra, the capital of the ancient kingdoms of Idumea and Nabatea, was opened to Europeans only in the 19th century. The main attractions of Petra, the “stone city”, are the crypts carved into the rocks of red sandstone and the rock temple of El Deir.
The pearl of Muslim architectural art in India is the mausoleum-mosque Taj Mahal in Agra, built in the 17th century at the behest of the king Shah Jahan in memory of his third wife Mumtaz Mahal, who died in childbirth. It is not surprising that today the Taj Mahal is considered not only an outstanding architectural and spiritual monument, but also a symbol of love. Every year the marble complex becomes a place of pilgrimage for millions of people from all over the world.
The Lost Inca City of Machu Picchu is located in what is now Peru. This sixth new wonder of the world was created as a sacred mountain retreat during the Inca rule of Pachacutec in the middle of the 15th century. However, the mountainous city remained inhabited for less than a century - until the invasion of the Spaniards, who, however, never reached it. world opening Inca "city among the clouds" occurred only in 1911. Many mysteries of Machu Picchu have remained unsolved, and they still haunt researchers.
The list of modern wonders of the world is completed by the legacy of the Maya, another lost civilization of America. holy city Chichen Itza in the north of the Yucatan Peninsula was founded around the 7th century AD, later the Toltecs who captured it contributed to the architecture of the complex. It is not known exactly why such a developed city was deserted at the end of the 12th century. The complex of surviving monuments of Chichen Itza includes pyramid temples, gaming "stadiums", ruins of colonnades, a well of sacrifices and an observatory.
