You've heard of 'The 7 Wonders', but do you know how they came to be?
Newly compiled through a 2006 campaign, ‘The New 7 Wonders of the World’ consist of 7 breathtaking monuments that represent our global heritage. To establish the lineup, the New 7 Wonders Foundation, a non-profit organisation founded in 2001, devised a criteria that took several factors into consideration: time span, geographic dimension, artistic and cultural value, diversity, and so on.
In no particular order, the New 7 Wonders are: Machu Picchu (Peru), Chichén Itzá (Mexico), Roman Colosseum (Italy), Christ the Redeemer (Brazil), The Great Wall of China (China), The Taj Mahal (India) and The City of Petra (Jordan).
1. Machu Picchu
Located in the Andes Mountains in Peru, Machu Picchu is an Incan citadel constructed at the height of the Inca Empire to serve as a royal estate for Pachachuti, the first Inca emperor. Archaeologists believe that the site was used as a sacred place of worship, an astronomical observatory, as well as a place of retreat for the emperor’s family. One of the site’s most notable architectural features is the walls consisting of carefully-fitting individual stones as opposed to being shaped into similar units, which was achieved through a laborious process of carving each individual stone to create a specific shape.
2. Chichén Itzá
Chichén Itzá is one of the most remarkable examples of Mayan architecture. By roughly 600 A.D, Chichen Itza was one of the largest populated Mayan cities, as well as a center of political and economic power. Among all of the impressive structures at Chichen Itza, El Castillo - "the castle" - embodies Mayan myth in a way like no other. Historians believe that certain architectural features of Chichen Itza demonstrate the astronomical beliefs of the Mayans, such as using the patterns of light on the stone walls to track seasons and time.
3. Roman Colosseum
The Roman Colosseum, also known as the ‘Flavian Amphitheatre’, is a giant amphitheatre that was commissioned by Emperor Vespasian as a gift to the Roman people. Primarily used for events such as gladiatorial games, the arena had seating for over 50,000 spectators and was officially opened to the public in A.D. 80. Although the Colosseum was actively used for four centuries, it was eventually neglected due to the gradual shift in public interest. A series of earthquakes and lightning led to the unfortunate damage of about two-thirds of the structure.
4. Christ the Redeemer
Christ the Redeemer, one of the world’s most renowned statues, stands tall at a height of 38 metres in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. In 1850, Vincentian priest Pedro Maria Boss first proposed the idea to build a Christian monument on Mount Corcovado (where the statue is currently situated), but was rejected and dismissed due to the division of religion in Brazil at the time. The idea was put forth once again 70 years later by The Catholic Circle of Rio, and the project was funded by the Catholic community in Brazil. Even today, Christ the Redeemer remains a global symbol of christianity.
5. The Great Wall of China
The Great Wall of China, as many may already know, is a series of walls built over centuries for the primary purpose of defending against invasions. Although the wall never succeeded in carrying out its original purpose, it is one of the most infamous structures in the world today. The Great Wall stretches across more than 13,000 miles (over half the length of the equator!), and across 15 different provinces in China.
6. The Taj Mahal
In contrast to its sophisticated exterior, many are surprised to find out that the Taj Mahal was originally built as a tomb by a Mughal emperor for his wife. The Taj Mahal’s perfect symmetry demonstrates a sense of peace and harmony, and an optical illusion is incorporated in its design so it is perceived to be bigger than it is. Its four minarets (towers) of equal height serve to protect the tomb against natural disasters. The site was designated a UNESCO world heritage site in 1983, prior to being voted as one of the seven wonders.
7. The City of Petra
The City of Petra, also known as the “Lost City” or the “Rose City”, is an ancient city in Jordan dating back to the fourth century B.C. The spectacular metropolis was built by the Nabataeans, who carved structures from the existing stone cliffs. The city is also known to have a water system that was ahead of its time. The Navateans carved water channels into the mountainous terrain, creating an extensive and sustainable water supply for the city’s large population of nearly 30,000. Despite being one of the oldest cities in the world, Petra is the most visited attraction in Jordan, welcoming around 1 million visitors a year.
‘The Seven Wonders’ are merely labels for monuments of much greater significance. Beyond the majestic image of these structures are stories and years, centuries of history worthy of being celebrated by us today.
References:
Criteria for candidacy & rules. About New7Wonders. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://about.new7wonders.com/new7wonders-project-history/criteria-for-candidacy-rules/
Encyclopædia Britannica, inc. (n.d.). New Seven Wonders of the World. Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/list/new-seven-wonders-of-the-world
New Seven Wonders of the World. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.odynovotours.com/travel-blog/new-seven-wonders-of-the-world.html
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