Last Updated on February 8, 2023 by Left Lane
If you’re looking for a fun Travel Check List type activity, one that you can enjoy over the years. Think about adding the 7 New Wonders of the World to your list.
Not to be mistaken for the 7 Ancient Wonders of the World, all of which are no longer standing. Except the Great Pyramid of the Giza Plateau in Cairo, Egypt. The Pyramid of Khufu is the only remaining Ancient Wonder of the World.
WHAT ARE THE 7 WONDERS OF THE WORLD, & WHERE ARE THEY LOCATED?
Without further ado, I present the New 7 Wonders of the World:
1. Chichen Itza
The locals in Mexico call this pyramid “El Castillo” which means castle in Spanish. It is known as the Temple of Kukulcán. To the ancient Maya Indians, this was the Temple of their feathered serpent god Kukulcán.
The pyramids height including the temple built on top is 98 feet tall. The Temple of the step Pyramid was also used as a point for the Mayan ritual human sacrifices.
It is located in the middle of one of the largest Ancient Mayan Cities ever discovered, Chichen Itza. There are tails that Chichen Itza was founded as early as 400 A.D. possibly. Chichen Itza is located in the municipality of San Felipe, in the Mexican state of Yucatán, in North America.
2. Machu Picchu
The name Machu Picchu means “Old Peak” which is the name of one of the two peaks it sits in between. It is located in the Country of Peru, in South America. It resides a little over a 45 mile drive northwest of the City of Cuzco. It was built around 1450 A.D. and lived in by the Inca Indians until about 1572 A.D.
Most historians believe it was built as the palace for the Inca Emperor Pachacuti. It was occupied until the Spanish Conquest, lead by the Conquistador Francisco Pizarro ended in 1572. The Spanish never found Machu Picchu, & it was not rediscovered until 1911 by the Explorer & Historian Hiram Bingham.
3. Christ The Redeemer
Christ The Redeemer statue is over 98 feet tall by itself, & the statue is perched upon a pedestal that’s 26 feet tall. For a combined height of 124 feet from the ground up. To see it from the surrounding city, the statue seems even taller. It sits atop the peak of the 2,300 feet high Corcovado Mountain. Raising Christ The Redeemer to a height of over 2,400 feet above the City of Rio de Janeiro.
Located in the Country of Brazil, in South America. The statue was designed by the sculptor Paul Landowski & sculptor Gheorghe Leonida who sculptured the face of Christ. The entire statue is made of soapstone. The out stretched arms of the Redeemer Statue are nearly as wide as the statue is tall. With a wingspan of 92 feet.
4. The Roman Colosseum
The Roman Colosseum is an ancient amphitheater. At the time of its completion the reigning Emperor of Rome was Titus. Who was mostly known for conquering & destroying Jerusalem during the first Roman-Jewish war in 70 A.D.
After Titus’s death. He was honored by the Romans for his conquest of Jerusalem with the construction of the Arch of Titus. Which still stands on the grounds to the East of the Colosseum. The Colosseum is over 157 feet tall, that’s the equivalent today of a 15 story building.
The Roman Colosseum was the largest ancient amphitheater ever built, seating 80,000 spectators. It could be flooded for re-enactments of famous Roman sea battles. It’s most known use was for the Roman Executions & Animal Hunts. It even had a Velarium sail style sun shade, which is a type of retractable roof, that was suspended using wooden masts & Rope. It’s located in the city of Rome. In the country of Italy, in Europe.
5. Petra
Petra was the home of the Nabataean people. They were a nomadic tribe of Arabs. They made Petra their capital city, because of its importance on the Incense & Spice Trade Route. This route covered most of the Mediterranean region of the world. Stretching from across the sea to Egypt, as far as India in Southeast Asia. All those routes brought traders through Petra. Mainly trading Frankincense, Myrrh, & Indian Spices.
Petra was famous for the way the Nabataeans engineered the water system. Creating a system of Water Channels, Dams, & Cisterns. Making Ancient Petra a lush green desert oasis in it’s time. Al-Khazneh is believed to have been the mausoleum of there king. The Treasury was carved from a solid sandstone rock face for King Aretas IV. Ancient Petra is located in the City of Aqaba. In the Country of Jordan, in Asia.
6. Taj Mahal
The construction of the Taj Mahal was completed around 1643. It was ordered to be built by the ruling Indian Emperor Shah Jahan. It was a show, & memorial of love for his deceased wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Who passed away while giving birth to their daughter. It is a colossal, elegantly sculpted White Marble Mausoleum. The 4 tall towers at each corner are called Minarets.
The design of the building was centered around its Tomb. Which is also the final resting place of the Emperor himself. It consumes over 40 acres. It took approximately 21 years to build completely. The Taj Mahal is located in the City of Agra, in the State of Uttar Pradesh. In the Country of India, in Asia.
7. Great Wall of China
The Great Wall of China is the longest wall, & defensive fortification ever constructed in the world. It’s over 5,500 miles long. Sections of the wall use the natural landscape itself as a defense. The earliest stretches of the wall were built as early as 650 B.C. & were continually built upon by successive Emperors. It was not completed, until 1878 A.D. taking over 2500 years to build.
The Great Wall also utilized its high vantage point by including guard watchtowers, troop fortresses, & sleeping barracks. The first ruler of China, Emperor Qin Shi Huang is accredited with starting the Walls construction. He done so by joining older sections of wall together. The Great wall was created wide enough soldiers could ride horses & chariots along the top. It’s most famous section, the Jinshanling Wall is located in the County of Luanping, in the Province of Hebei. In the Country of China in Asia.
THE NAMES OF THE SEVEN WORLD WONDERS
If you hadn’t put these beautiful places on your Travel Checklist, go ahead & add them now. Just as soon as Covid-19 will possibly allow, put your phone down, get out & see the world!
All 7 Wonders of the World listed:
- 1. Chichen Itza
- 2. Machu Picchu
- 3. Christ The Redeemer
- 4. Roman Colosseum
- 5. Petra
- 6. Taj Mahal
- 7. Great Wall of China
Want to see more ancient sculptures, and unique Temples found across the globe? Check out some of our other Adventures to discover Ancient History: RIGHT HERE
The Roving Gypsy®
Thanks for reading my Blog, I hope this was helpful to you. If you like what you read, & want more content, or have suggestions? Like, Follow, Share, Comment, & let me know.
