The 7 wonders of the modern world: where they are, photos and history

Talking about the 7 wonders of the world is collect in a few lines beauty, heritage, history and multiculturalism. These buildings enclose within their walls the journey of civilizations, perhaps even the pinnacle of architectural perfection achieved by humans only on rare occasions.

Even so, it is necessary to make some meanings before knowing these true works of art. When we talk about the 7 wonders of the world, we refer to the modern ones, chosen in a public international competition held in 2007. If we took into account the old ones, we would add a total of 14.

Although the historical importance of the 7 wonders of the ancient world is undoubted, it does not make much sense to collect them in these lines, since all (except the pyramid of Giza) have disappeared. In addition, this list was collected by a single author, Martin van Heemskerck, a Dutch painter who portrayed them on his canvases. The 7 wonders of the ancient world are, therefore, the product of a single mind and present a high load of subjectivity.

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What are the "Wonders of the Modern World"?

In 2000, the private company New Open World Corporation launched a campaign to elect the 7 wonders of the modern world, inspired by the ancient ones (the Great Pyramid of Giza, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the Temple of Artemis in Ephesus, the Statue of Zeus in Olympia, the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, the Colossus of Rhodes and the Lighthouse of Alexandria).

After 7 years of selection and a popular voting process through the internet and SMS (with more than 100 million participants) emerged what are now known as 7 wonders of the modern world, which are part of the World Heritage Site by Unesco. This classification was welcomed with joy, but also with some anger on the part of some population sectors, since very important buildings (such as the Acropolis of Athens) remained outside.

Beyond debates and disagreements, These 7 destinations are essential for any avid connoisseur of history and cultures. Next, we will tell you the peculiarities of each of these true architectural wonders.

1. Chichen Itza (Mexico)

Translated into Maya as Boca-del-pozo de los brujos-de-agua, Chichén Itzá is one of the main archaeological sites in Yucatán (Mexico). The enclosure occupies about 15 square kilometers and has been a World Heritage Site since 1998, since constitutes one of the best preserved testimonies of the Mayan civilization.

As the government of Mexico itself indicates, Chichén Itzá was the capital of a large territory in the Yucatán peninsula, led by the Mayapán league, from 987 to 1200 AD. C. Surely what attracts the most attention in this place is the temple of Kukulkán (also known as "the castle") erected by the Itza Mayans in the 12th century. Its pyramidal design, divided into 4 facades and 9 levels or interior foundations, is the clearest example that before the arrival of the Europeans to the American continent there was already a civilization.

2. Colosseum in Rome (Italy)

We change the continent and the timeline, as we move to Europe, more specifically to Rome (Italy). The construction of this imposing building began around the year 71 AD. C. under the emperor Vespasian. The Roman Coliseum was built in a valley, after having dried up a small lake that Nero used for the Domus Aurea, a grandiose palace erected under this emperor.

Emperor Titus inaugurated the Colosseum in 80, but it was not until 2 years later that the works that gave rise to the building that we know today were completed. The historical milestone after its construction was such that a party was held throughout Rome that lasted about 100 days, and in its arenas dozens of gladiators died in this interval.

The Colosseum in Rome (more correctly called the Flavian Amphitheater) is a huge oval building 189 meters long, 156 wide and 48 high, with an elliptical perimeter of 524 meters. Up to 50,000 spectators could enjoy the “shows” hosted here, and today you can visit this historical wonder yourself.

3. Statue of Christ the Redeemer (Rio de Janeiro)

With a height of 30.1 meters on a pedestal of 8 meters accessories and 1,200 tons of weight, the imposing and harmonious image of Jesus Christ crowns the top of Mount Corcovado, located in the Tijuca National Park (Rio de Janeiro). This monumental work is conceived as a piece of art deco, a popular artistic movement between the 20s and 30s, eclectic in nature and emerged in the interwar period.

Christ the Redeemer was devised in 1920, and the participating artists, selected by the Catholic Church in 1921. It should be noted that the work was not worked on in situ, but its parts were commissioned to different artists, some of whom never came to visit the monument. After 5 years of joint work, the Cristo Redentor or Cristo del Corcovado was inaugurated on October 12, 1931.

4. The Great Wall of China (China)

Counting branches and secondary structures, it is estimated that this world wonder located in China presents about 21,200 kilometers long (from the border with Korea, along the Yalu River, to the desert of Gobi). Although today only 30% of it is preserved, this building earns its name by hand: with about 7 meters high and 5 wide, the Great Wall of China is another current proof of the architectural greatness of the human being.

The Chinese wall has a great history (more than 2,300 years), as it was built in different areas by different states / dynasties in order to protect various political organizations. Its beginning dates back to 770 BC. C, until the Ming dynasty (1368-1644), which shaped most of the building that we know today. Contrary to popular belief, the task of this wall is not to prevent the entry of people, but to cut the logistics line of the enemy cavalry.

5. Machu Picchu, Peru)

Machu Picchu, located in Peru, is the most important citadel for the Incas, having been built in a rugged and inaccessible mountain (it is in the Andes mountain range, 2,340 meters above the level of the sea). This impressive territory has 2 large sectors, one urban and one agricultural, separated by a great wall that descends the slope of the hill until it reaches the banks of the river Vilcanota.

This citadel was "discovered" in 1911 by Hiram Bingham, an American history professor. However, thanks to scientific tests (such as that of carbon 14), it has been elucidated that the date of its construction is located in the year 1450 of the Christian era, during the reign of the Inca Pachacutec. Currently, Machu Picchu is a world heritage site and one of the greatest prides of Peru.

6. Petra (Jordan)

Petra is an important archaeological site located in Jordan. Hidden between the mountains (east of the Arava Valley), Petra became a rich city thanks to the caravan trade, since the Nabataeans, an Arab nomadic people, settled there. The name of this wonder comes in handy, since petra means stone in Greek, since it is not that it was built from stone, but rather it was literally sculpted and excavated from this material.

Although the history of its construction dates back to the Nabataean period, in the 7th century BC. C, was not rediscovered by western populations until the 19th century. Without a doubt, this group of buildings will take your breath away, as there are few examples of entire cities sculpted on clay and stone.

7. Taj Mahal (India)

We do not forget the Taj Mahal, perhaps the most beautiful architectural area and monument found on planet Earth today. This impressive building was built between 1631 and 1654 in the city of Agra, Uttar Pradesh state (India), by the Muslim emperor Shah Jahan. Although the mausoleum and its dome are the best known elements, it is necessary to know that the Taj Mahal occupies a total of 17 hectares, also occupied by a great mosque, a guest house and several gardens.

Resume

These are the 7 wonders of the world, voted by thousands of inhabitants of the Earth and endorsed by the UNESCO, but without a doubt, they are not the only buildings that stand out for their history, cultural background and beauty.

Human society is responsible for the most beautiful things and the most despicable atrocities, and these buildings are the clear example of the good face of our species. When human beings come together in pursuit of a common goal, is capable of the most inconceivable feats on an architectural and social level.