There is no doubt that our world is flourished with the most unique structures that are both natural and man-made. Man has created marvelous structures such as temples, tombs, churches, mosques, monuments, buildings, bridges, cities, etc. These structures have survived with the advancement of time and they continue to astound us with their unique features. There are many such structures all around the world, but only seven are chosen to be the best. Perhaps the names of the Seven Wonders of the World are on your fingertips.

However, do you know each little detail about these wonderful structures?

We would like to warn you of the surprises overload when you will explore ‘The Seven Wonders of the World’ and know some interesting facts about them.

Currently, the Seven Wonders of the World, as chosen by the New7Wonders Foundation are:

• The Taj Mahal

• The Colosseum

• The Chichen Itza

• Machu Picchu

• Christ The Redeemer

• Petra

• The Great Wall Of China

Let us know some interesting facts about each one of them.

The Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal is one of the most beautiful architectures in the world and one of the perfect crowning architectural achievements of the Mughal Empire, which ruled over most of the Indian subcontinent from 1526 to 1761.  This jaw-dropping structure, located in the Indian city of Agra, is the result of the beautiful tale of love and attracts 7 to 8 million visitors per year. The Mughal emperor Shah Jahan commissioned this structure as a testament of love for his departed wife Mumtaz Mahal. Do you know it took around 20,000 workers and 16 years to build this enthralling structure? Embedded with ivory-white marble and precious stones, it truly depicts the Mughal architectural style, balance, and stressing symmetry. It consists of both the tombs of Shah Jahan and his wife. It was also designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. Due to the pollution, its marble is discoloring and eroding, therefore, restoration efforts have been taken to protect the Taj Mahal from pollution. Book Now.

Colosseum

Popularly known as Flavian Amphitheatre – The Colosseum is an oval-shaped amphitheater built at the center of Rome in Italy. Manufactured with sand and concrete, this amphitheater is a perfect example of the architectural innovation of the Roman Empire. Its construction started in AD 72 under Emperor Vespasian and it was completed in AD 80 by his successor Titus. It is the world’s largest amphitheater with a capacity of about 80,000 spectators. Ancient people used it for gladiator shows and public spectacles such as mock sea battles. It was also used for hunting shows, mythological dramas, and public executions. Currently, it is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the world and is an iconic symbol of Imperial Rome.

The ChichénItzá

ChichénItzá is one of the most popular archeological sites in Mexico. It was a large pre-Columbian city made by the Maya people and eventually became part of the Maya-Toltec civilization. It contains various buildings such as Temple of the Warriors, Venus Platform, El Caracol, Grand Ball Court, and others. The religious temples of this destination are perfect epitomes of Maya people’s innovation in science and astronomy. The Temple of Kukulkán consists of 365 steps – depicting each day of the Haab solar calendar. This temple also has a carving of Kukulkán – the feathered serpent deity.

Machu Picchu

The pre-Columbian settlement of Inca – Machu Picchu is one of the few architectures that remain intact. Located on the eastern slope of the Andes Mountains, it is the 15^th-century Inca citadel and the most familiar icon of the Inca civilization. It is commonly believed that it was built as an estate for the Incan emperor Pachacuti. Eventually, it was abandoned after its use from the mid-15^th century to the mid-16^th century. However, the reason for its abandonment is not clear. This site was eventually discovered in 1911 by an American historian Hiram Bingham and you can find in integration with the natural terrain. One can reach here either by hiking up or by train. Most of the stones, which were used to build the city, weighed more than 50 pounds and it is said that they were transported up to the mountains without any wheels. Surprising right? It is believed that hundreds of men pushed up these heavy rocks to the mountains.

Christ The Redeemer

A very well-known and most recently constructed work of art in Brazil – Christ the Redeemer is a marvelous statue of Jesus Christ. Its construction began in 1922 and completed in 1931. Built with reinforced concrete and soapstone, this breathtaking structure weighs 1145 tons and stands 125 feet tall. It is the largest Art Deco sculpture in the world, but due to its vulnerability to weather and thunder-lightning, the government is facing several restoration challenges. It is created and built by French sculptor Paul Landowski and Brazilian engineer Heitor de Silva Costa respectively, in collaboration with Albert Caquot, a French engineer. Its face is meticulously fashioned by a Romanian sculptor, Gheorghe Leonida.

Petra

Also known as the ‘Rose City’ – Petra is truly a mesmerizing archeological and historical place in southern Jordan. Its rock-cut structure, water conduit system, and rose-colored stones continue to attract and astound a large number of people. It is more popular due to its 800 individual monuments, which include tombs, temples, buildings, baths, arched gateways, funerary halls, and colonnaded streets. Established in 312 BC, this city is one of the oldest metropolises in the world. This city was originally known as Raqma and was built by the Nabateans, who resided in the Wadi Musa valley for more than 400 years. For many years this place remained unknown to the world until Johann Ludwig Burckhardt discovered it in 1812. Book Now.

The Great Wall of China

The name says it all where does this jaw-dropping destination exist. A Chinese national symbol – The Great Wall of China is a series of fortification systems that were built across the country’s borders to protect and mark Chinese territories. Many walls overlap each other and the total length of The Great Wall of China is astoundingly 21,196 KM.  It took more than 2000 years (between 770 BC and 1633 AD) to build this unrivaled structure. It was meticulously constructed by making strategic use of natural terrains of mountain passes and ridges. Do you know this structure is the largest cemetery in the world and while building it millions of people had died? Various archaeologists found human remains buried under the wall.

Therefore, plan to explore these majestic destinations during the moments of solitude and witness the representation of the man-made architectural marvels of the modern era. These magnificent structures highlight the advanced engineering techniques that certainly existed even centuries ago.

So, next time you plan for your vacay, don’t forget to put these destinations in your bucket list.

The post What’s So Wonderful About The Seven Wonders Of The World? appeared first on Culture Holidays Blog.