Seven wonders of the world, photos and descriptions of unique architectural structures show the greatness of ancient history.
The ancient era, with its greatest cultural and historical monuments, laid the foundation for the outstanding creations of mankind, which continue the legacy with new discoveries and genuine miracles.
What are the wonders of the world, how many there are, what they are, why is the word "miracle" used in relation to them, what significance these objects have for world history and culture - we will try to answer these questions, as well as give a definition , a brief description and provide photographs of those that exist in the 21st century.
Since the time of Ancient Hellas, an antique work of architecture and art has been called a wonder of the world, which has no equal beauty, majestic dimensions, precious decoration and originality.
There were 7 such miracles in the ancient world. Who has not heard about the Eighth Wonder of the World? Probably everything. Can you name it? List them, and you will see that there are only seven of them in our time. No list or table in the tutorial contains it. And all because the 8th wonder of the world does not officially exist - this is just an expression designed to assess something truly delightful and grandiose, or ... to emphasize the extraordinary curiosity of some phenomenon or incident.
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7 wonders of the world - list
So what's on the list:
- - the age is about 4.5 thousand years, daily crowds of tourists visit this sights of Egypt.
- - an amazing and unusual gift made by a husband for his beloved wife. Amid dusty Babylon, beautiful, green gardens full of exotic plants, birds and animals have grown.
- Zeus statue in Olympia - only this miracle was on the territory of the continent of Europe. For 300 years, the Olympic Games were held, and only then the construction of the majestic and main temple began.
- Temple of Artemis of Ephesus - a wonderful building, burned for the sake of "glorifying" the name.
- mausoleum in Halicarnassus - stood in its place for a long time - nineteen centuries.
- The Colossus of Rhodes - a huge statue of the sun god who was worshiped by the people.
- Alexandrian lighthouse - not just a lighthouse, but a fortress city, on the top of which a fire burned day and night. Firewood was delivered by mullahs along a winding road inside the building.
Detailed description of the seven wonders
The Pyramid of Cheops
The first wonder of the world is the Cheops pyramid. The ancient heritage of Egypt is located in the northwestern part of Cairo. The location points to the 4 parts of the world and shows the unique precision of the structure. The greatest Egyptian wonder of the world took 20 years to build. For its construction, the labor of about a million slaves was used, whose work continued after the death of Pharaoh Cheops.
The base area of \u200b\u200bthe pyramid reaches 53,000 square meters. m, and the height at the end of construction reached 147 m. You can get inside to the tomb of the pharaoh only through one entrance, which is located above the ground at a level of 15.5 m.
It is worth noting: Caliph Abdullah Al-Mamun decided to disturb the chambers of the pharaoh, who led a tunnel into the pyramid with the intention of making money, in the end did not find any treasures.
Hanging Gardens of Babylon
The second wonder of the world is the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. They represent a gorgeous gift from Nebuchadnezzar - the Babylonian ruler for his beloved wife. Subsequently, the wealth and splendor of the city was destroyed by flooding. The structures and buildings where the gardens grew are eroded and broken under the influence of the powerful water flow.
The attraction misleads contemporaries about its location. Many scientists-archaeologists have made repeated attempts to find traces of the oldest phenomenon.
Zeus statue in Olympia
The third wonder of the world - the majestic Zeus was a masterpiece of jewelers. The author is the great master of that time - Phidias. The wonders of the world, described on Wikipedia, say that the author has been creating his creation for about 10 years. Until now, the size of the statue has not been precisely determined; it is believed that the approximate height was 12-18 m.
The throne pedestal was impressive in size, decorated with fragments from the Olympic Games and the life of the gods. On it sat a thunderer naked to the waist, supported at the feet of two lions. On the body - a golden cloak with images of animals and plants. On his head is a wreath, the thunderer is holding a scepter in one hand, and a golden statue of the goddess of Victory in the other.
Temple of Artemis of Ephesus
The fourth wonder of the world is the Temple of Artemis of Ephesus. The ancient pilgrim center is located in Turkey. It was built by the Amazons, who were considered the founders of the city. Soon the city was burnt by Herostratus. In the 6th century, a new construction project under the leadership of Khersifron included white marble columns.
Its construction lasted 120 years and was carried out according to the same project, with a preliminary collection of funds and valuables from the townspeople.
Good to know: on the day of the fire of the temple, Alexander III the Great was born, and the phrase "Herostratus' glory" became a symbol of a bad deed.
mausoleum in Halicarnassus
The fifth wonder of the world is the mausoleum at Halicarnassus. The ruler Mavsol built his tomb under his personal supervision. The three-level mausoleum was 46 meters high. The lower level was faced with marble. It housed the tomb of the king. The next level was a colonnade propping up the roof, creating a pyramidal shape.
The top was personified by the figures of King Mavsol and Artemisia, who are in a chariot with 4 horses.
The Colossus of Rhodes
The sixth wonder of the world is the colossus of Rhodes. The islanders of Rhodes erected a monument to their patron Helios in gratitude for their victory with the invaders. The monument is the personification of the freedom and independence of the inhabitants of the island. The construction of the statue has been going on for 12 years. According to numerous descriptions of contemporaries, the Colossus was located on an embankment, which was a kind of gateway to the city. In one hand the young man held the blazing fire of Helios.
The height of the statue reached 36 m. The supporting pillars of the structure of the structure turned out to be unreliable and after only 65 years collapsed as a result of an earthquake. The statue of the Colossus of Rhodes is a wonder of the world that lasted the least of all.
It is worth noting: fragile structures later became known as the "Colossus with feet of clay".
Alexandrian lighthouse
The seventh wonder of the world is the Lighthouse of Alexandria. The tower got its name from the city of the same name, located near the island of Faros. The lighthouse fulfilled its direct role, illuminating the path of ships lost to the shore with flame at night. Sostrat of Cnidus was the designer of the gigantic structure of 140 meters.
Consisting of several tiers, the lighthouse served as housing for sailors and port workers. At the top of the octagonal tower was a light source - a large fire. The unique creation lasted until the 15th century, when an earthquake completely destroyed it.
Note: the second name of the lighthouse is Zeus the Savior.
Who first described the 7 wonders of the world
The original founder of the work "On the Seven Wonders of the World" was Philo of Byzantium. His short essay on 12 pages consists of eyewitness accounts of unique buildings.
Philo of Byzantine did not see any of the described miracles with his own eyes, and wrote about them from the stories of others
Information about the life and work of the great engineer and poet consists of small facts that are famous for their great discoveries. The wonders of the world were described by many talented authors: Herodotus, Strabo, Pausanias, Sequestre, Cassiodorus, etc. However, they did not have a single idea and in their own way determined the unique monuments.
Seven Wonders of the Ancient World
The famous wonders of the world that have entered our life are the wonders of the ancient world. Why are there not five or six wonders of the world ... namely 7?
“7” is a number associated with the sacred god Apollo, signifies completeness and perfection in the mind of the ancient civilization.
Compiles a list of venerable rulers of the ancient age. Based on their significance, grandiose monuments of that time were created.
Each monument from the list is an embodiment of architectural art. From the beginning of the Hellenic era, writings on unique monuments were circulated on papyri by Greek authors. They were widely studied at school and were a teaching aid.
How many wonders of the world have survived to this day
Only one pyramid of Cheops is completely preserved to our time. The Egyptian miracle of antiquity still keeps the secrets of great ancestors. At the moment, this is the largest architectural structure made of stone, reaching 137 m.During its existence, it has decreased by almost 10 m.
Architectural sights, interesting to many researchers in the world and constituting the wonders of the ancient world, have been preserved in part or in the form of a copy:
- The lighthouse of Alexandria collapsed as a result of the earthquake and could not be restored. By now only the fortress has survived.
- A copy of Zeus is on display in the Hermitage. This is the tallest antique sculpture of our time, 3.5 m high.
- Having existed for 19 centuries, the mausoleum in Halicarnassus was destroyed by an earthquake. The tombs of Artemisia and Mausolus are in the British Museum.
- Only the German historian Robert Koldewey managed to discover the gardens of Semiramis in 18 years of excavations. Found buildings of Ancient Babylon and structures that surrounded the gardens.
Seven wonders of the world of our time
On July 7, 2007, a list of 7 modern wonders of the world was compiled. We will give a description and present a photo of each object that was included in the list, which was called the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
the great Wall of China
The construction of the greatest defensive structure began in the 3rd century BC, and now it still harbors many legends. During the construction, the main goals were pursued: the protection of the territory from the Mongol invasion and the creation of guarantees for the protection of one state from another. Inadequate attention to the great structure gradually destroyed it in some places. A large-scale restoration of architecture began at the end of the 20th century.
1997 was marked by the entry into the status of a miracle of the modern world. The architectural structure stretches for almost 9 thousand km, has a height of 6 to 10 meters.
Do you know that: the erection of the wall resulted in tens of thousands of deaths due to hard work and epidemics.
Statue of Christ the Redeemer
The famous symbol of the Brazilian people is located at the very top of the Corcovado Mountain. Rising above the city with outstretched arms, Christ the Redeemer, with his 38-meter height, seems to embrace all the inhabitants of the metropolis, and at the same time, from afar, he warmly welcomes guests.
The construction of the monument is timed to coincide with the 100th anniversary of independence. All residents of the country collected funds for the construction. Detailed production of the statue took place in France.
Taj Mahal
The pinnacle of the Mongolian architectural style is the snow-white palace located on the banks of the Jamna. Construction was underway for two decades, it was built by the middle of the 17th century.
The mausoleum contains the tombs of Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan, a descendant of Tamerlane. The presence of four minarets around the edges of the palace helps protect the tombs from tremors and destruction.
Coliseum
The largest amphitheater of the ancient era can accommodate more than 50 thousand people. The beginning of construction during the Flavian dynasty lasted 8 years. In the VIII century, due to its impressive size, it began to be called.
At the beginning of their existence, gladiators practiced their art in the arena of the amphitheater. After being plundered by barbarians and an earthquake in the 14th century, the Colosseum was literally pulled apart brick by brick. Only from the 18th century the building was taken under protection as an important architectural mega-object.
Machu Picchu
This is the nickname for the city in the sky, which is located at an altitude of about 2500 m above the sea. Previously it was the residence of the emperor. The almost untouched ancient urban architecture did not suffer from the attacks of the Spanish conquerors.
The clear structure of the city delights with its architectural design. However, little is known about the urban population and the city.
Petra
Jordan Petra is a city in a rock, located above the sea at a level of 900 meters. The road to it is laid through a natural gorge, which serves as city walls.
Remaining ruins of houses built using the traditional stone method stretch for kilometers. Ed Deir is a 45-meter monastery carved into the rock. The main attraction - the mausoleum of Al-Khazneh - still keeps the legend of untold treasures. Previously, the city served as a trade route connecting Damascus and the Red Sea regions.
Note: Indiana Jones' adventure film filmed in Petra.
Chichen Itza
Mexico is famous for the legendary city called, which resembles the consonance of legumes, loved by the locals, among other things. Chichen Itza, a Mayan civilization, has a 24-meter pyramid called the Temple of Kukulkan, which has 365 steps.
There are as many steps as there are days in a year. The located natural well is the Sacred Cenote. Its depth is "deadly" - 50 m. Earlier it served for the rite of sacrifices. It is known that living people were thrown into the cenote. Now tourists swim in it.
The change of civilizations leaves behind a grandiose architectural heritage, which has been partially preserved to this day. The question - how many wonders of the world are in the world and which ones - can now be answered definitely. The appearance of new miracles is evidence that there are still many mysterious places in the world for study and recognition of their significance for all mankind.
We bring to your attention an interesting film about the seven wonders of the ancient world:
7 wonders of the world, as well as a description of each of them - incredible structures that have gained glory from the past and present. The uniqueness of each building is associated with the construction time, loss or wealth and talent of the creator. Today, there are two lists with photos - ancient wonders of the world and new ones, which were selected in 2007.
7 wonders of the world, photos and descriptions of which will not convey all the beauty of the sights, were designated by two creators. The first mention belongs to the work of Herodotus "History", where he gives the title of miracle to 3 structures. An addition to this list was highlighted by Antipater in his own poems.
The Pyramid of Cheops
In modern times, one of the seven wonders of the world has survived - the Pyramid of Cheops. The date of creation falls on 4500 years ago. The pyramid is a tomb of the pharaoh with corridors filled with traps and dead-end passages. It was originally covered with white limestone, and at the top was a gilded pyramidion (often used to decorate the tops of tombs).
In the 12th century, when Cairo was burned, the pyramid was looted, the cover was removed, and the stone was lost. The structure is considered the largest in Egypt. Inside the tomb there are three crypts located one below the other. The chambers of the Tsar and Tsarina are similar to ventilation shafts, which are of a religious nature.
Not all 7 wonders of the world survived to this day. The only existing representative is the Cheops pyramid. Photo and description below.The Egyptians believed that the soul goes through several gates before entering the afterlife. Therefore, the ventilation shaft has several doors. At the end of such a "path" there is a small space with signs inscribed with red ocher, signifying the entrance to the afterlife itself.
Hanging Gardens of Babylon
One of the most mysterious wonders is the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, which were built by King Nebuchadnezzar II for his wife. The creation of this miracle is associated with a romantic story. In the struggle against the Assyrians, the kings of Media and Babylon entered into an alliance, reinforcing it with a marriage between Nebuchadnezzar (king of Babylon) and the daughter of the Median king.
The girl yearned for her native flourishing country, and for her smile Nebuchadnezzar ordered the hanging gardens to be erected.
But the daughter of the Medes king was not called Semiramis. This name belonged to the queen who ruled in Assyria 200 years before. It is mistakenly believed that Semiramis at least somehow contacted Nebuchadnezzar. In 126 BC, the miracle was destroyed during a feud with the Persians, not even standing for a century.
Temple of Artemis of Ephesus
According to legends, Artemis is the goddess of fertility and prosperity. Thanks to her, there was a rich harvest and healthy children. The predecessors of the future wonder of the world were three sanctuaries. After that, at this place, the inhabitants of Ephesus decided to honor the goddess by erecting an incredible beauty of the temple. Khersiphon became the architect of the project, and Croesus provided funds for the construction.
In the building itself, a statue of ivory and gold was erected. For some time, the temple bore the function of a meeting hall in solving important economic and political issues of Ephesus. There is an opinion that in the IV century BC, two grandiose events took place in one night - Herostratus burned the temple, desiring glory, and at the same moment Alexander the Great was born.
It was the king of Macedonia who subsequently restored the miracle, making it several feet higher. But 600 years later, the temple was plundered by the Goths.
Zeus statue in Olympia
Initially, the Olympic Games were dedicated to the god Zeus to demonstrate the willpower and human body. To further exalt the ruler of the gods, it was decided to build a statue in his honor. The role of sculptor and creator was given to the Athenian Phidias. In support of this, archaeologists found a bowl that stood in front of a statue with the inscription "Belongs to Phidias."
According to legends, Zeus was created from 200 kg of gold, a mountain of precious stones and wood using a special technique.
In the days of Christianity, all pagan temples were banned, and internal property was sold for the benefit of the city. There are two versions of the disappearance of the statue of Zeus - during the transportation to Constantinople, there was a fire that destroyed the sculpture. Or it was simply sold due to lack of funds.
mausoleum in Halicarnassus
The Halicarnassus Mausoleum is a monument in honor of the ruler Mavsol, who was supposed to have a posthumous meaning. However, the construction of it was started by Mavsola's wife before her husband's death. The peculiarity of this building is the unusual style of that time. The mausoleum was square, not rectangular, and also had at least 330 statues.
The base of the structure, which significantly exceeded the analogs of that time, was also unusual. The miracle stood for almost 2000 years, after which it suffered during a strong earthquake. Parts of the wreckage went to build the fortress of St. Peter.
Alexandrian lighthouse
7 wonders of the world are in many ways connected with Alexander the Great. On the way to the Bay of Alexandria there were a large number of reefs, because of which ships often crashed, and the Pharos lighthouse was of strategic importance. According to the description, the construction was supposed to take 20 years, but everything was completed in 12 years.To date, you can see only a photo of a reproduction of that structure.
The structure became huge, as for that time, from which it fell into the list of the seven wonders of the world. Soldiers lived at the bottom of the lighthouse. A fire burned in the upper cylinder.
The wonder of the world was doomed to perish during the devastation of the Alexandrian bay. The ships did not enter the port, which made the lighthouse no longer needed and it was empty. About 200 years later, a strong earthquake struck, which finally destroyed the lighthouse.
The Colossus of Rhodes
The statue of the Colossus of Rhodes was erected in honor of the sun god Helios, who, according to legend, helped to win the struggle of Rhodes against Demetrius Poliorket. Despite all the military might of the Macedonian king, the city withstood the siege and forced the king to retreat. The inhabitants of Rhodes believed that the island itself was born by Helios, so he subsequently defended it.
The sculptor Hares was hired to perpetuate the god in the form of a giant statue. According to legends, he was first ordered a figure 10 times the height of a person, but then they doubled the volume, paying the same amount. However, more materials were required, so the sculptor had to complete the construction at his own expense.
To date, no reliable image of the statue has survived, since it stood for only 50 years. It was destroyed due to a strong earthquake and was not restored, since the oracle predicted God's wrath to the one who touched the fallen figure of Helios.
New 7 wonders of the world with photos and descriptions
7 wonders of the world (photos and descriptions of them can be found further in the article) according to the new version were proclaimed during the 2007 project sponsored by the New Open World Corporation. The elections were held among candidates for the most striking structures by means of a simple vote via text messages and calls. The result was announced in July 2007 in the capital of Portugal.
The winners are:
- Amphitheater Colosseum.
- Protective structure Great Wall of China.
- Machu Picchu.
- Lost city of Petra (Jordan).
- Mosque Taj Mahal.
- Contemporary statue of Christ the Redeemer.
- Ruins of the ancient civilizations of the city of Chichen Itza.
Another 14 finalists competed for a place among the wonders of the world. The Pyramid of Cheops was among them, but did not participate in the vote, as it is the last surviving wonder of the Ancient World.
the great Wall of China
The Great Wall of China was built as a symbol of the country's unity and power. It was not built from scratch. The kingdoms of Qin, Zhao, Yan and Wei erected borders to defend against nomadic attacks. In the third century BC, Emperor Qin Shihuang issued a decree on the need to build a protective wall, which will be called the Great Chinese.
The structure included all parts of the pre-existing kingdoms, which were strengthened and supplemented to a whole image.
Meng Tian managed the ten-year construction. The construction was difficult due to the lack of roads and food supplies. The number of people who participated in the construction is not known exactly - from 300 thousand to a million.
Most of them died while working. The next ruling dynasties completed the construction of the Great Wall of China. Most of the surviving part of it was built during the Ming dynasty.
Statue of Christ the Redeemer
The history of the Brazilian Statue of Christ the Redeemer is associated with the then approaching 100th anniversary of the independence of the state (1922). In honor of this, a fundraiser was announced for the construction of the statue. As a result of the action, almost 3 million local currency was collected, including a significant part of the church's funds. Construction lasted 9 years.
The details of the figure were made in France, as its dimensions were too large. The idea of \u200b\u200bsketching outstretched hands was associated with a cross. By 1931, the entire statue was transported by rail and assembled into a single figure. It was consecrated only 34 years later.
Over time, Christ the Redeemer was repaired and restored, and in recent years, night lighting has been added. The first service was held only after the statue was chosen as the New Wonder of the World.
Taj Mahal
Taj Mahal is a mausoleum that was built in honor of Shah Jahan's wife who died during childbirth. Later, the padishah himself was buried there. Inside the mosque itself are the tombs of the ruler and his wife, but the remains themselves are located on the underground level, hidden from the eyes of visitors.
It is considered a pearl of Muslim culture due to the combination of several currents of architecture: Indian, Persian and Arab.
Coliseum
Colosseum is translated from Latin as huge or colossal. Made on the principle of an open amphitheater. In the 1st century, the emperor Nero ruled, who adhered to a despotic policy. After his death and a period of civil wars, Vespasian came to power. He wanted to perpetuate his own name, erasing the memory of an unsuccessful predecessor.
Nero's palace at that time was huge and a lake in the very center of Rome. Vespasian himself altered the palace for his own needs, and ordered to fill up the reservoir and build an amphitheater in its place, which would entertain the people. During Christianity, the Colosseum lost its urgent need, and with the invasion of the barbarians in the same century, it began to collapse.
The largest changes occurred in the earthquake in 1349. After that, the broken off parts were used for the construction of new buildings. Subsequently, stones began to be pulled apart and those that did not fall off during the earthquake.
Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu is called the city among the clouds, as it is located high in the mountains. It is considered the place of existence of the Inca civilization until the arrival of the Spanish conquerors. It was the imperial residence, the third largest for the glorification of a name.
Nevertheless, Machu Picchu could not be called a large city at that time. There are no more than 200 buildings within its boundaries. For a long time, the city was lost. It was discovered 400 years after the conquest.
Petra
Petra is the oldest city of Nabatea, which was carved into the city. It was located at a strategically important intersection of trade routes. This is what brought Peter a great income for a long time. After the discovery of the eastern sea route by Rome, the crossing of the routes disappeared, from which the city itself gradually became impoverished and ruined.
Until now, it has not been fully investigated, since a wrong movement can lead to the destruction of the whole wonder of the world. Today it is a center of pilgrimage.
Chichen Itza
Chichen Itza is the center of the ancient Mayan civilization in the first part and the Taltecs in the second. In the 11th century, the city became the capital of the Taltek state. During the wars of one people with another, it was destroyed to ruins. By the time of the Spanish invasions, the city was completely deserted, having lost any influence on the neighboring regions.
Some settlements of local residents were located near Chichen Itza, but no one lived in the area itself. The Indians considered this city to be the center of pilgrimage travel. It is not fully explored, as it has a huge number of underground labyrinths and traps.
Among the ruins of this city, the remains of a skull were found with trepanation, a complex modern surgical operation, which indicates the high medical level of civilizations.
7 natural wonders of the world from CNN
7 wonders of the world (photo and description compiled by CNN version) are associated with natural phenomena:
7 new wonders of nature with photos and descriptions
7 wonders of the world (photos and descriptions of each can be seen in the article) in the natural meaning have existed for a long time.
Therefore, a project was put together about new miracles:
The eighth wonder of the world
07.07.07 (July 7, 2007) 7 new wonders of the world were selected, but the Pyramids of Giza were not included in it. This happened for the reason that they are already on the list of 7 ancient wonders of the world, however, the inhabitants of Egypt believe that their Pyramids do not need any vote and in themselves are a miracle.
The Pyramids of Giza are a complex of several ancient monuments, namely the Pyramids of Cheops, Menkaouar and Khafra.
They are located in the suburbs of Cairo and were created approximately in the XXVI - XXIII centuries. BC. They are the unrecognized eighth wonder of the world.
Other wonders of the world
During the definition of modern wonders of the world, 20 applicants were selected, from which 7 were selected:
| Wonder of the world | Description |
| The Eiffel Tower | One of the most recognizable buildings in the world, located in the city of love - Paris, its height is 324 meters. The tower was designed in 1887 by Gustave Eiffel. The total weight of the structure is 10 thousand tons. |
| Angkor | Previously, it was a city in the Khemer Empire, to our time it has been preserved in the form of numerous ruins. Recognized as a World Heritage Site. |
| Acropolis of Athens | The Acropolis is located on a hill about 160 meters high and is a complex of structures and temples. It was built before the classical era of Athens. |
| Sydney Opera House | Perhaps one of the most recognizable musical theaters in the world, it is also a symbol of Australia. It was recognized as an outstanding architectural building. |
| Statue of Liberty | One of the most famous and recognizable buildings in the world, a symbol of US freedom, is located in New York. Its height is 93 meters. The statue is made of 3 components - copper, steel and concrete. The total weight of the entire structure is approximately 27,156 tons including the base. |
| Neuschwanstein | A romantic castle located in Germany. For its construction, a rock was blown up by order of Ludwig II. |
| Timbuktu | A whole city located in Mali. The population of this city is 33 thousand people and there are 3 of the oldest mosques in West Africa. |
| Kremlin | A walled city located in Moscow. The main social and political complex of modern Russia. The height of the walls ranges from 5 to 20 meters, and the width is about 4.5 meters. |
| Moai | Huge stone statues weighing up to 80 tons are located on Easter Island. There are still debates about how exactly they were delivered and for what purpose. |
| Alhambra | An architectural park ensemble located in Granada, Spain. The Alhambra is considered by many to be the finest structure of Moorish art. It is now a museum. |
| Hagia Sophia | Hagia Sophia, which for thousands of years was one of the largest in the world. It is a symbol of the golden age in Byzantium. The building was both a cathedral and a mosque, however, at the moment it is a museum. |
| Kiyomizu-dera | One of the most famous Buddhist temples in Japan, located in Kyoto. There is a waterfall on its territory, and it is surrounded by a green forest. |
| Stonehenge | World Heritage, the purpose of which has not yet been revealed. It is made up of large stone blocks set in a circle. |
7 wonders of the world are known for their distinctiveness and uniqueness. The buildings brought something new to culture or religion, this made it possible to find out the historical description of that time. Photos very vividly convey the majesty of each of them.
Article design: Lozinsky Oleg
Video about 7 wonders of the world
List of all seven wonders of the world and their features:
About the legendary 7 wonders of the world - the greatest creations of mankind - everyone has definitely heard in childhood, even if not everyone can remember them in order. And although it will no longer be possible to see most of the monuments from the history textbook, people managed to compile to the delight of tourists many other, alternative, lists of outstanding sights that have survived to this day.
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 with 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 compiled by Herodotus: in his "History" we are talking about three grandiose structures on the island of Samos - a mountain tunnel, a dam and the temple of Hera.
Soon, other thinkers added the list to seven sights: the seven in ancient Greece was considered a holy number, 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, are 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 of Ancient Greece and one in Mesopotamia (or 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. Included in the complex of the pyramids in Giza - the main attraction of Egypt.
The legendary Babylonian Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the second wonder of the world, presumably 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 with a pedestal, was made of ivory, ebony and gold, stood for about nine centuries: from 435 BC. e. until the 5th century - burned down in a fire.
The ruins of the fourth wonder of the world, Artemis at Ephesus (from the 6th to the 4th or 3rd centuries BC), are now part of the Turkish city of Selcuk (near Izmir).
Of the lost sights, the most persistent was the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus. Non-standard for mid 4th 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 what the city is now called 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 (stood only 65 years, destroyed in the same 3rd century BC) and the Alexandria lighthouse in Egypt (the seventh wonder of the world, collapsed in the 14th 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 XXI century, in 2001-2007. Currently, it is the most famous of such ratings and therefore, along with the UNESCO World Heritage List, it is the main must see landmark for tourists actively traveling around the world. It was compiled by the specially created non-profit foundation The New 7 Wonders of the world based on international voting via the Internet and other means of communication. Nearly 100 million votes were passed in the selection of attractions, but since the conditions allowed for multiple votes, the list became questionable almost immediately after publication.
One of the undisputed leaders on the list is the Great Wall of China. It stretches 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 in China is organically inscribed in the landscape and is a truly impressive sight. Several sites are open for tourists. The most popular is Badaling, which is connected by transport to Beijing.
The antique 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 above. 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 Mount Pan de Asucar. In the list of the new 7 wonders of the world, the statue, erected in honor of the century of Brazil's independence, is the youngest attraction, less than a hundred years old.
Lost in the middle of the desert in Jordan, Petra, the capital of the ancient kingdoms of Idumea and Nabatea, opened to Europeans only in the 19th century. The main attractions of Petra, the “stone city,” are the crypts carved into the red sandstone cliffs and the rocky temple of El Deir.
The pearl of Muslim architectural art in India is the Taj Mahal mausoleum-mosque in Agra, built in the 17th century by the will of the padishah 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 city of the Incas of Machu Picchu is located in the territory of modern Peru. This sixth new wonder of the world was created as a sacred mountain refuge when Pachacutec ruled the Incas in the middle of the 15th century. However, the alpine city remained inhabited for less than a century - until the invasion of the Spaniards, who, however, never reached it. The worldwide discovery of the Inca "city among the clouds" took place only in 1911. Many riddles of Machu Picchu have remained unsolved, and they still haunt researchers.
Completing the list of modern wonders of the world is the legacy of the Maya - another lost civilization of America. The sacred city of Chichen Itza in the north of the Yucatan Peninsula was founded around the 7th century AD, later the Toltecs who captured it made their contribution 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 the preserved monuments of Chichen Itza includes temples-pyramids, play "stadiums", ruins of colonnades, a well of sacrifices and an observatory.
Long ago, sages and travelers compiled a list of 7 wonders of the world, the list included the most beautiful and most majestic buildings of the whole world in their view.
The most magnificent buildings of antiquity - seven wonders of the world
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 a poem by Antipater of Sidon, 4 more wonders of the world were added to the list, and so the list was named 7 wonders of the world. Here is a list of 7 wonders of the world:
The Pyramid of Cheops
This pyramid is the largest of all the Egyptian pyramids and the most popular of the 7 Wonders of the World. It was built in 2540 BC. e.
The height of this giant is approximately 138.75 m. The heaviest stone module of the pyramid weighs 15 tons. Imagine! The pyramid consists of 2.5 million blocks, each weighing 2.5 tons.
Hanging Gardens of Babylon
This wonder of the world still has one name - the Hanging Gardens of Amitis, that was the name of the wife of the king of Babylon. These gardens were created for her. The Babylonian ruler, Nebuchadnezzar II, twice giving the city to his enemy, decided to join forces with the king of Media. Having won the war, Nebuchadnezzar II and the ruler of Media divide the territory of Assyria.
To confirm the military alliance, Nebuchadnezzar II marries the daughter of the Medes king - Amitis. Amitis, who was accustomed to green gardens, was not happy with the "dusty" Babylon, and in order to console her spouse, Nebuchadnezzar builds these hanging gardens for her.
The third of the seven wonders of the world - Statue of Zeus at Olympia
This statue was made in the temple of Zeus by the brilliant architect Phidias. The temple was built much earlier than the statue itself.
It took 10 years to build only the temple, only this fact allows us to add to the list of 7 wonders of the world! The sculpture of Zeus sits on the throne, holding a scepter with a falcon in his left hand, and in his right hand a sculpture of the goddess of victory - Nika.
Temple of Artemis of Ephesus
The temple was located in the old town of Ephesus, was built in the 6th century BC. e. In 356 BC. burned by Herostratus. This temple was built for Artemis because, according to legend, she had a special gift: she could cause the growth of all vegetation, took care of animals, blessed for happiness in marriage and the birth of babies.
mausoleum in Halicarnassus
This wonder of the world was built in the middle of the 4th century BC. e. by order of the wife of Mavsol - Artemisia III.
The construction of the mausoleum began even before the death of Mavsol, for whom the monument was actually built. The wife of the Carian ruler called the most notorious architects of Greece, Satyr and Pytheas, and the most recognized architects of that time - Leochares, Skopas.
The Colossus of Rhodes
This huge statue of the ancient Greek god of the Sun Helios was located in Rhodes. The statue was created by the stately architect Hares. The height of the statue was 36 meters and was made entirely of bronze. The statue used 13 tons of bronze and 12 years of work by the architect Khares.
The seventh wonder of the world of the seven wonders of the world is the Lighthouse of Alexandria
The lighthouse was built in the 3rd century BC. e. in the Egyptian town of Alexandria. The Alexandria Lighthouse was the very first lighthouse in history. This lighthouse has stood for about a thousand years!
At the end of the 15th century, Sultan Kayt Bey built a fortress on the site of the Alexandria lighthouse, which still exists today.
That's the whole list of 7 wonders of the world or just wonders of the world.
The Seven Wonders of the World are the most ancient architectural monuments, which are rightfully considered the greatest creations of human hands. The number 7 was chosen for a reason. It belonged to Apollo and was a symbol of completeness, completeness and perfection. At the same time, the traditional genre of Hellenistic poetry was the glorification of the list of the most famous cultural figures - poets, philosophers, kings, military leaders, etc., or outstanding architectural monuments.
The first mentions of the Wonders of the World are found precisely in this era, when the victorious troops of Alexander the Great had already passed through Europe. The wide spread of Greek culture in the territories that are part of the states, which the great commander conquered, provided loud fame for individual monuments and architectural structures. But it should be noted that the "selection" of miracles took place gradually. Some names have been replaced by others, and today the list of the most magnificent works of art and architecture includes:
Briefly about everything
Historians and scholars believe that the oldest is the first attraction - Pyramids of Egypt... A distinctive feature of this Wonder of the World is that only it has survived to this day in almost its original form. The construction of the Pyramids of Giza dates back to about 1983 BC, and the largest structure of the complex is the tomb of Cheops.
The rest of the Wonders of the World were not so lucky, and only the ruins of some of them have survived to this day. For instance, Hanging Gardens of Babylon, which were created in the VI century BC, were destroyed by floods in the II century. But even the dilapidated remains of this majestic structure are breathtaking.
Statue of Zeus from Olympia, created around 435 BC. famous ancient sculptor Phidias, burned down almost a thousand years later in Constantinople. Temple of Artemis at Ephesus was erected in 550 BC, but after two centuries it was also destroyed by a powerful fire.
Halicarnassus Mausoleum created by the architect Pytheas in 351 BC. In 1494, earthquakes were recorded in southwestern Turkey, after which only the foundations and architectural fragments of the building survived. Concerning Colossus of Rhodes, built at the beginning of the 3rd century BC. Greeks, it fell as a result of a series of violent tremors somewhere between 224 and 225 BC.
Alexandrian lighthouse, built in the 3rd century BC. at the direction of the ruling Ptolemaic dynasty, is the pinnacle of engineering and technical thought of that time. The structure lasted until 1480, providing reliable lighting to the coastal waters. In the 15th century, the lighthouse was partially destroyed by an earthquake.
You can talk endlessly about each of the Seven Wonders of the World. Any schoolchild knows about them. Ancient epics and ancient legends are associated with them. Each of them is covered with a shadow of mystery and obscurity. But one thing can be said with all certainty - these are the most significant monuments of civilization of all that mankind has managed to create.
