Top 15 man-made wonders around the world you might want to know

The Taj Mahal was built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Construction began in 1632 and took approximately 15 years to complete. It is considered a symbol of eternal love between Emperor Shah Jahan and his queen, Mumtaz Mahal.

The Taj Mahal is regarded as a prime example of Mughal architecture and is recognized as a jewel of Islamic art in India. It stands as one of the most famous buildings in the world, representing India's rich historical legacy. The structure features four minarets, each over 13 stories high. After being dethroned, the emperor spent his final days gazing at the Taj Mahal through a window. Every year, over 3 million visitors come to see the Taj Mahal. In 2007, it was declared one of the world's top 10 wonders.

Machu Picchu Fortress, often referred to as the lost city of the Incas, was a royal garden and a sacred religious site for Inca rulers in the 15th and 16th centuries. A century later, Spanish invasions led to the fall of the Inca civilization.

Although forgotten for centuries, Machu Picchu regained global attention in 1911 thanks to archaeologist Hiram Bingham, who rediscovered the site and published a bestselling book about it. The fortress was designated a World Heritage Site in 1983. In 2007, it was voted one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in a worldwide internet poll.

Among the ancient wonders of Istanbul (Turkey), Hagia Sophia is the most famous. Originally constructed as an Eastern Orthodox cathedral, it later became a mosque and is now a museum. The construction of this remarkable structure was commissioned by Byzantine Emperor Justinian I in 537. It is renowned for its large dome, which is considered a quintessential example of Byzantine architecture. For nearly 1,000 years, it held the title of the world's largest cathedral until the completion of Seville Cathedral in 1520.

For almost 500 years, Hagia Sophia served as the primary mosque of Istanbul, influencing the design of many other Ottoman mosques such as the Blue Mosque, the Şehzade Mosque, the Süleymaniye Mosque, and the Rüstem Pasha Mosque.

The Chichen Itza Pyramid in Mexico is a pre-Columbian archaeological site built by the Maya civilization, located in the northern part of the Yucatán Peninsula. Historically, it was part of the Mayan civilization for nearly 1,000 years. Archaeological findings, such as evidence of burned structures, suggest that the downfall of Chichen Itza was linked to violence. After its decline, the Mayan region of Yucatán saw the rise of a new center, Mayapan, which became the dominant power in the area.

According to the American Anthropological Association, the remains of Chichen Itza are now federal property, and the management of the site is overseen by the Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia (INAH) in Mexico. However, the land beneath the structures is privately owned, as most of the land in Mexico is inherited. In the case of Chichen Itza, the archaeological site is owned by the Barbachano family.

The Colosseum, also known as the Roman Amphitheater, was constructed between 70 and 72 AD under the orders of Emperor Vespasian in the heart of Rome, Italy. It stands as one of the greatest architectural achievements in Roman history, originally known as the Flavian Amphitheatre, and was the largest arena in the Roman Empire.

The Colosseum was built to host gladiatorial contests, hunting games, and mock naval battles, with the public able to watch these events inside. At its peak, the Colosseum could accommodate up to 50,000 spectators for blood-soaked gladiatorial fights. Today, it remains one of the most iconic examples of Roman architecture still in existence.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa was originally constructed in Pisa, Italy, starting in 1173. It stands at 55.86 meters tall on the lower side and 56.70 meters on the higher side. The tower’s walls are 4.09 meters thick at the base, tapering to just 2.48 meters at the top, and the entire structure weighs around 14,500 tons. What many don’t realize is that the tower began to lean during its construction due to settling ground. To stabilize the structure and prevent further tilting, various geotechnical methods were implemented, preserving the tower's current state. The Leaning Tower of Pisa is not only a masterpiece of architecture but also a captivating sight because of its tilt, drawing millions of tourists each year to Pisa.

When visiting the tower, tourists are divided into groups of 30 people. The tour lasts for 30 minutes, with no breaks. Guides lead visitors through a series of exercises to prepare them for the climb of 300 slanted steps without getting dizzy. The final entryway is narrow, which can be difficult for taller visitors. Children under 8 are not allowed to enter, and those under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Bags must be left at the bottom, though cameras and video recorders are permitted.

The Roman Baths are a remarkable architectural site located in Somerset, offering a well-preserved example of a Roman public bathhouse. The baths were built atop an earlier destroyed structure and have undergone several reconstructions over the centuries, with the most recent renovation occurring in the 1800s. These ancient baths now serve as a popular tourist destination, attracting over a million visitors annually. However, guests are only permitted to explore the museum and the bathhouse; swimming in the waters is not allowed.

These early baths utilized heat techniques to warm the water, allowing for increased usage during colder months. Initially, Roman engineers heated the water in storage tanks using coal or lead pots before channeling the hot water into the main pools. Over time, the heating system became more advanced, incorporating wood-burning furnaces beneath the floors. The intense heat from these furnaces would circulate warm air through narrow stone pipes beneath the floor and the pool walls. The area above was covered with 60cm square tiles, decorated with intricate mosaics. Roman architects also pioneered the use of glass in windows to maximize solar heat gain.

The Palm Islands in Dubai consist of three man-made islands: Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali, and Palm Deira, developed by Nakheel Properties, a real estate company in the United Arab Emirates. Designed in the shape of a palm tree with 16 branches, the islands' longest branches stretch up to 800 meters. They are surrounded by crescent-shaped barriers that extend over 11 kilometers, serving as wave-breakers. The islands feature residential areas shaped like palm trees, surrounded by crescent-shaped rings, with numerous entertainment centers and residential spaces.

The islands were commissioned by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to enhance Dubai's tourism industry. The development will add 520 kilometers of beachfront to the city, with the islands situated offshore in the Persian Gulf, extending Dubai's coastline.

The Sagrada Familia Basilica was first conceived in 1882, and after 135 years, it remains unfinished due to the complexity and cost of the design. This masterpiece by Spanish architect Antoni Gaudí follows a Neo-Gothic style and is one of the most impressive and unique Catholic churches in the world.

Key parts of the basilica, such as the western Holy Family chapel, central towers, and the Jesus tower, which is the tallest, are still under construction. According to National Geographic, over 3 million visitors come each year to admire this remarkable and one-of-a-kind structure. The basilica is expected to be completed by 2026, coinciding with the 100th anniversary of Gaudí's death, marking a tribute to his vision and legacy.

The Golden Gate Bridge is the second longest suspension bridge in the United States, famous for its stunning beauty. It connects San Francisco with Marin County. Construction began on January 5, 1933, and the bridge was completed on May 27, 1937. Stretching over 1,300 meters, it was built at a cost of 35 million USD.

In 2007, the Golden Gate Bridge was ranked 5th among the most beloved architectural structures in the United States by the American Institute of Architects. It has since become one of the most photographed landmarks in the world. For movie enthusiasts, the Golden Gate Bridge often makes an appearance in films, symbolizing the United States.

The Panama Canal is the primary waterway for ships crossing through the isthmus of Panama in Central America, connecting the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. Known as one of the most beautiful canals in the world, it stretches nearly 80 kilometers, running from Panama City on the Pacific coast to Colon on the Atlantic coast. The Panama Canal, a man-made marvel, revolutionized shipping and travel by linking the two oceans across a narrow strip of land in Panama. The canal was constructed by the Americans between 1904 and 1914, making it one of the largest and most extensive construction projects in history.

The canal accommodates ships ranging from small private yachts to relatively large commercial vessels. The maximum size of ships that can pass through the canal is known as Panamax. With increasing modern ships exceeding these limits, the term Post-Panamax is now used to refer to those larger vessels. A typical cargo ship transit through the canal takes about 9 hours. In 2005, a total of 14,011 ships passed through, carrying 278.8 million tons, averaging almost 40 ships per day.

The Akashi Kaikyō Bridge, also known as the Pearl Bridge, is one of Japan's iconic suspension bridges. Spanning the Akashi Strait, it connects Maiko in Kobe with Iwaya on Awaji Island, forming part of the Honshu-Shikoku Highway. At the time of its completion, it held the record for the longest suspension bridge span in the world, measuring an impressive 3,911 meters in length.

Designed with elegance and built to withstand earthquakes up to a magnitude of 8.5 on the Richter scale, with epicenters as far as 150 km away, the bridge can endure winds of up to 286 km/h (178 mph). The two towers of the bridge rise to a height of 298 meters (978 feet). This bridge has not only made travel between Honshu and Shikoku more convenient but has also helped mitigate the impact of powerful storms that used to disrupt this region. Additionally, the Akashi Kaikyō Bridge has contributed significantly to the local economy, offering more direct access to industrial and economic centers in the Kansai region, surpassing even the Seto Ohashi Bridge in importance.

The Great Wall of China, stretching along the northern border of China, is regarded as one of the seven new wonders of the world. It holds the distinction of being the longest man-made structure on Earth, with an estimated length of 8,850 km. The wall's construction dates back to the 5th century BC, with the most famous section being built around 200 BC under the orders of the first Emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang. This section consists of a series of fortifications designed to protect China from invasions by the Xiongnu, Mongols, Turks, and other nomadic tribes from regions that now belong to Mongolia and Manchuria.

The Great Wall also served multiple purposes, including border control, levying taxes on goods transported along the Silk Road, regulating and encouraging trade, and managing immigration. Additionally, the defensive features of the wall were reinforced with watchtowers, military barracks, garrison stations, and signaling systems using smoke or fire to alert nearby troops of approaching invaders. In fact, the Wall itself also served as an important transportation corridor.

The Ancient City of Petra is an archaeological site located in the southwestern part of Jordan. Famous for its rock-cut architecture and water conduit system, Petra remained hidden from the Western world for centuries until it was rediscovered by Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt in 1812. The city features intricate tunnels, water cisterns, and an amphitheater that could accommodate around 4,000 people. In 1985, it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is described as one of humanity's most treasured cultural assets. In 2007, Petra was also named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, becoming one of the most visited tourist destinations in Jordan.

Petra is often referred to as the "Rose City" due to the color of its stone, and John William Burgon famously described it in his award-winning Newdigate poem, calling it a city that "has lived half the age of time." Interestingly, Burgon had never visited Petra, a place that remained largely inaccessible to Europeans until after World War I when it became reachable only with the help of local guides and armed escorts.

The Christ the Redeemer Statue stands tall on top of Mount Corcovado in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, reaching a height of 38 meters. Made of reinforced concrete, limestone, and soapstone, the statue was completed in 1931 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Brazil's independence. Recognized as the most famous Christ statue in the world, it is also the largest Art Deco structure globally. With its arms wide open as if embracing the city below, the statue has become a symbol of Christianity, peace, and the hospitality of the Brazilian people.

A major restoration of the statue took place in 2010, which included cleaning, replacing the mortar and soapstone covering, restoring the internal iron structure, and waterproofing the monument.