Top 7 New Wonders of the World

Machu Picchu (pronounced in Quechua: [ˈmɐt͡ʃʊ ˈpɪkt͡ʃʊ], literally: 'Old Mountain' or 'Ancient Mountain') is an Inca town built with glistening granite stones, nestled between two towering peaks of the Andes mountain range around the 15th century. The ruins are located on the eastern slope of the southern Andes in Peru, above the Sacred Valley at 2,430 meters above sea level. Machu Picchu is within the administrative region of Cuzco, specifically in the Machupicchu district of the Urubamba province, about 80 kilometers northwest of the city of Cuzco. The Urubamba River cuts through the site, creating a canyon with a tropical climate. Scholars consider Machu Picchu a sacred archaeological center near the capital of the Inca civilization, Cusco. Built during the peak of the Inca Empire in the mid-1400s, the mountaintop citadel was eventually abandoned by the Incas.

The site remained unknown to the outside world until 1911, when it was rediscovered by archaeologist Hiram Bingham. Visitors can only reach it by hiking, train, or helicopter, with most tourists traveling by train from the nearby city of Cusco. In 1981, Machu Picchu was declared a Historical Sanctuary of Peru, and in 1983, it was recognized by UNESCO as part of the Machu Picchu Historical Sanctuary World Heritage Site. On July 7, 2007, Machu Picchu was voted one of the New Seven Wonders of the World through a global online poll.

One of Brazil's most iconic landmarks, the Art Deco-style statue of Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro is also one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. The credit for constructing the statue goes to French sculptor Paul Landowski, while Romanian sculptor Gheorghe Leonida was responsible for designing the face. The Christ the Redeemer statue stands 29.87 meters tall, with a pedestal of 7.92 meters, and its arms stretch 28.04 meters wide. Weighing 635 tons, the statue is made of soapstone and concrete and is located atop Corcovado Mountain, which rises 701 meters above sea level. The statue was built between 1922 and 1931.

The idea of constructing a large statue atop Corcovado was first proposed in the mid-1850s when Father Pedro Maria Boss suggested a Christian monument to honor Princess Isabel. However, when Brazil became a republic in 1889, the idea was abandoned, along with the separation of church and state.

The proposal for a scenic statue on Corcovado was revived in 1920 by a group of Rio's Christian community. They organized an event called Semana do Monumento ('Monument Week') to raise funds and gather support for the project. Most of the donations came from the faithful. The original design for the 'Christ' statue included symbols of the cross, a statue of Jesus holding the world in His hands, and a pedestal representing the Earth. The image of Christ with His arms outstretched was chosen as a symbol of peace.

Recognized as a World Heritage Site in 1985 and described as 'one of humanity's most valuable cultural assets,' Petra was the capital of the Nabataean Kingdom under King Aretas IV from 9 BCE to 40 CE. The people of this ancient civilization were pioneers in water management, constructing intricate tunnels and reservoirs that turned the region into a man-made oasis.

Petra is famous for its rock-cut architecture, with numerous statues carved directly into the cliffs. This hidden city remained largely unknown until Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt revealed it to the Western world in 1812. It was later immortalized in John William Burgon's Newdigate Prize-winning sonnet, where he described it as 'a rose-red city half as old as time.' Despite never having visited Petra himself, Burgon captured the city's allure. It wasn't until after World War I that Europeans could visit Petra with the help of local guides and armed escorts.

In ancient times, Petra could be accessed from the south via a route through Saudi Arabia and Jabal Haroun (Mount Aaron) or from the north via highland roads. Today, most visitors enter from the east through a narrow and steep gorge known as the Siq, which is only 3-4 meters wide in places, creating a dramatic and almost mystical entrance.

The Great Wall of China, literally meaning 'the wall that stretches for ten thousand miles,' is a series of fortifications built using earth and stone that span thousands of kilometers from east to west. Constructed between the 5th century BCE and the 16th century, the wall was designed to protect China from invasions by the Xiongnu, Mongols, Turks, and other nomadic tribes from regions now part of Mongolia and Manchuria. Some sections of the wall date back to the 5th century BCE, but it was under the first emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang, that large-scale construction began in 220-200 BCE. Only remnants of those early sections remain today. The most famous and widely visited parts of the wall were built during the Ming dynasty (1368-1644).

Today, the Great Wall is a major global tourist attraction, renowned for its incredible length, uniqueness, and historical significance. UNESCO recognized it as a World Heritage Site in 1987.

Beyond its defensive purpose, the Great Wall also served other roles, including border control, tax collection on goods transported along the Silk Road, and regulation or encouragement of trade. Its defensive features were enhanced with the construction of watchtowers, military barracks, signal stations, and systems to alert of incoming threats via smoke or fire signals. The wall also doubled as a transportation corridor for trade and military movements.

The Taj Mahal is renowned worldwide for its historical significance, the love story behind its creation, and its breathtaking beauty. Located in the historic city of Agra, India, it houses the tomb of Mumtaz Mahal, the wife of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. Legend says that the emperor, devastated by her death, built the Taj Mahal as an eternal symbol of his love for her. Construction of the Taj Mahal was completed in 1632, with the project costing the equivalent of $827 million USD today. In 1983, it was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and now attracts 7 to 8 million visitors annually.

The Taj Mahal is generally regarded as the finest example of Mughal architecture, blending elements from Persian, Turkish, Indian, and Islamic architectural styles. While the iconic white marble dome is the most striking feature, the structure as a whole is a harmonious fusion of various architectural influences. It was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1983 and is described as a 'masterpiece universally admired among the world’s cultural heritage.' The construction of the Taj Mahal was overseen by a council of architects, under the supervision of the royal court.

When you think of Rome, the first landmark that likely comes to mind is the Colosseum. Sometimes referred to as the Flavian Amphitheater, it was constructed between 72 and 80 AD and remained in use for nearly 500 years. With a capacity of about 80,000 spectators, the Colosseum hosted a wide variety of public spectacles, including naval battles, animal hunts, reenactments of famous battles, executions, and mythological performances. Though earthquakes and stone thieves have left the Colosseum in ruins, it remains a major tourist attraction, and its design continues to influence the construction of modern theaters, nearly 2,000 years later. Today, this world wonder stands as a symbol of Imperial Rome.

Originally known as the Amphitheatrum Flavium in Latin or Anfiteatro Flavio in Italian, the Colosseum was a grand arena in the heart of Rome. Upon completion, it could seat 50,000 spectators. The arena was primarily used for gladiatorial combat and public exhibitions featuring slaves, many of whom were prisoners of war. Construction began around 70-80 AD during the reign of Emperor Vespasian and was completed in 80 AD under his successor, Titus. The Colosseum underwent several modifications under Emperor Domitian.

The magnificent ruins of Chichen Itza stand as a testament to the vibrant history of the Maya civilization. Once a powerful hub for trade in textiles, slaves, honey, and salt, this city flourished between 800 and 1200 AD and became the political and economic heart of the Maya world. One of the most iconic structures at the site is El Caracol, a sophisticated astronomical observatory.

Chichen Itza showcases a variety of architectural styles, ranging from the 'Mexican style' and the influences seen in central Mexico, to the Puuc style found in the northern lowlands of the Maya region. While earlier scholars suggested that these non-Maya styles pointed to direct migration or conquest from central Mexico, more recent theories propose that these influences reflect cultural diffusion.

Archaeological evidence, including traces of burnt buildings, suggests that the downfall of Chichen Itza was linked to violence. After its decline, a new regional power emerged in Yucatán, shifting the center of power to Mayapan.