Wonders of the world
The wonders of the world comprise some of the spectacular natural
wonders and man-made structures which are and rare to find. These
exclusive sites and locales are arranged chronologically according to
the level of beauty and magnificence they portray. This week we bring
some information of the 'Old seven wonders of the world' and the 'New
seven wonders of the World'.
Modern Seven Wonders of the World
It is in the nature of human race to strive for perfection and the
various creations of mankind are proof of this insatiable human desire
to reach for the summit of the ideal and aspire for the heights of
glory. Since time immemorial, man has attempted to give expression to
the artistic aspect of his mind through the creation of awe-inspiring
architectures that is still a source of amazement and wonder for the
modern generation. Time and again, humans have referred to some such
astounding man-made structures as "wonder of the world". In 2001 the
Swiss corporation New7Wonders Foundation began an initiative to choose
the New Seven Wonders of the World from a selection of 200 monuments for
profit. Of the twenty-one nominated creations, seven were chosen on July
7, 2007 in Benfica's stadium in a big ceremony in Lisbon, Portugal.
Colosseum, Rome -Italy
The Colosseum of Rome is considered to be one of the greatest pieces
of Roman architecture. A marvellous specimen of Roman engineering, the
Colosseum is an elliptical amphitheatre situated in the centre of Rome.
The biggest amphitheatre ever to be built in Rome, it has a capacity of
50,000 spectators and was primarily used for gladiatorial contests,
royal speeches and dramatic performances. The construction of the
Colosseum began between 70 and 72 AD under the emperor Vespasian and
ended in in 80 AD during the regin of Titus.
Taj Mahal, Agra -India
One of the most popular Indian tourist spots and a world attraction,
the Taj Mahal is a mausoleum located in Agra, India. Constructed of
pure-white marble, this exquisite piece of Islamic arcitecture was
created under the orders of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan who dedicated
it to his departed wife, Mumtaz Mahal.
The domed memorial is flanked by two red sandstone buildings, a
mosque on one side and an identical building on another. It contains the
sarcophagus of Mumtaz Mahal as well as Shah Jahan.
Mausoleum at Halicarnassus
The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus served as the burial tomb for King
Mausolus. The King married his sister Artemisia. After the King passed
away. Temisia ordered the building of the tomb in his memory.
Temple of Artemis
The Temple of Artemis is located on the west coast of modern Turkey,
south of Selcuk county about 50 km south of Smyrna. This place was
called Ephesus during ancient times. The God Artemis in Ephesus is a
goddess of fertility. This earliest temple supposedly contained a sacred
stone, probably fallen from Jupiter
Christ the Redeemer, Rio de Janeiro
Undoubtedly a modern marvel, "Christ
the Redeemer" O Cristo Redentor in Portuguese) is a statue of Jesus
Christ that weighs 635 tons, stands 98 ft (30 m) wide and 120 ft (38 m)
high with its pedestal. Constructed of reinforced concrete and
soapstone, this wonderful piece of architecture is located in Rio de
Janeiro, Brazil, at the top of the Corcovado mountain (2,300 ft) in the
Tijuca Forest National Park overlooking the city. It was in 1921 that
the Catholic Circle of Rio proposed for the construction of the statue
which recieved acceptance
The statue of Greek god Zeus
The statue of the Greek god Zeus at Olympia, one of the world's
greatest statues, was created in about 450 BC by the renowned Greek
sculptor Phidias. It is in honour of this god that the Ancient Olympic
games were held. During those times truce is declared and wars are
stopped. Players and athletes from all over the places travelled to a
place in Greece called Peloponnesus. These Olympic games were started
during 776 BC
The Great Pyramid of Giza
The Great Pyramid of Giza (also called the Pyramid of Khufu and the
Pyramid of Cheops) is the oldest and largest of the three pyramids in
the Giza Necropoli, Egypt. It is the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the
Ancient World, and the only one to remain largely intact. It is believed
the pyramid was built as a tomb for fourth dynasty Egyptian Pharaoh
Khufu (Cheops in Greek) and constructed over a 20-year period concluding
around 2560 BC.The Great Pyramid was the tallest man-made structure in
the world for over 3,800 years.
The light house of Alexandria
This light house of Alexandria was one of the wonders among all the
seven wonders of the world, which was constructed to serve a practical
purpose. Besides being a marvelous example of architectural elegance, it
ensured a safe return for the sailors to the Great Harbor.
Petra, Jordan
The most popular spot of Jordan, the Petra is an ancient rock city
that contains about 800 magnificient rock structures including a
mausoleum, a two-storeyed temple, a shrine, a palace, general dwellings
and a royal treasury - the "Khazneh el-Farun" - which is the most
popular of all the bulidings.
Chichen Itza, Yucatan
One of the top tourist hotspots in the world, Chichen Itza is the
most famous temple city built in Yucatan, Mexico by the Maya
civilisation. This impressive archaeological site served as the
political and economic centre of the Mayan civilisation and rose to
prominence in 600 AD.
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