Seven Wonders of the World - photos and descriptions of the great mysteries of history. Interesting facts about the seven wonders of the world (8 photos)

The Seven Wonders of the World are the oldest monuments of architecture, 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, generals, etc., or outstanding architectural monuments.

The first mention of the Wonders of the World occurs precisely in this era, when the victorious troops of Alexander the Great had already passed through Europe. The widespread distribution of Greek culture in the territories that are part of the states that he conquered great commander, provided high-profile fame to individual monuments and architectural structures. But it should be noted that the "selection" of miracles occurred 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 Some names have been replaced by others, and today the list of the most magnificent works of art and architecture includes: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 scientists believe that the first attraction is the most ancient - Egyptian pyramids . 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 approximately 1983 BC, and the largest building 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. Eg, 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. by the 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 strong fire.

Halicarnassus Mausoleum created by the architect Pytheas in 351 BC. In 1494, earthquakes were noted in southwestern Turkey, after which only the foundations and architectural fragments of the structure were preserved. Concerning Colossus of Rhodes, built at the beginning of the III century BC. Greeks, then it fell as a result of a series of strong tremors somewhere between 224 and 225 BC.

Alexandrian lighthouse, built in the III 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 for coastal waters. In the 15th century, the lighthouse was partially destroyed by an earthquake.

One can talk endlessly about each of the Seven Wonders of the World. Every student knows about them. Ancient epics and ancient legends are associated with them. Each of them is covered with a shadow of mystery and suspense. But one thing can be said with all confidence - these are the most significant monuments of civilization of all that mankind has managed to create.

Last week, I went to visit my mother, and found my old children's encyclopedia "7 Wonders of the World" with her, leafed through with nostalgia, and eventually decided to make a post about the wonders of the world, because today there are much more than 7 wonders of the world.

To begin with, I propose to recall these "7 wonders" of antiquity.

The only miracle that has survived to this day. Construction, which lasted twenty years, began around 2560 BC. e. Excavation data from January 2010 support the theory that the pyramids were built by civilian workers. Up to 10 thousand people were employed at the construction site at the same time, while the workers worked in shifts of three months. It is the oldest and largest of the three pyramids of the Giza necropolis.

Initially, the pyramid of Cheops rose to 147 meters, but due to the advance of the sands, its height decreased to 137 meters.

The pyramid of Cheops consists of 2,300,000 cubic limestone blocks with smoothly polished sides. Each block weighs an average of 2.5 tons, and the heaviest one weighs 15 tons, total weight pyramids - 5.7 million tons.

Confirmation of the inexplicably high knowledge of the Egyptians in the field of astronomy and civil engineering is the location of the Cheops pyramid in relation to the cardinal points: the pyramid almost unmistakably points to the true north. As a result of the most accurate measurements carried out in 1925, it was established incredible fact: The error in its position is only 3 minutes 6 seconds.

The area of the base of the pyramid is comparable to the area of 10 football fields.

You can talk for a long time about the pyramids shrouded in myths and legends, their labyrinths and traps, mummies and treasures, but let's leave it to the Egyptologists. For us, the pyramid of Cheops is one of the greatest structures of mankind throughout its existence and, of course, the only First Wonder of the World that has survived from the depths of centuries.

Hanging Gardens of Babylon (Babylon)

The city ceased to exist long ago, but even today the ruins testify to its grandeur. In the 7th century BC. Babylon was the largest and richest city of the Ancient East. There were many amazing buildings in Babylon, but the hanging gardens of the royal palace were most striking - gardens that have become a legend.

the famous "hanging gardens" were created not by Semiramis and not even during her reign, but later, in honor of another - not legendary - woman. They were built by order of King Nebuchadnezzar for his beloved wife Amitis, the Median princess, who yearned for the green hills of Media in dusty Babylon.

This king, who destroyed city after city and even entire states, built a lot in Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar turned the capital into an impregnable stronghold and surrounded himself with luxury, unparalleled even in those days.

The design of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon was a pyramid with a base (43x35 meters), which consisted of four tiers, mounted on twenty-five-meter columns. The surface of each tier was covered with a layer of reeds (reeds), stone blocks fastened with gypsum and lead plates, on which a thick layer of fertile soil was poured. All these measures helped to preserve water for plants for as long as possible, which was not at all plentiful in Babylon.

The height of the structure was almost thirty meters! Trees, flowers, soil - all this was brought in carts pulled by bulls. Water was supplied through pipes from the Euphrates River. For this, hundreds of slaves turned a huge wheel installed in one of the towers around the clock.

Zeus statue in Olympia

The statue of Olympian Zeus is the work of Phidias. An outstanding work of ancient sculpture, one of the seven wonders of the world. She was in the temple of Olympian Zeus, in Olympia, a city in the region of Elis. The construction of the temple took about 10 years. But the statue of Zeus did not appear in it immediately. The Greeks decided to invite the famous Athenian sculptor Phidias to create a statue of Zeus.

Ancient Roman sculpture "Seated Zeus", Phidias type. Hermitage Gold was covered with a cape that covered part of the body of Zeus, a scepter with an eagle, which he held in his left hand, a statue of the goddess of victory - Nike, which he held in right hand and a wreath of olive branches on Zeus's head. Zeus's feet rested on a bench supported by two lions. The reliefs of the throne glorified, first of all, Zeus himself. Four dancing Nikes were depicted on the legs of the throne. Also depicted were centaurs, lapiths, the exploits of Theseus and Hercules, frescoes depicting the battle of the Greeks with the Amazons. The base of the statue was 6 meters wide and 1 meter high. The height of the entire statue, together with the pedestal, was, according to various sources, from 12 to 17 meters. Zeus's eyes were the size of a grown man's fist.

Temple of Artemis of Ephesus (Ephesus)

A few hundred years before our era, when Ephesus was at the zenith of its glory, the inhabitants decided to build a large temple. By that time, the city was already about 600 years old, it was rich and powerful, it grew and prospered under the auspices of the goddess Artemis, the sister of Apollo and the daughter of Zeus - known in Roman mythology as Diana the huntress. Artemis was also considered the goddess of the moon and helped women in childbirth.

A place for a new, majestic and grandiose temple in the part of the goddess was chosen as a holy place - even in ancient times religious rituals took place there. The townspeople decided not to spare either money or time, and besides, they attracted wealthy construction sponsors from other regions of the country.

The finished temple was magnificent, and constantly decorated with new decorative elements - after all, Ephesus was a very rich city. Historical data are contradictory, but it is mentioned that there were many bronze statues in the temple, the interior was decorated with gold and silver, the statue of the goddess herself was made of ivory and gold, and trimmed with ebony.

It is noteworthy that in those days the temple was not only a religious building, but also a financial and business center. The souvenir business also flourished: not far from the temple, original souvenirs were successfully sold - its reduced copies. Scientists have not yet figured out which temple was considered a wonder of the world - rebuilt or burned by Herostratus

mausoleum in Halicarnassus

The Mausoleum in Halicarnassus is a wonderful monument of ancient Greek architectural art, which entered the history of ancient culture as one of the seven wonders of the Ancient World. Our contemporaries believe that the mausoleum is the tomb of the great leaders.

The builders placed the tomb in the periptera - a building framed by a colonnade of 11-meter columns. It took 36 columns to support the roof of the mausoleum. The gaps between the columns were filled with various statues of mythological figures, and the roof looked like a stepped pyramid with 24 steps. Its crown was a marble quadriga, that is, an ancient chariot with four horses harnessed to it. Huge statues of Mausolus and Artemisia, who played the role of drivers, were placed in the chariot. This magnificent sculpture reached a height of 6 m. In the room of the tomb there were marble sarcophagi intended for the royal couple. The foot of the mausoleum was decorated with sculptures of horsemen and marble lions.

In general, the history of the Halicarnassus mausoleum is rich in events. At one time, he survived the conquest of the city by Alexander the Great, and even withstood the attack of pirates who coveted Halicarnassus at the beginning of the 1st century. However, after the Maltese attacked the mausoleum and took stone and marble slabs from it, only the foundation remained of the majestic structure.

Colossus of Rhodes (Rhodes)

The colossus was a giant statue that stood in a port city on Rhodes, an island in the Aegean Sea, off the coast of modern Turkey. In ancient times, the people of Rhodes wanted to be independent merchants.

The colossus grew on the shore of the harbor on an artificial hill lined with white marble. For twelve years, no one saw the statue, because as soon as another belt of bronze sheets was attached to the frame, the embankment surrounding the colossus was poured in, so that it would be more convenient for the craftsmen to climb up. And only when the mound was removed, the Rhodians saw their patron god, whose head was decorated with a radiant crown.

The sparkling god was visible for many kilometers from Rhodes, and soon the rumor about him spread throughout the ancient world. But half a century later, a strong earthquake that destroyed Rhodes knocked the colossus to the ground, the knees were the most vulnerable spot of the statue. This is where the expression "colossus with feet of clay" comes from.

So it lay on the shore of the colossus bay - the main tourist attraction of the island. The defeated giant was seen by Pliny the Elder, who came there in the first century AD. Pliny was most struck by the fact that only a few people could wrap their arms around thumb statues.

The colossus lying on the ground was overgrown with cobwebs and legends. In eyewitness accounts, he seemed much larger than he really was. Legends appeared in Roman literature that it originally towered over the entrance to the harbor and was so large that ships passed between its legs to the city.

Lighthouse of Alexandria (Pharos)

Lighthouse of Alexandria (Faros lighthouse) - one of the seven ancient wonders of the world, was erected in the III century BC. e. on the small island of Faros off the coast of the Egyptian city of Alexandria. It was a busy port founded by Alexander the Great during his visit to Egypt in 332 BC. e.

The lighthouse of Alexandria was the world's first lighthouse and the only one of the seven wonders of the world that served a practical purpose, helping ships safely navigate the reefs on their way to the bay of Alexandria. The lighthouse, according to various estimates, rose to a height of 120 to 140 meters, and the light that it emitted could be seen at a distance of up to 60 km.

The lighthouse stood for almost a thousand years, but by the XII century AD. e., the Alexandrian bay was so silted up that the ships could no longer use it and the lighthouse fell into disrepair. Abandoned, he stood for some time, until in 796 AD. e. it was not destroyed by the earthquake. At the end of the XV century. Sultan Kait-bey erected a fortress on the site of the lighthouse from the wreckage, which was subsequently rebuilt more than once.

These are the miracles that were described in my book. The same ones: 7 miracles. But time does not stand still, and now there are many more such miracles. It seems to me that they are also worthy of our attention ...

New 7 wonders of the world

Great Wall of China (China)

The Great Wall of China is one of the oldest architectural monuments in China and a symbol of the power of Chinese civilization. Probably, there is not a single civilized person in the world who has not heard about the Great Wall of China. It stretches from the Liaodong Gulf northeast of Beijing through Northern China to the Gobi Desert.

Construction lasted 10 years and faced numerous difficulties. The main problem was the lack of appropriate infrastructure for construction: there were no roads, there was no adequate water and food for those involved in the work, while their number reached 300 thousand people, and the total number of builders involved in Qin reached, according to some estimates, 2 million. Slaves, soldiers, peasants were involved in the construction. As a result of epidemics and overwork, at least tens of thousands of people died. Resentment at the mobilization to build the wall caused popular uprisings and was one of the reasons for the fall of the Qin Dynasty.

Probably, not a single creation of human hands strikes the imagination as much as the Great Wall of China - the most grandiose and longest architectural and fortification structure on the planet. The wall is not just impressive - it is stunning. First of all, the titanic labor invested in it and its transcendental dimensions. Truly, only the Chinese, organized and industrious as ants, could endure such a thing. In China, they say that a good half of their history falls on the Great Wall of China - it was built by different generations and dynasties for more than two thousand years, all the country's wars are somehow connected with it.

Statue of Christ the Redeemer (Rio de Janeiro)

One of the most famous statues in the world and certainly the most recognizable in Brazil is the statue of Christ the Redeemer. Installed on Mount Corcovado at an altitude of more than 700 meters, with outstretched arms in a blessing gesture, it looks at the huge city below it. The statue of Christ in Rio de Janeiro, due to its fame, attracts millions of tourists to Mount Corcovado. From its height, a beautiful view of the ten-millionth city with its bays, beaches, the Maracanã stadium opens up.

The height of the statue is 38 m, including the pedestal - 8 m; arm span - 28 m. Weight - 1145 tons. Being the highest point of the district, the statue regularly (on average, four times a year) becomes the target of lightning. The Catholic Diocese specially stores a stock of the stone from which the statue was erected in order to restore parts of the statue damaged by lightning.

The statue of Christ the Redeemer is without a doubt one of the main symbols not only of Rio de Janeiro, but of the whole of Brazil. The statue is visited by many tourists every year. Mount Corcovado experiences a particularly large influx of visitors during the traditional annual carnival, which is held in Rio de Janeiro. Definitely, this grandiose monument is one of the greatest sculptures in the world.

Colosseum (Rome)

amphitheatre, listed building ancient rome, the most famous and one of the most grandiose structures ancient world that have survived to our time. It is located in Rome, in a hollow between the Esquiline, Palatine and Caelievsky hills.

The construction of the largest amphitheater of the entire ancient world, with a capacity of over 50 thousand people, was carried out for eight years, as a collective construction of the emperors of the Flavian dynasty. It began to be built in 72 AD. under the emperor Vespasian, and in 80 AD. the amphitheater was consecrated by Emperor Titus. The amphitheater is located in the place where there was a pond that belonged to the Golden House of Nero.

For a long time, the Colosseum was for the inhabitants of Rome and visitors the main place of entertainment spectacles, such as gladiator fights, animal persecution, naval battles.

The opening of the Colosseum was marked by 100 days of entertainment events. During this time, several thousand warriors and 5 thousand predatory animals brought from Africa died in gladiatorial tournaments. The arena of the theater had a sliding floor that rose and fell, and with the help of a water pipe connected to the Colosseum, the stage was filled with water and naval battles were arranged. Up to 3,000 gladiators could fight in the arena at the same time, and 50,000 spectators, furiously demanding "bread and circuses", intensely watched bloody battles, chariot races and theatrical performances. In terms of the scope of the celebrations dedicated to the opening of the Colosseum, only the bloodily celebrated 1000th anniversary of Rome in 248 could be compared, when dozens of lions, tigers, leopards, elephants, giraffes, horses, donkeys and hyenas were killed in just 3 days. The 1000th anniversary of the "eternal city" was the last day of life for 2000 gladiators.

Machu Picchu (Peru)

The city of ancient America, located on the territory of modern Peru. Also, Machu Picchu is often called the "city in the sky" or "the city among the clouds", sometimes called the "lost city of the Incas". This city was created as a sacred mountain haven by the great Inca ruler Pachacutec a century before the conquest of his empire, that is, approximately in 1440, and functioned until 1532, when the Spaniards invaded the territory of the Inca empire. In 1532, all its inhabitants mysteriously disappeared.

Due to its modest size, Machu Picchu cannot claim to be a large city - it has no more than 200 buildings. These are mainly temples, residences, warehouses and other premises for public needs. For the most part they are built of well-worked stone, slabs tightly fitted to each other. It is believed that up to 1200 people lived in and around it, who worshiped the sun god Inti there and cultivated crops on the terraces. For more than 400 years, this city was forgotten and abandoned.

Machu Picchu, especially after receiving the UNESCO World Heritage status, has become a center of mass tourism. In 2011, it was decided to limit the number of visitors. According to the new rules, only 2,500 tourists per day can visit Machu Picchu, of which no more than 400 people can climb Mount Wayna Picchu, which is part of the archaeological complex. In order to preserve the monument, UNESCO demands to reduce the number of tourists per day to 800. Machu Picchu is located in a remote region.

City of Petra (Jordan)

The city of Petra in Jordan is located in the heart of the desert. This place is the heritage of ancient culture. Built over two thousand years ago, it is of great value to admirers of ancient architecture and art. This ancient miracle city stretches along a winding valley formed among the rocks, on a site that was a riverbed in ancient times. Steps carved into the rocks lead to an innumerable number of structures - monuments, necropolises, reservoirs, altars. More than eight hundred monuments of Petra have survived to this day.

The structures of Petra that have survived to this day include temples carved into the rocks, dwellings, tombs, reservoirs, aqueducts and altars. If you approach the city along the es-Sik gorge, the first large monument that opens your eyes is el-Khazneh - a temple located in a solid rock with a two-tiered facade approx. 20 m

The mysterious people who reached unattainable architectural heights are the Nabataeans. Without exaggeration, we can say that the best reminder that they left about themselves to their descendants and which speaks about them better than any annals is the pink rocky masterpiece blown by the winds, hidden by them among impregnable mountains.

Pyramid of Kukulkan (Mexico)

25 meters high with nine levels, located in the center of a large square. The base of the pyramid is a square with sides of 55.5 meters. On each side of the pyramid there are four wide staircases, each of which has 91 steps. And these stairs lead to the upper platform on which the temple is located.

The northern staircase of the pyramid ends with snake heads - the symbol of Kukulkan, because in translation from the Mayan language, kukulkan is a feathered serpent.

The light show starts at 5:15 p.m. Sun rays when going around the ledges of the pyramid on the days of the equinox, the play of light and shadows draws the image of the revived ancient god. This effect lasts for 3 hours and 22 minutes. The sun descends and the image becomes clearer. Soon there are seven bends of the body of the Solar Serpent - they are formed by the shadows of the seven ledges of the pyramid. The sun goes down - the kite slides down, lower and lower. And below, at the foot of the pyramid, the head of the image coincides with the real, stone sculptured head of the snake, which ends with the northern staircase of the pyramid.

The ancient builders of the Mayan tribe were simply brilliant, having managed at that time to calculate the parameters so accurately and arranging the walls of the pyramid strictly to the cardinal points. The pyramid of Kukulkan has some astronomical significance. Each of her stairs has 91 steps, and the total number of steps is 364, plus the upper step-platform at the base of the temple, the total is 365 - the number corresponding to the number of days in a year. And the side parts of the building are divided according to the number of months in the Mayan calendar - into eighteen sections.

Taj Mahal (India)

The Taj Mahal is a mausoleum-mosque located in Agra, India, on the banks of the Jumna River (probably architects Ustad-Isa and others). Built by order of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal, who died in childbirth (later Shah Jahan himself was buried here). Although the mausoleum's white marble dome is the most prominent component, the Taj Mahal is a structurally integrated complex. The building began to be built around 1632 and completed in 1653, thousands of artisans and craftsmen worked. The direction of the construction of the Taj Mahal was entrusted to a Council of Architects under imperial control, including Abd ul-Karim Mamoor Khan, Makramat Khan and Ustad Ahmad Lahauri. Lakhauri is usually considered the chief designer.

Majestic, divine, radiant, and, despite its 74-meter height, so light and airy that it is like a fairy-tale dream, the Taj Mahal mausoleum rises in the valley of the Yamuna River - the most beautiful architectural creation of India, and, perhaps, of the whole earth ... White marble domes rush high into the sky - one large and four small, in the chaste outlines of which one can guess the female forms. Reflected in the immovable surface of the artificial canal, the Taj Mahal seems to be floating in front of us, showing an example of extraterrestrial beauty and perfect harmony… But not only the architectural perfection attracts millions of travelers from all over the world to the Taj Mahal. The story of its origin makes no less impression on the hearts of people ... A story that is more like oriental tale or a legend that any poet would envy...

. I suggest you familiarize yourself with 12 little-known wonders of the world, which can rightly bear the title of MIRACLE.

Ice towers and caves of Erebus volcano.

Mount Erebus- the second largest volcano in Antarctica, active since 1972. There are many ice towers on Erebus, formed as a result of steam emission due to volcanic activity. Many ice towers constantly emit steam. In addition to these chimney-like pillars, the volcanic mountain is home to a number of naturally formed ice caves, with blue, eerily cavernous underground chambers.

Rocks-tents of Kasha-Katuwe.

The rocks of the Kasha-Katuwe tent in New Mexico were formed approximately seven million years ago as a result of ash deposited by a pyroclastic flow from a volcanic explosion. As with most rock formations, weathering and erosion can be credited with creating the area's remarkable geography. Noticeably pointed tent-like stones get their interesting name from the native language of the area, and means "white cliffs". The rocks vary in height, sometimes reaching 30 meters in height.

Banaue Rice Terraces, Philippines.

The Banaue Rice Terraces are 2000-year-old terraces that were carved into Mount Ifugao in the Philippines by the ancestors of the indigenous people. The terraces are commonly referred to by Filipinos as the "Eighth Wonder of the World". It is believed that the terraces were built with minimal equipment, mostly by hand. They are located approximately 1500 meters above sea level and cover 10,360 square kilometers of the mountainside. It is estimated that if they were placed close, they would surround half the globe. The locals still grow rice and vegetables on the terraces to this day. The result is the gradual erosion of this wonder of the world, which is in need of constant renovation and care.

Lion Rock Sigiriya, Sri Lanka.

Sigiriya (Lion Rock) is the remains of an ancient mountain fortress and palace, located in the central Matale region of Sri Lanka, surrounded by the remains of an extensive network of gardens, reservoirs and other structures. A popular tourist destination, Sigiriya is also known for its ancient paintings (murals) which are reminiscent of the Ajanta Caves in India. Sigiriya was built during the reign of King Kassapa I (477 AD – 495) and it is one of Sri Lanka's seven World Heritage Sites. During prehistoric times, Sigiriya was inhabited. Used as a mountain monastery from about the 5th century BC.

Cave of Lechugiya.

One of the most popular little-known wonders of the world, Lechugia Cave is another location found in New Mexico. The cave is the seventh explored chain in the world, with a known length of 134.6 miles. The cave is the most famous spectacular gypsum and aragonite crystal formation. Prior to its discovery in 1986, Lechugia was untouched for hundreds of millions of years, being one of the most ancient ecosystems.

Krubera cave.

The Krubera Cave, located within the Arabica Mountains in Abkhazia, is the deepest known cave on Earth, with a depth of 2,191 meters. The cave is also known as Voronya, due to a large number birds nesting there.

Valley of Flowers in India.

Valley of Flowers, national park in India is one of the most beautiful wonders of the world on this list. There is something incredible about high peaks rising into clouds and steep slopes completely covered in lush vegetation and unique flora. The Valley of Flowers is home to many rare endangered animals such as the Asian black bear, Snow Leopard, Brown bear and blue sheep.

Valley of Glencoe in Scotland.

Located at the northern tip of Scotland, Glencoe is a narrow river valley that is often considered one of the most spectacular places in the country. The Glencoe Valley is home to a stunning variety of flora, as well as high peaks on either side and a crystal clear river running through its heart.

Quinta da Regaleira in Portugal.

Quinta da Regaleira in Sintra, Portugal includes a descending spiral staircase that leads to a variety of exits. The name comes from the belief that this place was the home of Masonic rituals. At the base lies the wind rose on the Templar's cross. Symbolism directly relates to life and death, common theme for initiation rituals.

Plitvice lakes in Croatia.

The Plitvice Lakes National Park is home to breathtaking views of beautiful open lakes and waterfalls. Contrasting deep blue with bright in green creates incredible landscapes that excite the imagination. The park is no less breathtaking even in winter, when some of the waterfalls and lakes freeze over. While in Croatia, be sure to visit Plitvice Lakes, one of natural wonders Sveta.

Wulingyuan in China.

Head to over three thousand huge sandstone pillars, many of which are towers over two hundred meters high - this is Wulingyuan in China. He is one of the most stunning natural objects in the world. The high pillars are composed of quartzite and sandstone and are karst formations. The incredible area is located one hundred and seventy miles northeast of Changsha and became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992, however it still remains relatively unknown to most of the world's population.

Monastery of Kei Gompa.

Ki Monastery or Kei Gompa is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery that perches spectacularly on a hill overlooking the small Indian village of Kibar. The monastery stands at 13,668 feet above sea level, and the village below is said to be the highest in India. Founded in the 11th century, Kei Gompa has experienced many turbulent events. It was repeatedly attacked, devastated by the Mongol armies, devastated by fires and earthquakes. Constant demolition and reconstruction has resulted in a box-like shape of the building, offering maximum protection.

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.

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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 sight of Egypt.
- amazing and extraordinary gift made by a mudem for his beloved wife. Beautiful, green gardens full of exotic plants, birds and animals have grown up among dusty Babylon.
Zeus statue in Olympia- only this miracle was located on the territory of mainland Europe. The Olympic Games have already been held for 300 years, and only then the construction of the majestic and main temple began.
Temple of Artemis of Ephesus- a beautiful building, burned for the sake of "glorification" of the name.
mausoleum in Halicarnassus- has stood in its place for a long time - nineteen centuries.
The Colossus of Rhodes- a huge statue of the sun god worshiped by the people.
Alexandrian lighthouse- not just a lighthouse, but a fortress city, on top of which a fire burned day and night. They brought firewood on mullahs along a winding road inside the building.

Detailed Description of the Seven Wonders

The Pyramid of Cheops

The ancient heritage of Egypt is located in the northwestern part of Cairo. The location points to 4 parts of the world and shows the unique accuracy of the structure. The greatest Egyptian wonder of the world was erected for 20 years. About a million slaves were used for its construction, the work of which continued even after the death of Pharaoh Cheops.

The area of the base of the 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 made a tunnel into the pyramid with the intention of profit, and as a result did not find any treasures.

Hanging Gardens of Babylon

They present a chic gift from Nebuchadnezzar, the Babylonian ruler, for his beloved wife. Subsequently, the wealth and splendor of the city was destroyed by a flood. Structures and buildings where gardens grew are washed out and broken under the influence of a powerful water flow.

Landmark misleads contemporaries about its location. Many archaeologists have made repeated attempts to find traces of the most ancient phenomenon.

Zeus statue in Olympia

Majestic Zeus was a masterpiece of jewelers. Author - Great master that time - Phidias. The wonders of the world described on Wikipedia say that the author spent about 10 years creating his creation. Until now, the dimensions of the statue have not been precisely determined, it is believed that the approximate height was 12-18 m.

The pedestal for the throne was of impressive size; fragments from Olympic Games and the life of the gods. On it sat a thunderer naked to the waist, supported at his feet by two lions. On the body is a golden cloak with images of animals and plants. There is a wreath on his head, the Thunderer holds a scepter in one hand, and a golden statue of the goddess of Victory in the other.

Temple of Artemis of Ephesus

Pilgrim Center ancient era located in Turkey. It was built by the Amazons, who were considered the founders of the city. Soon the city was burned by Herostratus. In the 6th century, the project of new construction under the leadership of Khersifron provided for white marble columns.

Its construction lasted 120 years and took place according to the same project, with a preliminary collection Money and jewels of the townspeople.

Good to know: on the day of the temple fire, Alexander III the Great was born, and the phrase "Gerostrat's glory" turned into a symbol of a bad deed.

mausoleum in Halicarnassus

The ruler Mausolus built his tomb under personal supervision. The three-level mausoleum towered 46 meters. Lower level was lined with marble. It contained the tomb of the king. The next level featured a colonnade supporting the roof, creating a pyramidal shape.

The top was personified by the figures of King Mausolus with Artemisia, who are in a chariot with 4 horses.

The Colossus of Rhodes

The islanders of Rhodes erected a monument to their patron Helios in gratitude for the victory against the invaders. The monument is the personification of freedom and independence of the inhabitants of the island. The statue has been under construction for 12 years. According to numerous descriptions of contemporaries, the Colossus was located on an embankment, which was a kind of gate to the city. In one hand the young man held the blazing fire of Helios.

The height of the statue reached 36 m. The retaining pillars of the structure's structure proved to be unreliable and after only 65 years collapsed as a result of an earthquake.

It is worth noting: fragile structures later became known as the term "Colossus with feet of clay."

Alexandrian lighthouse

The tower got its name from the city of the same name, located near the island of Pharos. The lighthouse performed its immediate role, illuminating the path of ships that got lost to the shore at night. The designer of the gigantic structure of 140 meters was Sostratus of Knidos.

Consisting of several tiers, the lighthouse served as housing for sailors and port workers. At the top of the octagonal tower was a source of light - a large fire. The unique creation served 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 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 Byzantium did not see any of the miracles described with his own eyes, and wrote about them according to 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, Sequester, Cassiodorus and others. However, they did not have a single idea and uniquely defined unique monuments.

Seven Wonders of the Ancient World

The well-known wonders of the world that have entered our lives are the wonders of the ancient world.

"7" is a number associated with the sacred god Apollo, signifying completeness and perfection in the view 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 the embodiment of architectural art. From the beginning of the Hellenic era, writings about unique monuments were distributed 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 has been completely preserved to our time. The Egyptian miracle of antiquity still keeps the secrets of the great ancestors. IN this moment this is the largest architectural construction of stone, reaching 137 m. During its existence, it decreased by almost 10 m.

Architectural sights that are of interest to many researchers in the world and make up the wonders of the world of the ancient world, have been partially preserved or in the form of a copy:

The lighthouse of Alexandria was destroyed by an earthquake and could not be restored. To date, only the fortress has survived.
A copy of Zeus is exhibited in the Hermitage. This is the tallest antique sculpture of our time with a height of 3.5 m.
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.
During 18 years of excavations, only the German historian Robert Koldewey managed to discover the gardens of Babylon. Buildings of Ancient Babylon and structures surrounding gardens have been found.

Seven wonders of the world of our time

On July 7, 2007, a list of 7 wonders of the world of our time was compiled. We will give a description and present a photo of each object.

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: protecting the territory from the Mongol invasion and creating a guarantee for the protection of one state from another. Inappropriate attention to the great structure gradually destroyed it in some places. Since the end of the twentieth century, a large-scale restoration of architecture began.

1997 was marked by the inclusion in the status of a miracle modern world. The architectural structure stretches for almost 9 thousand km, has a height of 6 to 10 meters.

Do you know that: the construction of the wall resulted in tens of thousands of deaths due to hard labor and epidemics.

Statue of Christ the Redeemer

The famous symbol of the Brazilian people is located at the very top of Mount Corcovado. Towering over 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 greets guests from afar.

The construction of the monument is dedicated to the 100th anniversary of independence. Funds for the construction were collected by all the inhabitants of the country. The detailed production of the statue took place in France.

Taj Mahal

The pinnacle of the Mongolian architectural style is the snow-white palace of the Taj Mahal, located on the banks of the Jamna. Construction was carried out 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 along 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 8th century, due to its impressive size, it began to be called.

At the beginning of its existence, gladiators practiced their art in the arena of the amphitheater. After the looting by the barbarians and the earthquake of the 14th century, the Colosseum was literally pulled apart brick by brick. Only since the 18th century, the building has been taken under protection as an important architectural mega-object.

Machu Picchu

So called 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 city 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

Jordanian Petra is a city in the rock, located above the sea at a level of 900 meters. The road to it is laid through a natural gorge, which acts as city walls.

The surviving ruins of houses built with the traditional stone method stretch for kilometers. Ad-Deir is a 45-meter monastery carved into the rock. The main attraction - the El-Khazneh mausoleum - still keeps the legend of countless treasures. Previously, the city carried out the mission trade route, connecting Damascus and the Red Sea areas.

Note: adventure film by Indiana Jones filmed in Petra.

Chichen Itza

Mexico is famous for the legendary city called, reminiscent of the consonance of legumes, loved by the way. local residents. Chichen Itza - the Mayan civilization, has a 24-meter pyramid Temple of Kukulkan, which has 365 steps.

How many days in a year, so many steps. The natural well located is Sacred Cenote. Its depth is "deadly" - 50 m. Previously, it served for the ritual of sacrifice. It is known that living people were dumped into the cenote. Now tourists swim in it.

The change of civilizations leaves behind a grandiose heritage of architecture, which has partially been preserved to this day. To the question - how many wonders of the world are in the world and which ones, now you can definitely answer. The emergence of new wonders is evidence that there are still many mysterious places in the world to explore and recognize their significance for all mankind.

We bring to your attention interesting film about the seven wonders of the world of the ancient world:

Photo gallery

The classic list of the seven wonders of the world has been known to us since school days, when we studied ancient history. Only the pyramids of Egypt have survived to our times, which can be seen by anyone who visits this country. The Pyramid of Cheops at Giza is the only surviving wonder of the world. The rest of the wonders - the Colossus of Rhodes, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the Lighthouse of Alexandria - collapsed over the centuries, some in fires and earthquakes, others due to floods.

The classic list of wonders of the world includes:

Pyramid of Cheops (the burial place of the pharaoh of Egypt) - created by the Egyptians in 2540 BC. e. ;
The Hanging Gardens of Babylon in Babylon - created by the Babylonians in 605 BC. e. ;
Statue of Zeus at Olympia - created by the Greeks in 435 BC. e.;
Temple of Artemis in Ephesus (built in honor of the goddess Artemis in Turkey) - created by the Greeks and Persians in 550 BC. e.;
Mausoleum in Halicarnassus - created by the Carians, Greeks and Persians in 351 BC. e.;
The Colossus of Rhodes was erected by the Greeks between 292 and 280 BC. BC e.;
Lighthouse of Alexandria - built in the IV century BC. e. lighthouse by the Greeks, and named after Alexander the Great.

All the photographs below with the wonders of the world are either models of how majestic buildings used to look, or what is left of them at the present time. It is a pity that they could not withstand natural disasters.

Some time later, cultural figures began to add additional sights, “miracles” to this list, which still surprise and inspire. So, at the end of the 1st century, the Roman poet Martial added only the rebuilt Colosseum to the list. After a while, in the VI century, the Christian theologian Gregory of Tours added the Ark and Temple of Solomon to the list of Noah.

Different sources mention different combinations of wonders of the world, for example, English and French writers and historians equated the catacombs of Alexandria, the Leaning Tower in Pisa, the porcelain tower in Nanjing, the Hagia Sophia Mosque in Istanbul to the wonders of the world.

New List of Wonders of the World

In 2007, a UN organization organized a vote to approve a new list of modern wonders of the world. Voted by telephone, Internet and SMS messages. And here's the final list:

Colosseum in Italy;
Great Chinese Wall;
Machu Picchu - the ancient city of the Incas in Peru;
Taj Mahal in India - a magnificent mausoleum-mosque in India;
Petra - the ancient city, the capital of the Nabatean kingdom, is located in modern Jordan;
a statue of Christ the Redeemer flying over Rio de Janeiro in Brazil;
the pyramids of Giza in Egypt;
Chichen Itza in Mexico, the ancient city of the Mayan civilization.

All of them have been preserved since ancient times, except for the statue of Christ the Redeemer, which was finally built in 1931 of the last century and since then has become a symbol of Brazil and one of its largest cities - Rio de Janeiro.

How to see them?

The new list of wonders has been officially approved by the UN, and now everyone who travels to the country can see them. Not a single excursion route will avoid visiting these sights. They are carefully preserved for future generations, but also used for modern needs.

For example, the Colosseum is known for its excellent acoustics. Famous singers and musicians from all over the world often perform there, operas are staged right in the open air.

The Taj Mahal is also open to tourists, but this is the tomb of the beloved wife of the padishah, so they only inspect it and admire the beauty of its architectural forms and internal painting.

Being in China and not visiting the Great Wall is considered simply indecent. Many excursions are led to it, but you cannot climb it: it is a huge obstacle course and it is dangerous to walk on it. Therefore, everyone is photographed at her sites in the most picturesque places.

The pyramids of Giza can be viewed from the outside and inside, and nearby you can see the grandiose statues of the ancient sphinxes.

Excursions to the ancient cities of Machu Picchu, Petra and Chichen Itza are extremely interesting, but physically difficult - you have to walk through the ruins for a long time. However, the rest of tourists in these countries is well organized, and you will not regret if you spend a day or two visiting these magnificent places.

Chichen Itza - the ancient city of the Mayan Indians

Why exactly 7 wonders of the world, and not 10 or 15?

As you have probably already noticed, people used to have a special attitude towards the magic number seven. Everyone knows that there are 7 holes on the human head - 2 eyes, 2 nostrils, 2 ears and a mouth. When a person sees seven objects at the same time, he can immediately count them with a glance, without even thinking, however, if there are more of them, he will have to count them in his mind.

Thus, because of seemingly such primitive conclusions, people began to strive to shine the amount of something to seven. For example, highlight 7 days in a week, seven colors in a rainbow, 7 tones in a sound range, and so on.

It is not at all surprising that the ancient Greeks singled out the Seven Wonders of the World, because the number 7 was the sacred number of Apollo, the god who patronized art.

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