Why the structures called the Wonders of the World

Wonders of the World are the collection of outstanding creation of human from classical antiquity to Modern World. These buildings or structures witness the whole span of human history, from the earliest time that Man began to make his mark upon the Earth. There is Seven Wonders of the World which is given below:

1. Great Wall of China

2. Petra

3. Christ the Redeemer

4. Machu Picchu

5. Chichen Itza

6. Colosseum

7. Taj Mahal

Let’s see why these building or structure is called wonders of the world.

• All monuments and buildings should be human-built and in an acceptable state of preservation. “Human built” signifies that the hand of Man must have been involved in the fashioning of the monument or building.

• Monuments and buildings should have artistic or architectural value. Purely technological wonders, whose sole purpose is the application or use of technology, and untouched natural wonders,.

• Monuments and buildings should reflect and celebrate the cultural and social diversity of the peoples of the world.

Now, let’s see characteristics of above Seven Wonders of the World.

1. Great Wall of China

Location: China

Constructed in: 7th Century BC

Made up of: stone, brick, tamped earth, and wood

Built by: Ming Dynasty

Why it was built: To protect the raids and invasions of the various nomadic groups of the Eurasian Steppe.

Special Features: Served as a transportation corridor, two trucks can drive parallel,

2. Petra

Location: Jordan

Constructed in: c. 100 BC

Made up of: rock-cut architecture and water conduit system.

Built by: Nabataeans Tribes

Why it was built: Built an ingenious system of waterways to provide the city with the precious liquid.

Special Features: Artistry of the Nabataeans, who created a spectacular city of elaborately carved freestanding temples and nearly 3,000 tombs, dwellings, banquet halls, altars, and niches, all cut into the rose-colored sandstone cliffs.

3. Christ the Redeemer

Location: Brazil

Constructed in: October 12, 1931

Made up of: Reinforced concrete and soapstone

Built by: Created by French sculptor Paul Landowski and built by the Brazilian engineer Heitor da Silva Costa, in collaboration with the French engineer Albert Caquot.

Why it was built: Cultural icon and symbol of Christianity across the world

Special Features: It is an Art Deco statue of Jesus Christ.

4. Machu Picchu

Location: Peru

Constructed in: c. AD 1450

Made up of: Mountain Stone and polished dry-stone walls.

Built by: Inca Empire

Why it was built: The section of the mountain where Machu Picchu was built provided several beneficial and detrimental factors like seismic activity.

Special Features: The classical Inca architectural style of polished dry-stone walls of regular shape.

5. Chichen Itza

Location: Mexico

Constructed in: c. AD 600

Made up of: Bunch of old rocks and stones

Built by: The Maya people of the Terminal Classic period

Why it was built: To protect lineage of Maya People and their contribution.

Special Features: The site contains many fine stone buildings in various states of preservation, and many have been restored. The buildings were connected by a dense network of paved causeways, called sacbeob.

6. Colosseum

Location: Italy

Constructed in: AD 80

Made up of: Concrete and sand

Built by: Flavian dynasty

Why it was built: Used for gladiatorial contests and public spectacles such as mock sea battles, animal hunts, executions, re-enactments of famous battles, and dramas based on Classical mythology.

Special Features: Largest amphitheatre and considered one of the greatest works of architecture and engineering. It is also a symbol of the international campaign against capital punishment.

7. Taj Mahal

Location: India

Constructed in: AD 1648

Made up of: Translucent white marble was brought from Makrana, Rajasthan, the jasper from Punjab, jade and crystal from China.

Built by: Shah Jahan, Mughal Dynasty

Why it was built: Symbol of Love

Special Features: The most spectacular feature is the marble dome that surmounts the tomb. The tomb is the central focus of the entire complex of the Taj Mahal. It is a large, white marble structure standing on a square plinth and consists of a symmetrical building with an iwan (an arch-shaped doorway) topped by a large dome and finial.

Images Courtesy: www.wikipedia.com , www.world.new7wonders.com