In July 2007 the new 7 Wonders of the World were announced. The wonders were chosen contest style by people from around the world who voted online or by phone from 21 finalists. Selecting the New 7 Wonders of the World was the idea of Swiss film maker and museum curator Bernard Weber “to promote humankind’s heritage across the globe”. In 1999 he decided that the list of wonders needed to be updated. So he formed the New World Corporation (New 7 Wonders Foundation) and enlisted the help of people from around the world to choose the new 7 Modern Wonders of the World. First, criteria were established for selecting the new wonders; the structures must be man-made, finished by 2000 and in a state of preservation deemed “acceptable”.
A panel of experts was formed that included a well known architect (Cesar Pelli) and a former director-general of UNESCO (Federico Mayor Zaragoza). By November 2005 177 semi-finalists were selected. The list was narrowed down to 21 finalists in January 2007. Then people were asked to vote for their favorites.
The 21 finalists were:
The Acropolis of Athens, Greece; The Alhambra, Granada, Spain; Angkor Wat, Angkor, Cambodia; Chichen Itza, Mexico; Christ the Redeemer statue, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Colosseum, Rome, Italy; Easter Island statues, Chile; Eiffel Tower, Paris, France; Pyramids of Giza, Egypt; Great Wall, China; Hagia Spophia, Istanbul, Turkey; Kyomizu Temple, Kyoto, Japan; Statue of Liberty, New York City; Machu Picchu, Peru; Neuschwanstein Castle, Schwangua, Germany; Petra, Jordan. The Kremlin, St. Basil’s Moscow, Russia; Stonehenge, Britain; Sydney Opera House, Sydney, Australia; Taj Mahal, Agra, India; and Timbuktu, Mali.
An impressive list of man made wonders both new and old. Voting ended on July 7, 2007 with almost 100 million votes being cast. The winners are:
Taj Mahal, Agra, India.
This mausoleum was completed in 1630, built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan to honour his late wife, Mumtaz Mahal. It was built of white marble and is considered to be one of the best examples of Muslim architecture in the world. It combines Persian, Turkish, Indian and Islamic design. The Emperor bankrupted his county building it and was only able to see it from his small jail cell window. Today over 3 million visitors see it every year.
Chichen Itza, Mexico
Chichen Itza is located 179 km (112 miles) west of Cancun on the Yucatan Peninsula. Once the political and economic center of Mayan civilization this temple city dates from between 600 to 900AD. There are many well preserved stone building on the site including the pyramid of Kuklkan (El Castillo), the Temple of Chac Moo, Hall of the Thousand Pillars and the Playing fields of the Prisoners. Covering over four square miles, the site highlights Mayan architecture and attracts visitors from all over the world. There is an onsite museum and guided tours are available.
Great Wall of China
Deemed the longest man-made structure on earth it stretches from Shanhai Pass in the east 6,400 kms (4,000 miles) to Lop Nur in the west. An ancient feat of construction, the wall was built to protect the northern borders of China from the invading Mongol hordes. The earliest sections date between 220 – 200 BC to the time of the first Chinese Emperor. Today hordes of tourist visit the wall annually.
Petra, Jordan
Petra was the ancient capital of the Nabataean empire, under King Aretas IV( 9BC to 40 AD). It is situated on the edge of the Arabian Desert in a valley that runs from the Dead Sea to the Gulf of Aqaba. It was “discovered” in 1812 by a Swiss explorer and is considered a “grand example of Middle Eastern culture.” The Nabataeans, masters of water technology, are famous for building great tunnels and water chambers. The site consists of a 4,000 seat theatre, tombs, and a 42-meter-high (45.5 feet) Hellenistic temple facade.
Coliseum, Rome, Italy
An impressive amphitheatre built in 70AD by Emperor Vespasian, the coliseum had a seating capacity of 50,000 and hosted gladiator games, mock sea battles, animal hunts and executions for over 500 years. Damage by earthquakes and stone robbers, it is still a magnificent showcase to the glory of the Roman Empire.
Christ the Redeemer Statue, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Built in 1931, the Christ the Redeemer Statue is the newest of the new wonders. The 38 meter (41 foot) statue of Jesus overlooks Rio from Corovado Mountain. It was designed by Brazilian Heitor Da Silva Costa and built of concrete by French Sculptor Paul Landwoski. The statue celebrated its 75th Anniversary in October 2006. A chapel, named after the patron saint of Brazil, Nossa Senhora Aparecida, was consecrated by the Archbishop of Rio in honour of the anniversary.
Machu Picchu, Peru
A UNESCO world heritage site, set high in the Andes 2,430 m (2632 feet) above sea level, Machu Picchu is a magnificent example of an Inca city. Machu Picchu was built in the 15th century and abandoned shortly afterwards. It lay hidden in the mountains until 1911 when Hiram Bingham “discovered” it. Today it is the most visited place in Peru.
Not everyone agrees with the final selection of the new 7 wonders. Outpost magazine, a Canadian travel magazine associated with Hostelling International, held its own vote amongst its readers and the results were very different. Although Outpost readers agreed on Machu Picchu, The Great Wall of China and the Taj Mahal as being amongst the new wonders, the other four choices were the statues of Easter Island, Chile; Angkor Wat, Angkor, Cambodia; the Acropolis in Athens; and Stonehenge.
If would like to visit any or all of the new 7 wonders check out the following websites offering “7 Wonders in 70 Days for $7000” Be aware neither ATC or Travel cuts include the Christ the Redeemer Statue in their packages, instead they offers the Pyramids of Giza, in Egypt proving once again that everyone has their own views on the new wonders.
Adventure Travel Company
Travel Cuts
