The Great Wall of China

Northern China

Stretching over 13,000 miles, the Great Wall of China is an ancient series of walls and fortifications built to protect Chinese states and empires against raids and invasions. Its history dates back to the 7th century BC, with most of the existing wall built during the Ming Dynasty.

✦ Constructed over 2,000 years by various dynasties
✦ Made from stone, brick, tamped earth, wood, and other materials
✦ Contrary to popular belief, it cannot be seen from the moon with the naked eye
The Great Wall of China winding through mountains

Petra

Ma'an Governorate, Jordan

Carved into pink sandstone cliffs, Petra was the capital of the Nabataean Empire around 300 B.C. This ancient city features tombs and temples carved into rose-colored stone, earning it the nickname "Rose City." The site remained unknown to the Western world until 1812.

✦ Also known as the "Rose City" due to the color of the stone
✦ The Treasury (Al-Khazneh) is its most elaborate temple
✦ Featured in films including "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade"
The Treasury at Petra carved into pink sandstone

The Colosseum

Rome, Italy

Built between 70-80 AD, the Colosseum is an oval amphitheater in the center of Rome. It could hold up to 80,000 spectators and was used for gladiatorial contests and public spectacles. It remains one of the greatest achievements of Roman architecture and engineering.

✦ Construction completed in 80 AD under Emperor Titus
✦ Built of concrete and sand with a sophisticated drainage system
✦ Originally called the Flavian Amphitheatre
The Colosseum, an ancient Roman amphitheater

Chichen Itza

Yucatán, Mexico

A pre-Columbian archaeological site built by the Maya civilization, Chichen Itza was a major focal point of the Mayan Empire from 600 AD to 1200 AD. The site exhibits a multitude of architectural styles, from the dominant Puuc style to the Central Mexican style.

✦ El Castillo pyramid has 365 steps — one for each day of the year
✦ During the spring and fall equinoxes, shadows create the illusion of a serpent descending the pyramid's steps
✦ The Great Ball Court is the largest of its kind in ancient Mesoamerica
El Castillo pyramid at Chichen Itza

Machu Picchu

Cusco Region, Peru

Nestled high in the Andes Mountains, Machu Picchu is a 15th-century Inca citadel. Built around 1450 and abandoned a century later during the Spanish conquest, this mountaintop marvel remained unknown to the outside world until American historian Hiram Bingham brought it to international attention in 1911.

✦ Sits 7,970 feet above sea level
✦ Built with polished dry-stone walls that fit together without mortar
✦ The site includes more than 150 buildings ranging from baths and houses to temples and sanctuaries
Machu Picchu citadel in the mountains

Taj Mahal

Agra, India

An ivory-white marble mausoleum commissioned in 1632 by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan to house the tomb of his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The Taj Mahal is the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world's heritage.

✦ Took approximately 22 years and 20,000 workers to complete
✦ Incorporates and expands on design traditions of Persian and earlier Mughal architecture
✦ The marble changes color throughout the day, from pinkish in the morning to golden in the evening
The Taj Mahal reflected in its gardens

Christ the Redeemer

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

An Art Deco statue of Jesus Christ created by French sculptor Paul Landowski and built by Brazilian engineer Heitor da Silva Costa, in collaboration with French engineer Albert Caquot. The statue stands 98 feet tall and spans 92 feet wide atop the 2,300-foot Corcovado mountain.

✦ Constructed between 1922 and 1931
✦ Made of reinforced concrete and soapstone
✦ Weighs approximately 635 metric tons
Christ the Redeemer statue overlooking Rio de Janeiro

Wonder Details

The Palace Gardens - Asher Fulero