Do You Know All 7 Wonders?

Everyone knows the Seven Wonders of the World, right? Well, that's what many people think, but even when you think about it a bit longer, you may not be able to instantly recall all seven architectural marvels. To ensure that you can list all the wonders effortlessly in the future, we have prepared something for you: marvel at the seven ancient wonders and take a look at the new wonders that our beautiful Earth has to offer!

The concept of the seven wonders is well known to us. But did you know that there is a distinction between the ancient and the new wonders?

The myth of the Seven Wonders dates back to antiquity. The writer Antipater of Sidon, a Phoenician author from the 2nd century BC, mentioned these impressive structures in an epigram, which is a short poem. Among them, still a popular destination for many tourists today, are the Pyramids of Giza. Unlike these, however, not much remains of the other ancient wonders apart from ruins. In some cases, it's even unclear if they truly existed.

The famous pyramids, located just about 12 miles outside Cairo, are not only the best-preserved wonder but also the oldest. They were constructed over 4,500 years ago at the beginning of Egyptian civilization. For this reason, these grand structures were designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979, alongside the Sphinx. The Pyramids of Giza - the name comprises three individual pyramids that served the Egyptians as tombs for their pharaohs: The Great Pyramid of Khufu is the largest and oldest of the three, followed by the Pyramids of Khafre and Menkaure.

The fact that the Egyptians built these impressive structures thousands of years ago with the limited resources available to them is truly a wonder, don't you think? Definitely, the Pyramids of Giza are worth a visit, we promise you that! ➝ Discover our offers for an exciting vacation in Egypt.

Someone was obviously impressed by the Pyramids in Giza as early as the 4th century BC: Mausolus II, a powerful satrap from Halicarnassus, began planning his final resting place in the style of the pyramids while he was still alive.

In the unique structure, Persian, Greek, and Egyptian architectural styles were combined, a complete novelty at that time! A huge columned hall was built on a cubic foundation, crowned by a statue of a horse-drawn chariot - the mausoleum (this is where the term originates) reached a height of 151 feet. Unfortunately, due to an earthquake in AD 1304, you can only marvel at the ruins of the tomb today, located at the popular vacation destination Bodrum in present-day Turkey.

After a long siege, which ended well for the Greek city of Rhodes in 304 BC, the inhabitants wanted to thank the sun god Helios and built a 98-foot-high bronze statue in his honor. It took 12 years to complete the enormous structure. According to legends, the giant stood with legs spread apart in the harbor of Rhodes, protecting the city from enemies, although other writings indicate that the statue was located in the center of the city.

Regardless of where the bronze giant stood, just 66 years after its completion, nature brought it down: During an earthquake in 226 BC, the Colossus was destroyed down to its ankles, and after the Arab conquest of Rhodes a few hundred years later, the last remnants of the statue vanished from the city. Since then, there has been no trace of this incredible wonder. If you spend your vacation in Rhodes, you definitely shouldn't miss a stop in the historically fascinating capital of the island.

In present-day Turkey, the ancient Temple of Artemis was built in honor of the Olympic goddess of the hunt. However, it took several attempts before the temple became what it is known as in the poems of Antipater as a wonder: after destruction, reconstructions, and several hundred years, the largest temple of its time finally stood. The temple complex was over 8,000 square meters, with 127 columns standing 60 feet tall and a massive stone roof forming a structure truly worthy of a goddess. You should definitely visit the ruins of Ephesus near Izmir during a summer vacation in Turkey, where you can also see many other ruins, such as the Library of Celsus.

The gardens are perhaps more famously known as "The Hanging Gardens of Babylon." Unfortunately, we cannot report much about this ancient wonder, as it is considered the least known - the existence of the gardens is always being questioned. The exact location of where they were is equally uncertain. However, accounts and writings suggest the ancient cities of Babylon and Nineveh, both located in present-day Iraq.

An impressive temple requires an equally impressive statue. It's no wonder, then, that the Temple of Zeus in the Greek city of Olympia was adorned with a statue approximately 39 feet high.

The representation of the supreme Olympic god, to whom the Greeks sent their pleas and wishes, wasn't as large as the Colossus of Rhodes, but surely just as impressive. The Greeks paid a lot for their godfather's statue: the structure was made of gold, ivory, and ebony, and took eight years to complete (438-430 BC). Unfortunately, there is no trace of the statue left; it was said to have been destroyed in a fire. You can still visit the remains of the temple during your vacation in Greece.

The small ancient island with the Lighthouse of Pharos off Alexandria is one of the seven wonders that remains least remembered. Yet the sheer size of the tower carved from white stone has impressed people for centuries; it was said to reach a height of 370 feet - moreover, it was likely the first lighthouse ever built. However, like with the others, nature's forces reduced its remains over the centuries until an earthquake in 1323 caused this wonder, completed around 282 BC, to disappear completely.

Since 2007, there have also been officially recognized seven new wonders. At a gala in Lisbon, celebrities like Hilary Swank, Ben Kingsley, and Jennifer Lopez announced the winners of the global vote on July 7, 2007, in which over 90 million people participated.

Some of the winners you may know, while others might not be so familiar to you. Hence, we present the new wonders in more detail here.

A unique collection of rock-hewn buildings - like a different fascinating world. Today, travelers can walk through the dried riverbed to the various structures and enjoy the unique rock architecture during their vacation in Jordan. Perhaps some of you have recognized the entrance of the building from the Indiana Jones films, so you can check off both a filming location and a wonder at the same time ➝ secure an amazing day tour online.

Imposing and impressive, the largest structure in the world stretches over 13,000 miles through China. Once serving as protection against enemies, today the massive wall has become a popular sightseeing spot where people from all over the world meet: The Great Wall of China is now one of the most visited structures in the world - and you can visit it ➝ secure an unforgettable tour online.

Mexico's history is as fascinating as it is diverse. Chichen Itza, the great city of the Maya, was one of the largest trade centers of the Maya and can be explored in the jungle today. The structure is even more impressive when you stand right in front of it ➝ secure your exploration tour here.

Especially the many myths surrounding the Mayan culture give one goosebumps. If you have the luck to stand in front of this fascinating piece of history, you will never forget the experience. Can't wait? Then check out our offers for a diverse vacation in Mexico.

The 105-foot-tall statue of Christ the Redeemer represents Rio de Janeiro like no other structure. Its outstretched arms seem to embrace the city. The Cristo Redentor has now become a Catholic pilgrimage site. Those who brave the ascent up the 2,300-foot Mount Corcovado will be rewarded not only with a wonder but also with a unique view of Rio de Janeiro. There's also a small chapel located at the base of the statue. Are you in Rio? ➝ You can find exciting day tours here.

Located centrally in Rome is the world-famous Colosseum, one of the most visited structures in the world. The ruins of this former amphitheater still radiate an impressive aura almost 2,000 years after its construction. Inside, you have a good view of the exposed catacombs. Although these are mostly destroyed, you can still feel some of the tension and fear that the gladiators must have felt before stepping into the arena before the eyes of the crowd.

The city in the clouds, built around 1440 by the Incas in the Andes, is now a highly popular tourist destination in beautiful Peru. No wonder, because here, at an altitude of 7,740 feet, visitors experience firsthand how the Andean inhabitants lived ➝ secure your sightseeing tour online now. Visitors call this place magical. In our travel magazine, you can find everything about Machu Picchu.

The impressive mausoleum in India was once erected by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan for his wife. He mourned her after her death, and even today, this white structure symbolizes eternal love.

We can assure you that even the anti-romantics among you will be overwhelmed by perhaps the world's most famous wonder. If you want to learn more about the Taj Mahal, take a look at our travel magazine ➝ or secure a day tour now for your next trip to India.

You must see the seven wonders-whether new or old-at least once in your life. We promise you that none of the structures will disappoint you when you stand before them-in fact: goosebumps are guaranteed!

Here, you will also find a handy map where we have marked all the wonders:

So, what do you think? Which other locations for an adventurous vacation with an exploratory character would you additionally include in this list?

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