The New Seven Wonders of the World

The New Seven Wonders of the World

Where and what are they?

The Great Wall of China

The Great Wall of China was designed to protect against invasions from various nomadic groups, and found additional uses as a form of border and trade control. It functioned more symbolically, rather than practically. It's one of the most extensive building projects in the world.

• Built over a period of over 2,000 years.
• Construction began in 7th century BC.
• Length measurements are disputed.
• Didn't actually provide real security.

Chichén Itzá

Located in the Yucatán state of southern Mexico, Chichén Itzá is a ruined ancient Mayan city that comprised around 4 square miles. The most famous structure, El Castillo, was used for sacred rituals, as it brought them closer to the sky.

• A possible translation of the name is, "at the mouth of the well of the enchanter of the water."
• Established in the 6th century CE, invaded in the 10th century and in 1531, and by the end of the 1500s had been entirely abandoned.
• Was likely home to as many as 35,000 at its peak, a large cultural and commercial center.
• El Castillo has 365 steps, the same amount of days in the Mayan solar year.

Petra

Petra is an ancient city carved out of sandstone rock in what is now the country of Jordan. It was founded by the Nabataeans, an ancient nomadic Arab group, and became their capital city. It eventually fell to the Romans, and over time, was abandoned.

• Specific date of construction unknown, potentially built in the 5th century BC.
• Also known as the "Rose City" due to the color of the sandstone.
• Unknown to the western world until 1812 when a Swiss explorer discovered it.

Machu Picchu

The most iconic symbol of the Inca Empire, what remains of the citadel known as "The Lost City of the Incas" can be found in the Andes region of southern Peru. It was most likely constructed as a royal residence for Incan emperor Pachacuti.

• Built in the mid 1400s, it was abandoned only a century later, likely due to the Spanish conquest of Peru.
• Machu Picchu ("old peak") is not the name it was originally known as. It's true name is unknown.
• Crafted using dry-stone walls.
• Was discovered by a Peruvian explorer first, but became known internationally when an American explorer did the same shortly after, in 1911.

Christ the Redeemer

In Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, a massive statue of Jesus Christ presides over Mount Corcovado. Catholics in Rio organized to create the statue, as they wanted to counteract what they felt was a "tide of godlessness" in society.

• The youngest wonder on this list, at ony 94 years old as of 2025 (finished 1931).
• Made of reinforced concrete and soapstone, it is the largest Art Deco sculpture in the world.
• Often struck by lightning due to its high elevation, and has suffered damage many times in recent history.

Colosseum

The Colosseum is a nearly 2000 year old ruined ampitheatre located in Rome, Italy. It's shaped like an ellipses, and could hold up to 80,000 people, for events like gladiator fights, executions, dramas, and even mock naval re-enactments.

• Current name comes from the Ancient Greek word, kolossos, meaning "giant."
• Exists today in a partially ruined state due to earthquakes and stone robberies.
• In the days when in use, it was known as amphitheatrum.
• Over the years, nearly 400K died in the Colosseum.

Taj Mahal

Located in modern-day India, the Taj Mahal is a mausoleum comissioned in the 1600s by Shah Jahan, the fifth emperor of the now-defunct Mughal empire. It houses his tomb, as well as his late wife, who died giving birth to their 14th child.

• Built over a period of 22 years.
• Took over 20,000 workers to construct.
• Would cost roughly $827 million USD to build today.
• A relatively young wonder of the world - it is only 372 years old as of 2025.