The 7 wonders of the world, oftentimes referred to as the seven wonders of the ancient world are each an architectural marvel of their own. Across continents, cultures and centuries these seven structures provide insight into how humans lived and developed throughout history.
The Great Pyramid of Giza
Built in c.2600 BC this pyramid stands at 455 feet tall. It serves as the resting place for Pharaoh Khufu, who ruled the Old Kingdom’s Fourth Dynasty. This is the only (of the seven) structures that is still standing today.
The Hanging Gardens of Babylon
The Hanging Gardens of Babylon; Standing at 75 to 80 feet tall the gardens were engineered in a tiered system including a large variety of shrubs, trees, vines and other plants. The gardens were built in the ancient city of Babylon which was located in present day Iraq.
The Statue of Zeus at Olympia
The Statue of Zeus at Olympia; This statue, sculpted by the Greek sculptor Phidias, depicts Zeus seated on a throne of painted cedar wood that is decorated with precious stone, gold, and ivory.
The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus
The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus; The second wonder to represent the Greeks is the The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, otherwise known as the Temple of Diana. Located in Ephesus, present day Turkey, the temple was dedicated to the goddess Artemis. Today only the foundation and some fragments can be found at the site.
The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus
The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus; The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, otherwise known as the Tomb of Mausolus, was built by the Achaemenid Persian Empire. The structure was about 148 feet tall and included many sculptural reliefs and free standing sculptures.
The Colossus of Rhodes
The Colossus of Rhodes; Built to celebrate the successful defense against Demetrius I attack on the city of Rhodes the statue stood at 108 feet high. This fantastic feat made the statue the tallest of the Ancient world. According to some sources the statue was destroyed by the muslim general Mu’awiya.
The Lighthouse of Alexandria
The second wonder built by the Egyptians was the Lighthouse of Alexandria. The lighthouse stood at 330 feet tall and was one of the tallest manmade structures for centuries. Ultimately, it was destroyed by multiple earthquakes.
