The Seven Construction Wonders of the World

The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World is a list of the most remarkable man-made creations of antiquity and only includes sites located around the Mediterranean rim. This list was compiled by historian Herodotus around the year 484 BC, and today the only ancient wonder that still exists is the Great Pyramid of Giza.

The seven wonders included: Great Pyramid of Giza - Hanging Gardens of Babylon - Statue of Zeus at Olympia - Temple of Artemis at Ephesus - Colossus of Rhodes - Lighthouse of Alexandria - Mausoleum of Maussollos at Halicarnassus

There were many lists compiled during the Middle Ages, which have now become known as the Wonders of the Medieval World. Many of these structures were built in much earlier times, and were well known and admired by the people of this age. Visitors flock to these sites today, and the list doesn’t really stop at seven.

Stonehenge in South Western England is still the subject of debate to this day. Archeologists continue to try to uncover the mysteries of this composition of earthworks, standing stones and burial mounds, with differences of opinion as to when it was built, and why. What is clear is that Stonehenge evolved in several construction phases spanning around 1500 years, utilizing great feats of human strength and engineering, to bring the massive stones weighing up to 50 tonnes each many miles across rugged countryside to their final resting place.

The Colosseum or Roman Coliseum , built in the 1st Century AD, originally known as the Flavian Amphitheatre stands in the centre of the city of Rome to this day, surrounded by roads buzzing constantly with modern day traffic. The Roman equivalent of a sports and entertainment stadium, the Colosseum was built out of travertine stones, held together with mortar in an entirely free-standing elipitical structure. The Colosseum has been used over the centuries for many different purposes and although in a relatively poor state of repair in modern times due to earthquake damage and stone robbers, attracts thousands of tourists each year.

The Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa are found in Egypt and are an astonishing and chilling relic of ancient times situated in the old part of Alexandria. Many of the structures above ground have been obliterated or badly damaged over time, however the underground catacombs are still there today for all to see.

Then there is the Great Wall of China built in a series of stone and earthen fortifications, to protect the northern borders of the Chinese Empire from the attacks of enemy dynasties. The Great Wall actually consists of several walls built over a long period of time. Sections of the wall are easily accessible in today’s modern Beijing as well as at other locations.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa was a building construction marvel when it was built and continues to be so today. Gradually leaning at an angle from not long after its construction, the structure continues its lean to the southeast to this day. Engineers have been battling to steady the structure for decades, and in May 2008 announced that the Tower had been stabilized and that it had stopped moving for the first time in its history, as a result of their efforts. They believe it will be stable for at least 200 years.

Some people think that the architectural beauty of the Taj Mahal has never been surpassed and that it is the most beautiful monument ever built. Built entirely of White Marble this wonderful construction seems to glow in the light of the moon, shimmer at dawn and sunset and float on the horizon on a foggy morning.

The Taj Mahal took twenty two years to build, employing twenty thousand artisans and craftsmen from around India, only to be allowed to fall into disrepair by the late 19th century. After British soldiers and government officials defaced the structure, chiseling out precious stones and lapis lazuli from its walls, massive restoration project was ordered by the British Viceroy, which was completed in 1908.

Today the Taj Mahal attracts millions of visitors each year, who marvel at the engineering prowess and beauty of the complex.

Hagia Sophia was the largest cathedral in the world for nearly a thousand years, until the completion of the Seville Cathedral in 1520. The current building was originally constructed as a church somewhere around A.D. 535, in Istanbul, Turkey.

Hagia Sophia is one of the greatest surviving examples of Byzantine architecture decorated with mosaics and marble pillars. The vast interior has a complex structure, revolving around a massive central dome, which is supported by an unbroken arcade of 40 stained glass windows arched under it. The dome and its structure have created interest for extraordinary architects and engineers for many years, because of the creative way the original architects designed the dome support. This ancient building is now a museum.

But we can go on and on.

All through time architects, designers and engineers continue to astound us with their achievements when it comes to buildings and structures. In our time, we have the Channel Tunnel linking the UK with Mainland Europe, the Panama Canal started in January 1880 and finished in January 1914, linking the Pacific Ocean with the Caribbean Sea and saving many tortuous miles and days for sailors from around the world. The Eifel Tower, The Golden Gate Bridge, The Empire State Building, Hoover Dam, Sydney Harbour Bridge... Where to stop, hopefully never, with today’s technology, knowledge, equipment and materials, the world is our oyster... now there is a good idea!