30 Greatest Man-Made Wonders of the World - Travel

 The earliest lists of Seven Wonders of the Ancient World were made more than 2,000 years

ago by ancient Hellenic tourists.

Except for the Great Pyramid of Giza those wonders no longer exist.

They were destroyed by earthquakes, fires and in one case by an angry mob.

Many other lists of amazing structures have been made since then.

Here’s a look at our list of the greatest man-made wonders of the world:

Number 30.

Lalibela Churches.

Built by King Lalibela to be the ‘New Jerusalem,’ the city of Lalibela in the Ethiopian highlands

is home to eleven incredible monolithic churches.

These were hewn from the top down into living rock between the 7th and 13th centuries, with

an intricate series of tunnels and passages connecting them.

Of these, the Church of St. George is undoubtedly the most impressive as it is so finely carved

out of the mountainside.

Set in the shape of a Greek cross, the church reaches a height of 40 feet, with amazing

artworks found within its atmospheric interior.

Number 29.

Leaning Tower of Pisa.

The world-famous leaning tower is known around the globe for its incredible four-degree tilt

that makes it seem as if the tower is about to topple over.

The amazing slanted belltower sits behind Pisa Cathedral and was built in the Romanesque

style.

Dating back to the 12th century, the tower took a whopping 199 years to complete, but

began to slant during its construction due to soft ground on one side.

Today, the tower – which stands at a wonky 55.86 meters tall – attracts tourists from

far and wide.

Number 28.

Himeji Castle.

The Himeji Castle is considered the best existing example of Japanese castle architecture.

It was fortified to defend against enemies during the feudal period, but it has been

rebuilt many times throughout the centuries and reflects the different design periods.

It survived the bombings of World War II and is frequently seen in domestic and foreign

films, including the James Bond movie “You Only Live Twice”.

The white exterior and design give the castle the appearance of a bird taking flight, earning

the the castle the nickname ‘white egret castle’.

Number 27.

Meenakshi Amman Temple.

Meenakshi Amman Temple is an impressive Hindu temple that dates back to the sixth century,

though most of the present structure was built a thousand years later.

It is the most important temple in Madurai, itself a 2,500-year-old city in South India.

Intricate carvings about inside and out; the temple has a total of 14 towers, each dedicated

to a god or person.

Though the statues on the towers were once plain, paint has been added to them over the

years during festivals, which has created the riot of color that can be seen today.

Number 26.

Sydney Opera House.

Regarded as a 20th century architectural masterpiece, the Sydney Opera House was designed and built

by architect, Jørn Utzon, to reflect the image of a huge sailing ship.

It houses multiple venues that together host more than 1,500 performances each year.

Surrounded by the beautiful scenery of the Sydney Harbour and the Royal Botanic Gardens,

the famous Opera House in Sydney is one of Australia’s most famous landmarks.

Number 25.

Leshan Great Buddha.

The Giant Buddha of Leshan is a gigantic Buddha statue carved out of a cliff face in western

China.

Begun in the year 713 during the Tang Dynasty, the statue was not completed until the year

803, and was the effort of thousands of sculptors and workers.

As the biggest carved stone Buddha in the world, the Leshan Giant Buddha is featured

in poetry, song and story.

The sculpture stands about 233 feet high and has 11 feet long fingers on each of its enormous

resting hands.

Number 24.

Golden Gate Bridge.

The Golden Gate Bridge is a suspension bridge spanning the Golden Gate, the strait between

San Francisco and Marin County to the north.

The bridge took four years to build, and was completed in 1937.

The Golden Gate Bridge was the longest suspension bridge span in the world when it was completed,

and has become an internationally recognized symbol of California.

The famous red-orange color of the bridge was specifically chosen to make the bridge

more easily visible through the thick fog that frequently shrouds the bridge.

Number 23.

St. Basils Cathedral.

Arguably the most iconic sight in Russia, this twisting Cathedral with its multi-colored

onion domes is set in Moscow’s equally iconic Red Square.

St Basil’s Cathedral was built by Ivan the Terrible in 1555.

The structure is a madly bright lollypop of strange styles that seem more like a funfair

and look unlike anything else in Russia.

Because of its unique architectural style and its historic links to a victorious battle

in Tatarstan, the cathedral is a symbol of Russia.

Number 22.

Alhambra.

Built on the ruins of Roman fortifications in 889, Alhambra is a combination palace and

fortress situated in Granada, Spain.

For almost 1,000 years, much of the Iberian peninsula was ruled by the Islamic Moors,

with Andalusia being their longest-held territory.

Today, you can explore its citadel, the oldest part of the fortress, climb up its watchtower,

explore the amazing Moorish gardens and courtyards, and be amazed at the delicate geometric patterns

throughout the complex.

The setting on the backdrop of the Sierra Nevada makes Alhambra that much more mystical.

Number 21.

Moai Statues.

With the tallest weighing in over 80 tonnes, the Moai Statues on Easter Island in Polynesia

are iconic.

In fact, you’ll probably recognize them from a picture even if you hadn’t heard

of them.

These 800-plus statues, most of which face away from the sea, were carved from volcanic

ash by the Rapa Nui people somewhere between 400 and 1500 AD.

Likely created using rudimentary basalt stone picks, each of these enormous monolithic statues

would have taken close to a year to complete.

There are many theories as to why they were built, including as a way to honor important

clan ancestors and because of a believe it would improve the soil.

Number 20.

Eiffel Tower.

Named after Gustave Eiffel, the unmistakable symbol of Paris is a sight that must be witnessed

when visiting the French capital.

Constructed between 1887 and 1889, the tower was originally built to be the impressive

entrance to the World’s Fair.

The tower stands at 324 meters tall and was amazingly the world’s tallest man-made structure

until the Empire State Building took the title in 1930.

Take the lift all the way to the observation deck of the tower and marvel at the views

of the Parisian boulevard and pattern of parks below.

Number 19.

Abu Simbel.

Counted amongst the most majestic monuments in Egypt, Abu Simbel consist of two massive

rock temples on the western bank of Lake Nasser.

The twin temples were originally carved out of the mountainside during the reign of Pharaoh

Ramesses The Great in the 13th century BC, as a lasting monument to himself and his queen

Nefertari.

The complex was relocated in its entirety in the 1960s to avoid their being submerged

during the creation of Lake Nasser, the massive artificial water reservoir formed after the

building of the Aswan Dam on the Nile River.

Number 18.

Ifugao Rice Terraces.

Photographers will want to have lots of memory cards with them when they visit the picturesque

Ifugao Rice Terraces on the island of Luzon.

For 2,000 years, people have been growing rice on terraces that follow the contours

of the Cordilleras Mountains.

The most famous ones can be found around the town of Banaue.

They were created by the Ifugao ethnic people without modern tools and are still used today.

Number 17.

Neuschwanstein Castle.

One of the architectural projects of “Mad” King Ludwig II of Bavaria, Neuschwanstein

Castle is the quintessential fairytale castle.

In fact, it was the castle’s soaring spires and romanesque revival style that inspired

Walt Disney’s Sleeping Beauty Castle.

Construction of the castle began in 1869, but sadly, Ludwig never got to live in his

castle; he died in 1886, the same year of the castle’s completion.

Set in South Bavaria among forested mountains and mirror-like lakes, the picturesque setting

of the castle is as impressive as the building itself.

Number 16.

Burj Khalifa.

The Burj Khalifa is a stunning feat of architecture and engineering, with two observation decks

and a restaurant-bar on the 122nd floor.

The world’s tallest building pierces the sky at 2715 feet and opened in January 2010,

six years after excavations began.

Up to 13,000 workers toiled day and night, putting up a new floor in as little as three

days.

Taking in the views from the world's tallest building is a deservedly crave-worthy experience

and a trip to the "At the Top" observation deck on the 124th floor is the most popular

way to do it.

Number 15.

St Peter's Basilica.

The center of the Catholic world, the Basilica of St. Peter is a huge church.

With an interior height of 400 feet the space shuttle, together with its booster rockets,

could fit inside, as could the Statue of Liberty.

The basilica stands on the traditional site where Peter the apostle was crucified and

buried.

Construction on the current building began in 1506 and was completed in 1615.

Many famous artists worked on the complex and its surroundings: Michelangelo designed

the dome while Bernini designed the great St. Peter’s Square.

Number 14.

Borobudur.

Crafted out of an impressive two million blocks of volcanic stone, Borobudur in Indonesia

is the largest Buddhist temple in the world.

Dating back to the 9th-century, it eventually fell into ruin until it was discovered again

in the 1800s.

Since then, it has been restored to its former glory and is particularly popular at sunrise.

The Borobudur monument consists of six square platforms topped by three circular platforms.

A pathway of enlightenment leads from the base of the pyramid up through the three levels

of Buddhist cosmology, the world of forms, and the world of formlessness.

It’s decorated with over 2,000 reliefs and 500 Buddha statues, each one outlining a Buddhist

teaching.

Number 13.

Temples of Baalbek.

Once known as the City of the Sun, Baalbek’s sprawling complex is home to some of the most

impressive Roman ruins around.

Of these, the two largest and grandest are the Temple of Bacchus and the Temple of Jupiter.

Created to be the largest temple in the Roman empire, the temple of Jupiter was lined by

54 massive granite columns each of which were 21 meters tall.

Only 6 of these titanic columns remain standing but even they are incredibly impressive.

The best preserved temple at the site is the Temple of Bacchus built in 150 AD.

Although the site was pilfered over the centuries for building materials, Baalbek is still a

significant historical site and is one of Lebanon's most popular tourist attractions.

Number 12.

Acropolis.

The Acropolis in Athens is a simply stunning sight.

This monumental hill is the location of a number of ancient sites that date back to

the 5th century BC.

Some of the attractions that crown the Acropolis include the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheum,

and, of course, the Parthenon.

Constructed at the peak of the Athenian Empire in 447 BC, the Parthenon is a symbol of Greece

and impresses with its innumerable columns.

After nightfall, the Acropolis is lit up with a glow that can be seen around Athens.

Number 11.

Chichen Itza.

One of the most famous archaeological sites on Earth, Chichen Itza was once a thriving

city on the Yucatan Peninsula.

Built by the Mayans in 600 AD, it was abandoned in 1221 when Mayapan became the region’s

new capital.

Highlights include the Temple of Kukulkan, a giant stone pyramid with four stairways

representing a compass and 365 steps for each day of the year.

It is best visited during the spring or fall equinox when the sun creates a light show

on the stairs of the pyramid.

Other must-see sites include the Ball Court, the Wall of Skulls, and the Sacred Cenote

that was once a site of human sacrifice.

Number 10.

Great Wall of China.

Spreading through 15 Chinese provinces and autonomous regions, the Great Wall of China

is the longest man-made structure in the world.

It is made up of a series of separate sections of walls and moats that were built over the

course of six Chinese dynasties as a defense from invaders.

Now well over 2,000 years old, some parts of the wall have fallen into ruin.

Interestingly, for those who wanted to attempt it, walking the entire length of the Great

Wall of China would take approximately 18 months.

[done - ancient ruins]

Number 9.

Christ the Redeemer.

Perched atop the 2,330 feet high peak of Corcovado in Rio de Janeiro, the statue of “Cristo

Redentor” stands with arms outstretched, gazing serenely out over the city.

Construction of the statue began in 1922 during the heyday of the Art Deco movement, and the

concrete and soapstone statue is considered the largest statue designed in the genre in

the world.

Most visitors take a vertical cog train to reach the base of the summit.

From there, visitors to the monument once had to climb hundreds of steps to reach the

top.

Today, elevators and escalators are available to shorten the trip.

Number 8.

Machu Picchu.

Machu Picchu is a magnificent representation of the Inca civilization before the Spanish

came.

Nestled in the Peruvian Andes, Machu Picchu served as a palace for the emperor, a fortress

and as a site for religious ceremonies where human sacrifices were made to appease the

gods.

Untouched by the Spanish, the site was abandoned after the conquest, only to be “discovered”

by an American professor in the early 1900s.

Built from polished stones, the city is a fascinating example of classical Inca architecture.

With its spectacular views, Machu Picchu is Peru’s most visited tourist attraction.

Number 7.

Hagia Sophia.

For almost 1,000 years, Hagia Sophia was the biggest cathedral in the world and is still

a fantastic structure to set eyes on.

Originally built as an Eastern Orthodox Cathedral in 537 when Istanbul was named Constantinople,

Hagia Sophia became an Ottoman mosque from 1453 and is today a museum for all faiths

to enjoy.

The dome of the Hagia Sophia is a marvel in itself, and the building as a whole perfectly

reflective of Byzantine architecture.

Walking around the building today, you can piece together the history of the city with

its intriguing murals and interesting artifacts.

Number 6.

Statue of Liberty.

The Statue of Liberty, a gift from France to the United States, stands upon Liberty

Island and is one of the most famous symbols in the world.

The construction of the statue was completed in France in July 1884 and arrived in New

York the following year.

From 1886 until the jet age, it was often one of the first glimpses of the United States

for millions of immigrants.

Lady Liberty on her pedestal stands at an impressive 305 feet, which visitors can climb

for views of Brooklyn and Gustave Eiffel’s supportive framework.

Number 5.

Colosseum.

One of the most famous buildings ever constructed, the Colosseum almost needs no introduction.

Lying in the heart of Rome, the enormous oval amphitheatre is one of the Roman empire's

greatest architectural triumphs and remains standing almost 2000 years after it was completed.

While three stories of huge arcades make up its outer wall, its interior boasts fantastic

views of the endless seating areas and subterranean network of tunnels and rooms, which used to

lie beneath the arena's floor.

Over the centuries, countless gladiatorial contests, animal hunts, and even mock sea

battles took place in the amphitheatre, which could hold up to 80,000 spectators.

One of the most iconic symbols of Imperial Rome, the Colosseum is a must-see sight due

to its awe-inspiring architecture, spectacular size, and historical importance.

Number 4.

Petra.

The Rose City of Petra is an ancient desert town that was carved out of pink sandstone

cliffs by nomads thousands of years ago.

Located in Jordan, tucked between the Red Sea and the Dead Sea, it’s hard to believe

the city was once filled with green gardens, palatial houses, and bustling markets.

Instead, a walk or camel ride through the ruins of Petra will reveal abandoned caves,

temples, and tombs hidden within the city walls.

The two-story Treasury carved into the rock face is one of the most beautiful landmarks

in the old city.

It’s worth viewing for the facade alone but the interior with its Indiana-Jonesy royal

tomb is worth a look.

Number 3.

Angkor Wat.

Angkor Wat is the most magnificent and largest of all the Angkor temples in Cambodia.

Built around the first half of 12th century, the temple’s balance, composition and beauty

make it one of the finest monuments in the world.

A huge rectangular reservoir surrounds Angkor Wat which rises up through a series of three

rectangular terraces to the central shrine and tower at a height of 669 feet.

This arrangement reflects the traditional Khmer idea of the temple mountain, in which

the temple represent Mount Meru, the home of the gods in Hinduism.

Number 2.

Taj Mahal.

Located in Northern India, the Taj Mahal is an immense mausoleum of white marble, built

by order of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his favorite wife.

The Taj is one of the most well preserved tombs in the world and one of the masterpieces

of Mughal architecture.

Called “a teardrop on the cheek of eternity”, the monument is actually an integrated complex

of structures.

Besides the white domed marble mausoleum it includes several other beautiful buildings,

reflecting pools, and extensive ornamental gardens with flowering trees and bushes.

Number 1.

Pyramids of Giza.

Arguably the world’s most famous landmark, the Pyramids of Giza lie on the outskirts

of Cairo, looking out over the endless sands of the Sahara.

The pyramids in Giza were built over the span of three generations during the Fourth Dynasty

of the Old Kingdom.

The Great Pyramid of Khufu is the oldest and sole remnant of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient

World.

The pyramid is an awe-inspiring 455 feet high making it the largest pyramid in Egypt, although

nearby Khafre’s Pyramid appears to be larger as it is build at a higher elevation.